Maximum Performance

A must read for any performer - athlete, musician, dancer, actor, etc. Re-Reading this in 2007 makes you realize how far-seeing this book was - research and practice of the last 30 years validates every aspect. Not only that, it is extremely practical. The authors provide many exercises, drills, tips, etc. for putting their theories to work.

The other reviewers are correct, this book is the tops and needs to be reissued in the 21st century. I remember when there were large stacks of these in paperback in many stores that sold new books. I mistakenly thought "Maximum Performance" would always be available. Unfortunately, the book publishing business has changed in dramatic ways that do not always serve the needs and interests of the book purchasing public.I had not referred to "Maximum Performance" in many years and a few months ago unexpectedly saw a good copy in a used book store. That refreshed my memory. I did not buy the used copy because I thought I had a good copy, but when I returned home I learned that it had become water damaged. Alas, when I returned to the used book store the copy I'd seen had been sold. Still, I read through my water damaged and slightly smelly copy of Morehouse's "Maximum Performance" and decided that even a discolored and odoriforous copy was better than no copy. It remains in my library in a sealed plastic bag until the book is re-issued or I can find another copy.Regardless of the specific physical activity, whether you are teaching about sports or coaching them, whether you are interested in improving your own physical performance or interested in avoiding injuries in your own physical performance, in sports or at work, this book has a lot to offer you. I was working on a Fire Department and EMS ambulance service when I first read this book and was quickly able to apply much of the advice to daily working tasks. My skills in lifting patients and lifting fire hose, performing CPR and climbing ladders, all improved with a little thought and rehersal as suggested in Dr. Morehouse's excellent book. By following Dr. Morehouse's advice I also ended up playing quarterback on our fire department football team even though I was by no means the biggest or strongest player on the field. At the time, Dr. Morehouse was a pioneer in the field and developed an incredibly successful record training Olympic caliber athletes as well as spacefaring astronauts. He set the standard with "Maximum Performance" and it is a treasure that is missed and needs to be reissued in the 21st century.

I had a hard time finding this book, but it was definitely worth it! The books concentrates on giving physiologically sound advice, which is often at odds with intuition. For example, the the author explores how "trying too hard" may hamper performance, along with how to optimize anxiety levels for your sport. I keep rereading this book, and there is always something new there. I've read other sports books, but none that actually gave me this amount of directly applicable tips.

This is a superb quide to fitness that debunks scores of myths about exercise that totally surprised me. Morehouse is a clinical physiologist and conducted years of experiments with athletes strapped to monitoring equiment as they exercised. For example, he discovered in the lab that traditional sit-ups or crunches are not particularly effective, and found that a reverse sit-up -- slightly bending backwards from a sitting position -- was much more effective and less injury prone. As a result, his recommendations for exercise are simple and safe and truly geared for every level -- minimum maintenance, maximum performance and specific-sport training. This book is so much better and more insightful than the bulk of fitness books that came after it. If you can find it, buy it.

I found this book at a local library and I came here to see if I could purchase a copy. This book is just plain amazing. It was published over twenty years ago but it contains information about developing neuro-muscular skill and athletic ability which I don't think that even contemporary coaches and athletes are aware of.Furthermore, it contains information on fitness and ergonomics (a subject others have only dealt with recently) which are very applicable to non-athletes as well. It's a terrible shame that this book is out of print. I plan on writing the publisher into sstarting a reprint. I'm also curious as to whether Dr. Morehouse (the author) is still alive.