Kenneth H. Cooper

This is the book that started me on the road to physical fitness. I think I got the book new in 1977, and the first entries in my running log begin in 1979. Forty-one years and 33000 miles later I am still here at 79 and in reasonably good shape, although I am only walking now, not running.

The author was an Air Force medical doctor, The book describes a program of testing for aerobic fitness and determined that one needs to earn 30 points a week to maintain fitness. Tables for various activities indicate the point value of those activities, Length and intensity of the activity determine the number of points earned. The quickest way to earn points was by running: an 8 minute mile would earn 5 points, so 6 runs would get you 30 points. Other exercises were cycling, walking, swimming and basketball.
I have kept a simple log for 41 years, At first I kept track of my times, but that got stressful and discouraging, so after about a year or two, I stopped timing myself and just kept the date and the distance. At my peak, I was running about 1300 miles a year (best year 1700 miles). I was not fast, I ran in only a few races and usually ran by myself. But the book started a lifelong habit, so it was probably one of the most useful books I ever bought.… (mais)

The book is authored by Kenneth Cooper M.D. and his son Tyler Cooper M.D. Ken Cooper being the originator of the aerobic concept of health training from the 1960's. The focus of this book is for those getting up in years and looking for a way to extend health in these years when so many face declines that impact the quality of their lives. On balance good material for doing something to change this, however I found many pages devoted to what I considered filler and I was expecting more on the concrete mechanics of a program which I found lacking.… (mais)