The subject of thermodynamics is rarely found in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology textbooks. Yet this material is fundamental to any serious inquisition concerning energy exchange.

This book provides a fresh approach to the study of energy expenditure by introducing the latest concepts in open system thermodynamics and cellular to whole-body energy exchange. The text traces biological energy exchange, from the molecules in the food we eat to the energy demands of rest, physical exertion and its recovery.

The carefully researched text advances traditional exercise physiology concepts by incorporating contemporary thermodynamic and cellular physiology principles into the context of a working metabolism.

This book is written for upper level undergraduate and graduate students, but will also appeal to exercise physiologists, registered dieticians and nutritionists, and applies to cardiac rehabilitation, exercise science and health fitness programs.

What a journey writing this text has been. The lengthy voyage started well before the idea hatched of authoring a text that contained the word "thermodynamics"! I was informed by my good friend and sometimes colleague Dr. Jose Antonio that by including that word in the title, nutritionists and exercise physiologists might avoid the subject. But almost every step of my expedition was taken on a rather solid foundation of thermodynamics and as such the topic could not possibly be omitted from the title or the text of a book about bioenergetics and energy expenditure. I am not a physicist. In fact I ?rst went to college to become a football coach. That vocational choice began to deteriorate when taking the mandatory anatomy and physiology courses required of all physical education majors. This information was exciting; my interest in physical education began to wane. During sophomore year, I answered an advertisement in the school newspaper requesting research subjects.