< I>World of Sports Science< /I> provides a comprehensive overview of the science of sports. Consisting of 600 entries alphabetically organized across 2 volumes, entries will range in length from 250 to 2,500 words and include theoretical and practical treatment of all aspects of sports science and exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Particular emphasis is placed on such high-interest topics as sports medicine, specifically the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries; pylometric and other athletic training programs; performance-enhancing drugs and drug-testing techniques; and sports psychology, particularly motivational and mental aspects of sport.< P>Also included are: < ul> < li> 300 photos, illustrations, and graphs< li> A chronology of important milestones in sports science< li> A general index covering the subjects, people, and places < li> Cross references throughout the text< /ul>

This two-volume encyclopedia on sports science introduces topics within the field for high school students, readers beginning their studies, and general readers. It contains approximately 600 entries on the application of science to sport, emphasizing basic science related to concepts about muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular efficiency, oxygen use, and the importance of flexibility. Organized alphabetically, entries cover genetics, physics, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, types of injuries and injury prevention, different sports and how they are played, nutrition and vitamins, and the calculation of muscle to fat ratios, for example. Biographies of well-known athletes such as Lance Armstrong and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and others are included. No background knowledge in science is assumed. A general index is provided in the second volume only. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)