Educational Media Reviews Online

This Human Relations Media DVD is a very thorough introduction to good health and fitness, and librarians will be hard-pressed to find another program that contains as much good information in such an accessible manner. Geared for high school level and up, Total Health: Becoming Physically Fit is a must for the junior college and school media center libraries. Public libraries should also consider it for community programs and even individual use.

Divided into three sections: body composition and flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness, each with a video program, chapter select option and a quiz, Total Health is designed for classroom use. The accompanying Teacher’s Resource Book, by Erin Ferrara, is written to be used with the DVD, but is so well done that it could be used on its own or with other teaching resources.

Body composition and flexibility provides sound advice and well-researched information about body types, body fat percentages, eating a balanced diet, and the importance of staying fit and flexible throughout life. Muscle strength and endurance defines the difference between strength and endurance, and provides some guidelines for effective and safe workouts. Cardiovascular fitness reviews the cardiovascular system and the importance of aerobic activity in keeping the entire body healthy and the preventative nature of staying fit to ward off chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

A first-rate program from Human Relations Media. Highly recommended.