Book Reviews Michael J. Berry, Ph.D., FACSM Book Review Editor Motor Learning and Performance: A Problem-Based Learning Approach, 2nd Edition Editors: SCHMIDT, Richard A., PhD (UCLA); WRISBERG, Craig A., PhD (Univ of Tennessee) Bibliographic Data: (ISBN: 0-88011-500-9, Human Kinetics Pub., Inc., 2000, $45.00) 339 pages, hard cover Audiences: Under- graduate Students, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Students Subjects: Sports Medicine, Psychol- ogy, Clinical Other Info: This book contains predominantly black-and- white figures, with some color figures. DESCRIPTION: This is an undergraduate text of concepts and principles underlying human motor learning and performance. A problem-based approach is used, as well as development of a conceptual model to in- tegrate and link information. PURPOSE: People learn and perform many simple and complex movements in various settings and venues. The main purpose is to introduce undergraduates to the fundamental pro- cesses underlying human movement. In particular, focus is placed on how humans learn and control skilled actions and how principles of motor performance and learn- ing can be useful in a variety of fields (teaching, coaching, rehabilitation, ergo- nomics, psychology, and physical and oc- cupational therapy). AUDIENCE: This book is most appropriate for undergradu- ates in all areas of the exercise sciences and pedagogy in physical education. It also might be applicable to students in the phys- ical and occupational therapies, as well as psychology. ASSESSMENT: This book is greatly improved over the first edition. It is more interesting to read, a better bridge between theory and application, and in- cludes relevant research without being overwhelming to the undergraduate. This second edition renders the first obsolete. The information presented is current and relevant to the undergraduate in the exer- cise sciences. It is correctly pitched for easy comprehension by undergraduates, espe- cially when compared to Rose’s Multilevel Approach to the Study of Motor Control and Learning (Allyn & Bacon, 1997). Be- cause the second edition contains more substantive information, it makes the book squarely competitive with its strongest competitor, Magill’s Motor Learning, 5th edition (McGraw-Hill, 1998). SCORE: Weighted Numerical Score: 95 - **** Reviewed by: Virginia Overdorf, EdD (William Patterson University) The Cardiovascular System at a Glance Authors: AARONSON, Philip I., PhD (King’s College, London); WARD, Jeremy P. T., PhD (King’s College, London) Bib- liographic Data: (ISBN: 0-632-04971-5, Blackwell Science, Inc., 1999, $26.95) 125 pages, soft cover Audiences: Med- ical Students, Residents Subjects: Car- diology, Physiology, General Medicine Other Info: The book contains black- and-white illustrations. DESCRIPTION: This book is focused on the cardiovascular system and is packaged with material that could be covered in a one-hour lecture. PURPOSE: The purpose is to provide a comprehensive yet concise review of cardiovascular topics integrating structure, function, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics. The intent is to pro- vide medical students what they need to pass exams. The authors accomplish these objectives. AUDIENCE: The text is di- rected to pre-clinical medical students, but could also be used by advanced students and medical residents in need of a quick review of a cardiovascular topic. ASSESS- MENT: This is a good text for medical students who need a focused review on a cardiovascular topic. SCORE: Weighted Numerical Score: 89 - *** Reviewed by: John F. Moran, MD, FACP (Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine) Quantitative Ultrasound: Assessment of Osteoporosis and Bone Status Editors: NJEH, Christopher F., PhD (UCSF); HANS, Didier, PhD (UCSF); FUERST, Thomas, PhD (SYNARC, INC); GLUER, Claus-C., PhD (Chris- tian-Albrechts-Universitat Kiel); GENANT, Harry K., MD (UCSF); Biblio- graphical Data: (ISBN: 1-85317- 679-6, Blackwell Science, Inc., 1999, $125.00) 420 pages, hard cover Audi- ences: Osteoporosis Specialists, Radi- ologists Subjects: Diagnostic Radiol- ogy, Orthopedics, Endocrinology/ Metabolic Disease Other Info: The book contains black-and-white illustra- tions. DESCRIPTION: This is a comprehen- sive textbook on the use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to assess skeletal sta- tus, with a heavy focus on osteoporosis. PURPOSE: While dual X-ray absorpti- ometry (DXA) is the primary modality used in osteoporosis studies, QUS has potential for widespread use in this area. The stated purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive presentation of the use of QUS in osteoporosis. This is the first textbook with this focus, and the editors certainly meet their objective. AUDIENCE: The book is targeted at re- searchers and clinicians involved in bone-related diseases. However, due to the technical nature of the book and the specialized nature of the subject, it is most suitable as a reference for those clinicians and researchers already in- volved in QUS. The editors and contrib- utors are authorities in their respective areas. FEATURES: This book is orga- nized into six sections. The first section deals with biomechanics, physics, and statistics. The second is a review of cur- rent devices and quality assurance. The third is a review of in vitro studies. The fourth and largest section covers clinical utility. The fifth section consists of short chapters on clinical QUS experience in various areas of the world. The last sec- tion is a chapter on future research direc- tions. The strengths of this book are in- depth technical discussions, the evaluation of QUS in relation to DXA, and a comprehensive review of the 879 The copyright to the book reviews appearing in MSSE are the property of Doody Publishing, the foremost publisher of reviews of health sciences books. Members of the American College of Sports Medicine have free access to Doody’s Review Service through ACSM’s home page. The ratings are divided into five groups, and each group is assigned one to five stars.      97–100 90 –96 69–89 47– 68 below 46 Exceptional book with nearly flawless execution Outstanding book, with minor problems in execution Very good book, but usually with one or more fairly significant flaws Average book, usually with several flaws (or one major flaw) or significant weakness versus its competition Substandard book