Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications

By Thomas D. Fahey, George A. Brooks, Timothy P. White, et al.

Book Overview

The essential text for graduate students studying exercise physiology.

Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications, Sixth Edition, provides advanced exercise physiology students with the high-level background information needed to excel in the field of exercise physiology. With guidance from expert authors at the forefront of exercise physiology, explore the interrelationship of exercise, metabolism, and energy storage.

With special attention devoted to revisions that add clarity and consistency throughout the text, the sixth edition also contains a wealth of other updates:

More information on the lactate shuttle theory--from lead author George Brooks, the developer of the conceptUpdated content covering metaboreflex, lipid metabolism, and pulmonary ventilationExpanded discussion of the control of gene expression of muscle proteinNew content on diseases and guidelines on prevention and managementUpdated information on metabolite homeostasis

Often referred to as the "bible of the field," Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications unpacks the principles of bioenergetics, taking readers through the mechanisms of performance as determined by physical and chemical factors. The evolution of exercise physiology as a field is traced back through history, framing present-day breakthroughs through the lens of historical practices. Readers will investigate the capabilities and limits of human physical function, examining exercise not just from a high-performance perspective but also in terms of health benefits.

The text has added pedagogical learning aids that make engaging with the content easier, such as chapter objectives, chapter summaries, and review questions. Original figures and tables from the authors encourage critical thinking and help with the practical application of concepts in the book.

Students can rest assured that they are learning from legends with the sixth edition of Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications. With updated content and new breakthroughs, as well as the book's reputation as a must-use resource, this text is the best choice for graduate students in exercise physiology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1718235828
• ISBN13: 9781718235823
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
• Length: 800 Pages

Customer Reviews

Simply Awesome

There's no other quite like it - Brooks' is the best there is...

Gold Standard

This work is the Gold Standard to which all other Exercise Physiology books are measured. I was introduced to the Second Edition of the book in an entry-level class in Graduate school. To this day I find it a necessary reference from my library. Personally, the most useful information to me is on Energetics as it pertains to athletics, training adaptations, exercise testing and prescription. I use this information to help me decide how to train athletes from different sports. But, there is so much more than that in this book. Metabolism, Ventilation, Heart and Circulation (including CVD) is all covered thoroughly.I especially like Brooks' approach to physiology. Brooks, likes to examine physiology by studying the rate-limiting processes. And to a coach, like me, finding weakness and improving that weakness is crucial to winning. Another topic I enjoy is Brooks' take on the misnomer of Anaerobic Threshold and Lactic Acid.It's an extremely well-organized, well-written text. It's easy to read and a challenge at the same time. Brooks makes you think and delivers difficult information in a way that is easier to understand than other textbooks. Eric Swannie, MA, ATC, CSCS

An excellent compendium on work physiolgy

I received both my B.S., and M.S. in Exercise Biochemistry from Univ. of Mass, and Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, respectively. My former advisor studied under Brooks at Berkely (He received his Doctorate there). In any event the approach our department undertook towards exercise biochemistry/physiology was at the cell and molecular level. Brooks text was central to the program. What is great about the book, is that it explains complicated biochemical processes in easy to understand language and places it in the context of applied physiology. The book stacks up to classic texts like Molecular Biology of the Cell (Albert, Bray, Lewis), and many of the classic biochemistry texts. In my opinion it is far superior to texts by McArdle & Katch, or Textbook of Work Physiology (author escapes me, for now).

Excellent textbook! I still use it as a major ref.

I would have to agree with most experts in this field, that Brooks did a smashing job when writing this text. His chapters on bioenergetics are superlatively done. Outstanding graphs, analogies ,coupled with an eazy to understand vennacular. The chapter on bioenergetics is extremly lucid when explaining the esoteric aspects of coupled energy metabolism and muscle performance. Brad Nindl from (Penn State University) and Dr. Paul Arciero (Skidmore College) still utlize his text, and often refere to his chapters on energy metabolism and exercise. Many of our lively discussions and research ideas were spurred by Brooks text. Not only does this text service as an outstanding learning tool, when learning the basic concepts of exercie physiology, but acts as a catalyst for innovative ideas for new research. The references are all up to date, providing eazy access to "cutting-edge" researchers. His chapters on cardiovascular physiology are well organized and follow the same lucid format of the previous chapters, however, i wish he included information on the newer developments in cardiovascular physiology and exercise, such as the work being currently conducted on signial transduction and on the dysregualtion of the sacroplasmic reticulum during CHF etc.. Overall i would recommand this textbook to any serious student, scholar, physician or allied health professional who is wishing to futher their understanding of this fastinating subject. I am currently using his text as a major ref. for preparing for part I of the USMLE!! Yours In Great Learning

Excellent resource material!

I was fortunate to have Dr Brooks as my advisor/professor during my undergraduate studies. He is a brilliant author and educator. I continue to use both editions as resources. As I prepare for my Master's thesis in Physical Therapy I am seriously considering writing it on Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics. Very well written edition, Bravo! mjbeebe@flash.net