Includes bibliographical references and index.

Why study physical activity and health? / Claude Bouchard, Steven N. Blair, and William Haskell -- Historical perspectives on physical activity, fitness, and health / Russell R. Pate -- Physical activity and fitness with age, sex, and ethnic differences / Peter T. Katzmarzyk -- Sedentary behavior and inactivity physiology / Marc Hamilton and Neville Owen -- Metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory responses to physical activity / Edward T. Howley -- Acute response to physical activity and exercise / Adrianne E. Hardman -- Hormonal response to regular physical activity / Peter A. Farrell -- Skeletal muscle adaptation to regular physical activity / Howard J. Green -- Response of liver, kidney, and other organs and tissues to regular physical activity -- Roy J. Shephard -- Physical activity, fitness, and mortality rates / Michael J. LaMonte and Steven N. Blair -- Physical activity, fitness, and cardiac, vascular, and pulmonary morbidities / Ian Janssen -- Physical activity, fitness, and obesity / Robert Ross and Ian Janssen --

Physical activity, fitness, and diabetes mellitus / R. Jan-Willem Middelbeek, Oscar Alcazar, and Laurie J. Goodyear -- Physical activity, fitness, and cancer / I-Min Lee -- Physical activity, fitness, and joint and bone health / Jennifer Hootman -- Physical activity, fitness, and children / Thomas Rowland -- Risks of physical activity / Evert A.L.M. Verhagen, Esther M.F. van Sluijs, and Willem van Mechelen -- Physical activity, fitness, and aging / Loretta DiPietro -- Physical activity and brain functions / Kirk I. Erickson -- Exercise and its effects on mental health / John S. Raglin and Gregory S. Wilson -- Dose response issues in physical activity, fitness, and health / William L. Haskell -- From science to physical activity guidelines / Mark S. Tremblay and William L. Haskell -- Genetic differences in the relationships among physical activity, fitness, and health / Tuomo Rankinen and Claude Bouchard -- An integrated view of physical activity, fitness, and health / William L. Haskell, Steven N. Blair, and Claude Bouchard.