Classic text revisited
The first edition of the Textbook of Work Physiology by Astrand and Rodahl was the first publication to provide a truly scientific approach to the physiology of exercise . Its value of course was primarily based in the long and detailed research experience of its authors and the first edition remains the true classic text of exercise physiology. Sadly this approach has been lost in the most recent 4th edition and while a providing an excellent coverage of exercise physiology it lacks the scientific insight which made the first edition (and subsequent editions slightly less so) so wonderful to read for an exercise phsyiologist with a scientific approach. As an exerise physiologist with many years experience the first edition remains a warm favourite but this latest edition sits alongside the plethora of more mundane modern texts.
