ABSTRACT
Physical activity, defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure, is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. While this fact has been understood since the times of ancient societies, changes in the way we live our lives in many countries, have resulted in a significant decline in daily physical activity levels. This has serious health and economic consequences for countries where physical activity is declining. This textbook is written in three parts and begins with foundations in physical activity science, before discussing the research findings and knowledge regarding physical activity for a range of sport science disciplines. The third part is devoted to applied physical activity research and examines knowledge in a variety of contexts. The aim of Physical activity: A multi-disciplinary introduction is to provide a first text for those studying or working in the physical activity field, but it also provides an opportunity for researchers to update their knowledge in regard to developments in physical activity research across a range of disciplines. Given the causes of the worldwide decline in physical activity and the increase in sedentary behaviour are multi-factorial, solutions to increase physical activity levels are likely to require multi-disciplinary approaches in order to be successful. This textbook provides an opportunity for researchers to examine knowledge across a range of fields and to identify links between research in their own field and that within other disciplines.
