IRB Media Summary of Doug McGuff and John R. Little's Body By Science

Annotation

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 Health is a state of being that is lacking a precise definition. The fitness industry offers no definitions, nor does the medical industry.#2 Health is the body's ability to maintain the necessary balance between the catabolic and anabolic states. Fitness is the body's ability to withstand, recover from, and adapt to environmental threats.#3 The distinction between exercise and physical activity is that exercise is purposefully directed activity that stimulates the body to produce a positive adaptation in one's level of fitness and health. Physical activity in general, while yielding the potential to produce certain adaptations in one's fitness and health, can also undermine one's health.#4 The idea that athletes are healthy because they are fit is false. Many athletes who compete at a world-class level do not achieve that level of world-class performance in a way that enhances their health. This is because it is not possible to do so.