Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 31: 643 (2006) doi:10.1139/H06-041 © 2006 NRC Canada

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BOOK REVIEW / CRITIQUE DE LIVRE

Client-centered exercise prescription. 2nd ed. J.C.Griffith. Human Kinetics, Champaign, Ill. 2006. Softcover, 328 pp. CAD $58.95. ISBN 0736054952.

When planning exercise programmes for the general pop-ulation, it is administratively convenient to think in terms ofsubstantial classes, where all participants follow a compara-ble progressive regimen. However, this approach ignores dif-ferences in both initial physical condition and potential forprogression; moreover, it imposes a heavier burden uponthose who are obese or poorly coordinated. These factorsprobably contribute to the high “drop-out” rates from manyexercise classes.

John Griffith is coordinator of the Fitness and LifestyleManagement Program at George Brown College in Toronto,Ont. He quite properly stresses the need for individualizedprescriptions that clients are willing to accept for them-selves. In particular, he argues that the focus should be onfinding the abilities, goals, needs, and limitations of eachnew recruit.

First published in 1998, the second edition of his book in-cludes new material on physical activity counselling, clientmotivation, and very practical step-by-step exercise prescrip-

tion models. After a discussion of motivation and assess-ment, there are chapters that address cardiovascular andresistance training, muscle balance and flexibility, weightmanagement, and the prevention and treatment of injuries.Each chapter begins with a clear outline of the competenciesto be developed. The text includes many case studies, plustables and forms that are helpful in monitoring the individ-ual’s progress, and each chapter concludes with an extendedsummary.

The book is written primarily for community collegegraduates who are on the front-line of exercise programmemanagement for sedentary but otherwise healthy adults.However, there are some 300 references for further reading,and the text may find application in some first-year physicaleducation practica.

Roy J. ShephardFaculty of Physical Education and Health and the

Department of Public Health SciencesFaculty of MedicineUniversity of TorontoToronto, Ont.

Received 9 June 2006. Accepted 9 June 2006. Published on the NRC Research Press Web site at http://apnm.nrc.ca on 3 October2006.