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British Journal Of Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine Handbook Eds Roger G Hackney, Angus Wallace BMJ Books, 75 [pounds sterling], pp 505 ISBN 0 7279 1031 0

Rating: ****

It is welcome news that more and more people seem to be taking up sporting activities, both leisure and competitive. Recently, when cyclist Lance Armstrong won the gruelling Tour de France after having survived cancer, the amazing news received wide media coverage.

With this increased interest in sport, sports health care has become more challenging. In this context, Sports Medicine Handbook provides a wealth of information for members of the sports healthcare team, including clinicians and trainers. Hackney and Wallace--dedicated teachers, eminent clinicians, and pioneers in sports medicine--have assembled a stellar team of international authors and produced a superb evidence based book.

In contrast to other textbooks on the subject, this one goes beyond the details of physical training to present a variety of fascinating and effective "risk minimising" stretching exercises. Identifying the underlying cause of injury is paramount to preventing recurrence, and the authors share their wisdom in emphasising this principle and go on to discuss systematic management of injuries and rehabilitation.

While injuries are not sex biased, the book provides valuable insight into specific issues related to menstruation, pregnancy, and skeletal integrity in sportswomen, which a clinician may have to deal with from time to time. The section on sports nutrition is richly flavoured with pragmatic and prudent dietary tips. Another impressive chapter is "Caring for a team abroad" which includes useful sermons on how to plan ahead to overcome jet lag, bugs, and boredom. The information on the vexing matter of drugs and doping is also useful.

Professor Wallace, Dr Hackney, and their coauthors have made a valuable addition to the field of sports medicine. The fine colour pictures, high quality x ray films, and informative tables would please any sports medicine enthusiast. Physicians and other healthcare workers involved in sports medicine should find this well designed book immensely useful. A paperback edition, extensive indexing, and inclusion of the health concerns of scuba diving and other exotic sports may attract more readers in future.

V M Krishna Bhaskarabhatla clinical research associate, Internal Medicine Associates, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City, USA

COPYRIGHT 1999 British Medical Association
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group