CTC professor authors exercise book to meet

special needs of various populations

Exercise modifications for people with cardio disease, multiple sclerosis, bone disorders and other special needs is the subject of a new book, “Exercise for Special Populations,” authored by Peggie Williams, Central Texas College professor. Published recently by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, the book delves into modifying exercises and meeting the nutritional needs of these groups and others such as the elderly, children, the obese, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions.

Williams has researched the topic for many years and written two master's degree theses on special populations and contributed chapters on the subject for several other books. The nine-year professor of anatomy and physiology, Williams also conducts workshops for personal training certifications and is often asked to speak at conferences about nutrition, diet therapy and exercises for special populations.

“I was approached by the publishers about writing the book after speaking at a conference,” said Williams. “I had never considered writing a book before but since I had contributed to other books and had done a lot of research on exercise for various groups of people, the idea appealed to me.”

Her research began while Williams was in pursuit of a master's degree in anatomy and physiology and a second degree in nutrition and diet therapy. Her efforts should prove to be quite helpful to personal trainers, instructors and other fitness/exercise practitioners. “Exercise for Special Populations” contains information on designing, implementing and managing the exercise programs for individuals with a variety of diseases, special needs and those under medical care. It not only covers overall health, fitness and exercise recommendations, but includes anatomy and physiology to promote understanding of changes that occur among body systems as diseases or conditions develop.

The book also focuses on building appropriate exercise programs, discusses the physiological changes associated with various conditions, important precautions to heed during exercise, outcome expectations and basic nutritional considerations for various populations.

“Exercise for Special Populations” is now available online through the publisher and various online sellers. Williams added, “The book will also serve as a college textbook but it is too early to tell which schools will use it.” She has already been contacted by the publisher to write a second edition featuring more special populations.