This innovative text incorporates two new integrative approaches to exercise physiology. The first integrative approach unifies basic scientific facts with applied concepts in a manner that facilitates student learning and instructor presentation. Each of the three major units (the cardiovascular-respiratory system, the metabolic system, and the neuromuscular-skeletal system) follows a consistent sequence of presentation, namely: basic anatomy and physiology (including neurohormonal regulation), the measurement and meaning of exercise physiology variables, exercise responses, training principles and adaptations, and special applications, problems, or considerations.

The second integrative approach brings together the available information relevant to all age groups and both sexes throughout the text. All of the populations encountered by professionals in the workplace (children, adolescents, young to middle aged adults and the elderly) are considered within each chapter. Coverage of special topics such as strength training for children, post-menopausal osteoporosis, eating disorders in adolescents and young adults, and immunology and overtraining in elite athletes highlights specific age and sex concerns. In addition, all charts and graphs are color-coded to represent the representative population.

Active learning is emphasized throughout the text. Students are occasionally asked to interpret circumstances or deduce answers as they read. Equations and examples are presented for the students to work. Boxes are included which present questions of understanding with answers provides at the end of each chapter. Finally, each chapter ends with essay type review questions with answers provided in the instructor's resource manual.