This second edition is aimed at undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, and also acts as a reference for specialists. It presents information in colour-coded chapters, outlines, key terms and points, summary boxes and study questions. There are active learning exercises. Updated information includes : structure and compartmentalization of myofibrils and the sliding filament theory; neuromuscular factors and individual muscle fibre hypertrophy with resistance trainint; ergogenic aids including L-tryptophan, branched-chain amino acids, crating, chromium and glycerol; and results from longitudinal studies of older athletes.