Kinanthropometry In Aquatic
Sports: A study of world class
athletes
edited by J E Lindsay Carter and Timothy
R Ackland. Human Kinetics, Leeds, 1994
(ISBN 0 87322 658 5). Illus. 174 pages.
f21.
This is an original research report
evaluatingthe relationships between
physical structure and human per-
formance (kinanthropometry) in
world class swimmers, divers, synch-
ronised swimmers and water polo
players.
The book provides an overview of
basic descriptive and comparative
analysis of each sport, gender, event,
place in competition and playing
position. The authors hope this will
provide a structural basis for explor-
ing the biomechanical and physio-
logical relevance of some aspecta of
physique to performance.
I would suggest this book is as -
-
described by the authors going to
be of most use to exercise scientists,
coaches, athletes and sport enthus-
iasts. However, physiotherapists
with an interest in sport, either
doing research or training athletes
participating in these sports may
find it an interesting point of
reference.
I found the book clearly written
and laid out, making it easy with
only a limited knowledge of statist-
ical analysis to find interesting or
relevant data from the tables and
text.
I would not recommend this for an
individual or department, but it
would be useful to have access to it
in a university or hospital library.
C M Dyce MCSP
Violence in Health Care: A
practical guide to coplng wlth
violence and caring for
victims
edited by Jonathan Shepherd. Oxford
Medic81 Publications. 1994 ( S 6 N 0 19
262157 2). 195 pages. E16.95.
Various aspeds of violence in
healthcare are the focus of this book.
It is aimed at all healthcare workers
and their managers, and intended
not only to equip them to provide
appropriate help for victims of
Violence, but also to enable them to
cope with violence directed against
themselves.
The book is written and laid out in
a clear and accessible way. Certain
parts will be of interest to different
practitioners; for instance there are
chapters on alcohol, other drugs and
violence, and on non-accidental
injuries to children.
The general chapters are construc-
tive, giving information about the
causes of aggression against health-
care workers, and preventive and
defusing strategies. Some of the
short- and long-term physical and
psychological effects of assault are
explored.
There is a particularly useful
&ion on the various forms of com-
pensation available to victims of
violence, which includes details of
the Criminal Injuries Compensation
Scheme, and clear guidelines on how
When Lightning Strikes:
Life after a stroke
by Gilbert Vaux. Temple House Books,
254% High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
BN72LU. 1994(ISBNO863329438).140
p8geS. f6.95.
As the title suggests, this book tells
the tale of a man’s recovery after a
cerebrovascular accident. His
analogy for a CVA, likening it to a
bolt of lightning splitting a tree
down the middle, describes the
effects quite accurately. I feel the
book was written to help fellow
sufferers of cerebral events realise
that they are not alone in their tight
for recovery and they will be able to
appreciate the feelings experienced
by this gentleman during his
rehabilitation.
I would also urge all therapists to
read this book, particularly students
or those interested in neurological
rehabilitation,as it gives insight into
the emotions experienced by some-
one who has had a CVA. Perhaps
this knowledge will help therapists
to provide not only physical
rehabilitation, but also psychological
support. The author mentions that
laughter during therapy was as
much of a benefit as the actual
treatment during his long laborious
recovery.
The book is simply written, but Mr
to instigate a compensation claim.
Violence and aggression is a
subject which has became of incteas-
ing relevance to physiotherapists in
recent years. Therefore, this book
should be a useful baseline resource
for therapists at all levels, although
I felt that aspects such as gender and
violence and race and violence
should have been examined in more
depth.
This book would be useful to in-
dividuals or departmentq it is easy
to read, and o r g a n i d in a way
which facilitates its use as a point of
reference. The appendices contain
appropriate information regarding
some statutory and non-statutory
organisationswhich provide various
types of support to victims of
violence.
Claire Sullivan GradDipPhys MCSP
Vaux’s correct use of terminology
makes you realise just how much he
took on board and how he valued
input from every angle. In the early
stages his dysphaaia was frustrating,
as he could not express his feelinge
orally. In the book these are quite
clear, so writing provided yet
another form of rehabilitation.
As the book develop you come to
know this gentleman. H e tells of
his upbringing and his etreesee
throughout growing up, his life on a
farm, his highs and his many lows,
but moat importantly, his family. He
was extremely hard-working and
independent, so you can only
imagine how devastated he was to
have his lifestyle so cruelly taken
away.
Interested obviously in the physio-
therapy aspect of his recovery, I was
intrigued to read about various
treatments that I might have
approached diflerently, eg his use of
a tripod in the early stages makes me
wonder what I would have done
presented with the same problems.
However, I cannot criticise, as he
made an extremely good recovery.
The book is small, easy to follow
and quick to read. It is very good
value for money and a definite buy
for a department library, both for
staff and stroke patients to read.
Anne selkirk MCSP