Rikli and Jones (kinesiology and health science, California State U., Fullerton) provide a manual for health practitioners and fitness and rehabilitation specialists on assessing physical illness in adults ages 60 and older, to help them identify weaknesses that cause mobility problems, set fitness goals, and develop exercise programs. They introduce a senior fitness test that covers the major components needed to perform everyday activities: lower and upper-body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance, agility, and balance. They detail ways to use the test, its features, and its history; how it relates to traditional theories and models about physical decline in later life; how to select test items; its validity, reliability, and percentile norms; and instructions for administration and interpretation. This edition includes criterion-referenced, clinically relevant fitness standards for identifying test scores correlated with maintaining mobility and independence, as well as information on the purpose and process of developing these standards and interpreting criterion-referenced scores and setting fitness goals, along with modified performance charts to reflect standards. It has more on modifying test protocols for older adults with limitations resulting from specific conditions; forms, instructions, and performance charts; a new chapter on recommended exercises; updated references, statistics, and guidelines developed in the US, Canada, and the UK, and by the World Health Organization; an expanded chapter on improving test scores; and a companion DVD with visual demonstrations of tests and modifications. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

According to Ilchi Lee and Dr. Jessie Jones, co-authors of In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging, the truth about the aging brain is simple but extraordinary: you can have a fit brain at age 60, 70, 80 and beyond. It's simply a matter of choice.This book empowers older individuals to take control of their mental and physical lives by introducing them to the Brain Education System Training (BEST) method. Developed by Lee, BEST is a five-step mind-body training program that helps unlock the brain's true potential. The five steps of the BEST program include: Brain Sensitizing, Brain Versatilizing, Brain Refreshing, Brain Integrating, and Brain Mastering.“One of the more toxic ideas spread by modern culture is that the brain is static from birth to death,” the authors write. “However, as cutting-edge brain science is showing us, such decay is, for the most part, optional. It can be staved off or minimized with the proper actions.” Readers will benefit from tips and techniques that will allow them to improve their attention and concentration, expand their imagination and creativity, develop their energy and strength, manage their stress effectively, and gain inspiration for a positive mature identity.“In Full Bloom offers simple, yet profound, steps to help you fully realize your potential. Every phase of life should be engaging and invigorating. This easy–to–read guide shows you the way,” said David Bishop, president, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.“As people age, it is important that they continue having a dream for their life—to make a plan for who they want to be now and in the future,” the authors say. “Our goal for this book is that we can help people do this by letting them discover the joy in their life, as well as their true sense of purpose.” In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging shows readers how to get the most out of the last third of life by using the brain to its maximum potential.

Tre centimetri, quattro... le ore di travaglio durano più di sessanta minuti: tra grida e mugugni, epidurali, tecniche respiratorie, Dayna ripensa alla sua movimentata vita sentimentale. Che per lei significa ripercorrere una lunga lista di fidanzati, una serie di esperimenti per "tentativi ed errori" che l'hanno accompagnata dal college alla sala parto. C'è il superpalestrato Simon, tenero come un orsacchiotto ma con la libido di un coniglio sotto effetto del Viagra. Poi c'è Chris: bello, sensibile, appassionato di storia antica, vegetariano integralista. Quando da noiosissimo musicista dilettante si trasforma in rockstar dì fama mondiale è ormai troppo tardi! E il turno di Archie. Corpo statuario, spiritoso, fantasioso a letto, tutto il fascino del diamante grezzo. Finché non mostra la sua vera natura. Gabriel: fisico da sballo, supersexy... l'incontro più breve nella storia degli incontri. Mark: semplicemente perfetto! Bello, dolce, altruista, generoso, interessante. Troppo. Infine Cristian: il principe azzurro. Un metro e ottanta di sensualità pura, elegante, ricco, premuroso. Le ha anche regalato il fatidico brillante. L'uomo giusto è quello a cui non riesci a trovare un solo difetto? Un fidanzato da buttare per ogni centimetro di dilatazione conquistato, tante avventure esilaranti che hanno portato Dayna fin quasi sull'altare. Ma, in sala parto insieme a lei, ancora ci chiediamo: chi è il padre della bambina che sta per nascere?