Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Although this work cannot compare in scope to the classic Encyclopedia of Sport Sciences and Medicine (1971), it fills a need for a quick-reference tool defining illnesses and injuries related to sports and physical activities. More than 600 entries are arranged alphabetically, with definitions ranging from a few sentences to half a page. Many terms cannot be found in a standard medical dictionary (Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 24th ed., 1982), e.g., tennis elbow, athlete's foot, altitude sickness, and oxygen transport system. A separate glossary briefly explains medical terms used in the main definitions, plus terms ``too short to include in the main section.'' But a few terms (aerobic, coccyx) appear in both sections, with definitions of different lengths. It would have been simpler to incorporate the glossary into the main section. One flaw is a complete lack of cross-references. There is no entry for ``megavitamin therapy'' to lead the user to the entry ``nutrition, megavitamin''; nor is there any ``see also'' reference from the entry on ``vitamins.'' The table of contents is superfluous, being merely a list of every entry in the main dictionary, with no mention of the separate glossary. Still, the dictionary is recommended because of its unique coverage for collections in physical education, athletics, and sports medicine.-L.N. Pander, University of Connecticut

Booklist Review

This Dictionary by Hunt, chairman of the physical education department at the University of California-San Diego, and Tver, the coauthor of Industrial Medicine Desk Reference (reviewed in this issue), is intended to be used by all individuals concerned about exercise and physical fitness. This includes weekend and professional athletes, coaches, and medical personnel. Injuries and illnesses that may occur in physical activities are discussed in this volume along with descriptions of those parts of the body that receive a greater proportion of injuries. Both American and foreign sports (e.g., cricket) and resulting injuries are included. The definitions are arranged in alphabetical order, although in several instances there are errors in the order. The entries vary in length from two sentences (e.g., otitis externa) to about one-half page (e.g., golfer's hip). The authors have attempted to make the definitions as concise as possible without sacrificing clarity, though much medical terminology is used that may confuse the layperson. Each definition gives an explanation of the injury and related symptoms. There is no attempt to suggest or prescribe any type of treatment.There are a few well-labeled drawings scattered throughout the book to supplement the text. The Dictionary does not provide the pronunciation or etymology of the terms, but this information is available in other sources. The latter part of this book contains a glossary of terms. Many of the terms in the glossary appear earlier in the main text; however, the authors also have included additional ``short terms and definitions related to athletic health and activity.'' A title that is similar in subject matter is the Standard Nomenclature of Athletic Injuries, published by the American Medical Association and now out of print. This alphabetically arranged source is designed specifically for the medical professional, and each entry includes synonyms for the injury, etiology, symptoms, signs, complications, laboratory data, radiographic findings, pathology, and special studies. In addition to the entry for each injury there is an alphabetical glossary of terms. The AMA title has a very helpful index that is noticeably missing in the Dictionary. The Dictionary needs an index or cross-references from terms not used to appropriate entries. The index also should indicate whether a term is included in the main text or glossary. The lack of an index and cross-references seriously detracts from this book's usefulness as a reference tool. The combination of entries giving good advice to the sports enthusiast and others written in medical language incomprehensible to the layperson makes it difficult to characterize the audience for this book. Libraries serving patrons interested in sports may want to purchase this book in spite of these faults.