Athletic Ability and the Anatomy of Motion , 2nd edn. By Rolf Wirhed. (Pp. iv+171; fully illustrated; $28 paperback; ISBN 0 7234 2643 0.) St Louis: Mosby‐Year Book. 1997.

This book first appeared in 1982 in a market which had few publications in biomechanics. Professor Wirhed writes as a sports enthusiast who has studied atomic physics and anatomy, this combination leading to his present teaching of kinetics. Newton’s laws and atomic physics sit uneasily together ; however, the relevance of the former and the principles of levers to his theme are fully pursued in this book. Now, 16 years after the first publication, many authors have responded to a burgeoning interest in the principles underlying body movement and it is pertinent to ask whether the book still fills a gap. The book has 2 main parts. One is devoted to functional regional anatomy and is interleaved by the other, devoted to biomechanics. The importance of stretching exercises to the development of a flexible body is a pervasive theme throughout the book which almost gives it a special flavour. The anatomical illustrations (charcoal drawings with red highlights) are attractive but some, such as a lumbar kyphosis in an erect trunk, are plain wrong. A very selective approach has been made to the musculoskeletal anatomy, but it is creditable that the 2 parts of the book are linked wherever possible. Functional correlates are ascribed to every structure mentioned and accompanied by numerous sketches of people engaged in exercises. The sketches in particular could help the nonspecialist to relate their exertions to the contents of the text. The correct names of muscles are used but some alternatives, presumably intended for effective communication, are disconcerting. For example, soleus becomes the ‘flounder’ muscle and gluteus minimus, whose attachments are depicted in an anterior view, is referred to as the ‘small buttock muscle ’. These seem unnecessary, as does referring to the lower limb as a leg and the leg as a lower leg. It is refreshing that eccentric actions of muscles are recognised. Most anatomical textbooks distance themselves from daily living by only listing the unopposed concentric actions. The author suggests that leaders of sports and youth recreation, physical education teachers and physiotherapists will benefit from the book and it is suggested as a textbook for those in training. It will probably stimulate some readers, especially those who seek to understand the rationale behind techniques for developing strength and flexibility and, maybe as coaches, when looking for effective ways of communicating with athletes. For them, the book probably does fill a gap in the market. Therapists can obtain more useful information from other sources if their patients are sportspersons. It fails as a textbook on 2 counts. First, there are neither references nor guides to further reading and this would deter the inquisitive student. Secondly, it lacks rigour. For example, the distinctions between mass and weight and between force and power are too often lacking. A Golgi tendon organ is referred to as the Golgi apparatus and the length-tension characteristics of muscles are given as those found in vitro with no hint of the limited outer range in vivo. Some may conclude that the title is misleading. Athletic ability requires a body that is both strong and flexible, and these are aspects which the book addresses. However, neither quality is sufficient and the book totally fails to address the importance of neural control. There remains a need for a book which discusses the coordinated deployment of the anatomical structures leading to the execution of a perceived athletic skill. It could even have the same title.