Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health

Harold (Bill) Kohl III is a professor of epidemiology and exercise science at the University of Texas. Before this, he worked as the lead epidemiologist at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Kohl has worked in the area of physical activity and health since 1984, this has including conducting research, developing intervention programmes and advising on policy issues. Kohl’s other areas of specialisation are biostatistics and health promotion. ;;Tinker Murray is a professor of health and human performance at Texas State University. His research interests include school-based and clinical-based youth physical activity interventions for the prevention of obesity and diabetes, coach education and personal fitness and training applications relating to exercise physiology. Since 1984, he has been at Southwest Texas and Texas State University, where he has served as both the director of employee wellness and the director of the exercise performance laboratory. ;;Deborah Salvo is an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Texas.

Part I. Introduction to Physical Activity and Public Health

Chapter 1. Fundamentals of Public Health
Defining Moments in Public Health
Areas of Specialization in Public Health
Core Functions of Public Health
Public Health Law

Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Kinesiology
Kinesiology Subdisciplines and Exercise Training
Principles of Exercise Training, Prescription, and Planning
Applying Physical Activity and Exercise Training Principles
Health and Fitness Benefits of Physical Activity and Exercise

Chapter 3. Integrating Public Health and Physical Activity
History of Physical Activity and Public Health
Role of Physical Activity in Chronic Disease Development
From Science to Practice and Back
Promoting Physical Activity for Health
Practitioners of Physical Activity in Public Health

Chapter 4. Measuring Physical Activity
Evidence-Based Recommended Levels of Physical Activity for Health
Laboratory Measures of Energy Expenditure
Electronic Devices to Measure Physical Activity
Direct Observation Techniques
Self-Report Instruments
Surveillance in Populations
Combining Measurement Approaches

Part II. Health Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity

Chapter 5. Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Health
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
Kinesiology and Cardiorespiratory Health
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments
General Recommendations for Cardiorespiratory Health
Prevalence and Economic Costs of Metabolic Disease
Metabolic Disease Risk Factors
Kinesiology and Metabolic Health
Common Tests of Metabolic Function
General Recommendations for Metabolic Health

Chapter 6. Overweight and Obesity
Caloric Balance
Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight and Associated Health Consequences
Obesity and Overweight Risk Factors
Obesity and Overweight Challenges
Kinesiology and Body Weight
Common Assessments of Obesity and Overweight
Physical Activity Guidelines for a Healthy Weight

Chapter 7. Musculoskeletal and Functional Health
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Health Challenges
Risk Factors Associated With Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Health Challenges
Kinesiology and Musculoskeletal Health
Common Tests of Musculoskeletal Fitness or Function
Physical Activity and Musculoskeletal Health
Functional Health
Risk Factors for Poor Functional Health
Common Tests of Functional Health
Fitness Recommendations for Functional Health

Chapter 8. Cancers
Prevalence of Cancers    
Cancer Risk Factors
Kinesiology and Cancers
Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors
Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Prevention

Chapter 9. Brain Health
Prevalence and Economic Costs of Brain Health Disorders
Common Brain Health Conditions
Risk Factors Associated With Brain Health Disorders
Physical Activity and Brain Health
Physical Activity and Brain Cognitive Function
Physical Activity Guidelines for Brain Health

Chapter 10. Health Risks of Exercise and Physical Activity
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Kinesiology and Musculoskeletal Injuries
Sudden Adverse Cardiac Events

Part III. Strategies for Effective Physical Activity Promotion

Chapter 11. Informational Approaches for Promoting Physical Activity
Understanding the Community Guide
Rationale for Informational Approaches

Chapter 12. School-Based Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity
Rationale for School-Based Physical Activity Programs
Kinesiology and Physical Activity Outcomes for Youth
School-Based Physical Activity and Physical Fitness Assessments of Youth
Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
International and National Trends in Youth Physical Activity Levels
School-Based Physical Education
Developmental Considerations for Physical Activity in Youth

Chapter 13. Behavioral and Social Approaches to Understanding and Promoting Physical Activity
Behavioral Theories and Theoretical Models of Behavior Change
Social Support for Health Behavior Change
Individually Adapted Health Behavior Change Programs
Socio-Ecological Model of Behavior
Social Support Interventions in Community Settings    

Chapter 14. Environmental and Policy Approaches to Promoting Physical Activity
Access
Urban Design
Measuring the Built Environment
Physical Activity Policy
Land Use Policy
Co-Benefits of Activity-Promoting Environments and Policies

Chapter 15. Program and Policy Evaluation for Physical Activity and Public Health
Ways to Measure Program and Policy Effectiveness
Logic Models for Physical Activity Promotion and Policies
Evaluation Designs
Data Collection and Analysis
Publishing and Communicating Results

Chapter 16. Partnership Development and Advocacy
Key Factors in Building Partnerships
Strategies for Physical Activity Advocacy