A history of health & fitness : implications for policy today

« This book provides a unique and succinct account of the history of health and fitness, responding to the growing recognition of physicians, policy makers and the general public that exercise is the most potent form of medicine available to humankind. Individual chapters present information extending from the earliest reaches of human history to the present day, arranged in the form of 30 thematic essays covering topics from the supposed idyll of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and its posited health benefits to the evolution of health professionals and the possible contribution of the Olympic movement to health and fitness in our current society. Learning objectives are set for each topic, and although technical language is avoided as far as possible, a thorough glossary explains any specialized terms that are introduced in each chapter. The critical thinking of the reader is stimulated by a range of questions arising from the text context, and each chapter concludes with a brief discussion of some of the more important implications for public policies on health and fitness today and into the future. The material will be of particular interest to graduate and undergraduate students in public health, health promotion, health policy, kinesiology, physical education, but will be of interest also to many studying medicine, history and sociology. »-- Quatrième de couverture Contents Introduction Chapter 1: Those Pesky Dates: A Simple Time Line for the Evolution of Society Introduction Nomadic Populations Early Urban Civilizations The Classical Era The “Dark Ages”/Mediaeval Era The Renaissance The Enlightenment The Victorian Era The Modern Era The Post-modern Era Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 2: The Hunter-Gatherer Idyll Introduction Energy Demands of Hunting and Gathering The Issue of Rest Days Energy Demands of Games Resulting Levels of Health Resulting Levels of Fitness Attitudes to Health and Fitness Effects of Acculturation Attempts to Recreate the Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 3: Irrigation and the Seductive Sedentary Lifestyle Introduction Daily Energy Expenditures Resulting Levels of Health Resulting Levels of Physical Fitness Attitudes to Health and Fitness Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 4: Evolution of the Sedentary Lifestyle in Classical Culture Introduction Crete: The Minoan Culture Greek Civilizations Roman Civilization Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 5: Were the Lights Turned Off During the “Dark Ages?” Introduction Economy and Government Sport and Fitness Health and Fitness Attitudes to Health and Fitness Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 6: The Renaissance: Daring to Challenge Traditional Wisdom Introduction Sports and Recreation Habitual Physical Activity Health and Fitness Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 7: The Enlightenment: How Far Did Reason and Religion Influence Health and Fitness in an Age of Industrialization? Introduction Habitual Physical Activity Sport and Recreation Water Sports Boxing Lacrosse Dancing Strolling Sedentary Recreation Physical Fitness Attitudes of Physicians, Scholars and Church Leaders Scholars Church Leaders Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 8: The Victorian Era: A Wealthier Society Offers New Recreational Possibilities, Especially to Women Introduction Physical Activity Sports and Recreation Water Sports Sedentary Recreation Health Physical Fitness Attitudes to Health and Fitness Politicians and Statesmen Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 9: The Modern Era: Growing Health in the Face of Unemployment and War Introduction Sport and Recreation Aquatic Activities New Forms of Team Sport New Forms of Individual Activity Sedentary Activities Health Nutritional Status Physical Activity The Assessment of Physical Fitness Attitudes to Health and Fitness Philosophers Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 10: The Ludic Impulse: Why Did Early Societies Engage in Play? Introduction Neolithic Societies Tarahumara Indians The Aztecs Mayan Civilization Inca Civilization Minoan and Etruscan Civilizations Mediaeval Europe Practical Implications for Society Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 11: The Classical Olympic Movement: An Early Stimulus to Health and Fitness? Introduction The Classic Olympiad Other Major Athletic Contests in Classical Greece The Ideal of Amateurism in Classical Greece The Classical Greek Regimen of Athletic Training Nutrition of the Greek Athlete Age and Sex Categorization of Competitors The Problem of Athletic Injuries Death After Running a Marathon Distance: The Specific Case of Pheidippides Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 12: The Modern Olympics: A Current Stimulus to Health and Fitness or a Five-Ring Circus? Introduction Progression of Athletic Records Opportunities for Female Participation The Progressive Erosion of Amateurism in Olympic Sport Politicization of Olympic Competition Doping and Other Abuses of Olympic Competition Other Abuses of Fair Competition Costs and Benefits of Competition; Is There a Health and Fitness Dividend? Other International Sports Events Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 13: The Early Health Professionals – Unfettered Amateurs, Servants of the Gods or Wealthy Charlatans? Introduction Egypt Israel India Classical Minoa and Greece Middle Ages Medical Care in the New World During the Enlightenment Professional Regulation Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 14: Herb Gardens, Naturopathy and Human Health Introduction Israel Minoans Mediaeval Era Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 15: Bizarre By-ways in the Search for Good Health Introduction The King’s Touch Tar Water Static Electricity, Magnetism and Electrical Shock Treatments Homeopathy Stimulation and Asthenia Hydrotherapy Naturism Anthroposophical Medicine Osteopathy Chiropractic Acupuncture Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 16: Caring for the Sick: Hospitals and Hospices Introduction Cappadocia Baghdad Mediaeval Europe Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 17: The Emergence of Health Science Education Introduction The Arab World and the Nestorian Connection Europe North America Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 18: Literature in the Search for Health and Fitness Introduction Development of General Medical Literature Texts of Sports Medicine, Health and Fitness Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 19: Teaching Health and Fitness to the Growing Child: The Physical Educator Introduction Physical Education in Ancient Persia Physical Education in Ancient India Physical Education in Classical Athens and Sparta Physical Education in Mediaeval Europe Physical Education During the Renaissance The Enlightenment Physical Education in the Victorian and Modern Eras Physical Education in the Post-modern Era Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 20: Co-opting Fitness and Sport for Political Objectives Introduction Italy Germany Russia Soviet Physical Activity and Sports Programmes for Adults France United States Britain Canada Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 21: Governmental Involvement in Health Care and Health Promotion Introduction Health Care in the Arabic World Health Care in Mediaeval Europe Health Care in the Post-modern Era Improved Health Services and Life Expectancy Nazi Subversion of Medical Expertise Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 22: Building the Infrastructure and Regulations Needed for Public Health and Fitness Introduction Early History Classical Civilizations The Arab World Mediaeval Europe The Renaissance The Enlightenment The Victorian Era Current Challenges to Public Health Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 23: Health and Fitness in Industry: The Development of Occupational Health Introduction Early History The Twin Scourges of Slavery and Child Labour Occupational Physicians and Workplace Safety Health-Care Delivery in the Workplace Equal Opportunity Employment Health and Fitness of the Armed Forces Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 24: Understanding the Root Causes of Ill-Health: The Emergence of Epidemiology, Bacteriology and Immunology Introduction Epidemics Affecting Classical Civilizations The Renaissance Understanding of Epidemics Epidemics During the Enlightenment Beginnings of Epidemiology and Bacteriology During the Victorian Era Introduction of Chemotherapy, Antibiotics and Vaccines During the Modern Era Epidemics of Chronic Disease Immunology in the Post-modern Era Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 25: The Feminine Touch in Health and Fitness Introduction The Systematic Exclusion of Women from Medical Schools Gender Bias in Health and Fitness Research Opportunities for Women in Nursing The Growing Political Voice of Women Range of Opportunities for Women to Exercise The Impact of Altered Dress Codes and Greater Female Emancipation Birth Control Exercise Initiatives Addressed Specifically to Women Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 26: The Emergence of Professional Associations and Journals in Health and Exercise Science Introduction Professional Societies and Journals Physical Education Landmark Textbooks The Key Role of Professional Certification Practical Applications to Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 27: The Growing Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology Through to the Enlightenment Introduction Anatomy and Physiology in Early History Anatomy and Physiology During the Classical Era The Middle Ages The Renaissance The Enlightenment Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 28: Recent Gains in Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology Introduction Knowledge of the Circulation Respiration Muscle Physiology and Biochemistry Body Composition Evolution Exercise in Extreme Environments Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 29: Exercise as Medicine in Antiquity and Today Introduction India China Classical Greece Modern Exercise Is Medicine Movement Practical Implications for Current Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Chapter 30: The Post-modern Era and Beyond: Meeting Future Challenges to Health and Fitness Introduction Quality Control of Laboratory Data Mass Screening Mass Fitness Testing Critique of Population Surveys Secular Trends in Sport and Leisure Activities New Training Techniques Fitness and Aging Rehabilitation Programmes Genetics of Health and Fitness Practical Implications for Current and Future Policy Questions for Discussion Conclusions Further Reading Glossary