Survival of the Fittest: Understanding Health And Peak Physical Performance [Import] [Paperback]

Mike Stroud (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (May 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099272598
• ISBN-13: 978-0099272595
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,065,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Human Evolution - Consequences for Health and Fitness, February 13, 2000

By 

S. Hoult (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: ANATOMY OF PEAK PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE (Hardcover)

A great book and one I'll re-read many times!

Mike uses his own ultra-endurance experiences to illustrate how human evolution impacts on everyday health and fitness issues. Well written and hugely illuminating, this book is relevant to anyone who wants to understand their body and its performance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So what really is stopping you?, July 13, 2009

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Survival of the Fittest (Paperback)

Dr Mike Stroud is a man who understands the two most important aspects of physical fitness better than most. Firstly, he is a medical doctor (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians since 1995) and, therefore, possesses an appreciation of the therapeutic and material effects of keeping fit and participating in other physically demanding pursuits on the human body. Secondly, his personal achievements include accompanying Ranulph Fiennes in 1992 on the first unsupported crossing of Antarctica in which those two men pulled loaded sledges across the entire length of that continent.

No human being - be they a former Olympic Athlete or one who used to be a supremely fit airborne solder, has a right to stay in shape just because of previous achievements and the high standards of fitness that went with their former situation. Put another way, whilst "time and tide wait for no man," the same is also true of the human body. The dreaded middle age spread will only be avoided by accepting two main principles; Firstly, there is a requirement for self-discipline in one's approach to personal fitness, condition and diet. Secondly, having "finally" decided to so something about your own fitness and health, you need to understand precisely what is required - and that is where this book comes into its own.

The content, however, is not what you might expect to find at all. I was anticipating a blow-by-blow explanation of the best exercise and the most advantageous diets - but not so. Instead, we have a mini personal biography of Stroud's physical adventures and achievements and of the lessons learned during his participation in each. Every one of these lessons provides the reader with a valuable insight into another element of the overall subject for which we should be grateful - if only because we did not have to trudge across Antarctica (and elsewhere!) to learn that lesson.

Please do not misunderstand this review. This is not a book confined to those who still yearn of climbing Everest or pursue some other form of adventurous lifestyle. This is a book for anyone and everyone who cares enough about their own physical and medical well-being to want to learn more about keeping themselves in good shape - both inside and outside.

At the very end is a list of further works where the reader will undoubtedly find something to suit their own precise requirements. Immediately before that, however, the author echoes my own words. I am now 59 and I still go running with a pack on my back (old airborne habits will only die hard if you allow the to do so!). How often have I encountered someone (often much younger than myself) who looks at me and says "I wish I could do that." My reply is always the same; "so what's stopping you?"

In the final chapter, Mike Stroud recounts Ranulph Fiennes' achievement of running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents a short time after he had suffered a heart attack! He concludes with the words; "Following our success, many experts in both the USA and Britain expressed disbelief at what we had achieved, they did not realise that they could have done it too. The difference is only one of perception."

So what really is stopping you?

NM

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Survival of the Fittest, August 25, 2010

By 

El Barranquillero - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: ANATOMY OF PEAK PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE (Hardcover)

It has been twelve years since I first read this book. It was a book that challenged me as a middle aged active person who had finished several marathons and a Half-Ironman. I considered myself quite active and being able to compete within my personal limits. I was a slow runner but still able to finish marathons. I was a fast biker, but lacked the staying power to complete long distances.
What this book did was to make me aware of possible expanded limitations. This was presented in the form of actual experiences of the author in athletic competitions, combined with a thorough analysis of our early human ancestry, as well as current medical data. It motivated me to compete in full Ironmans as well as long distance bike events.
Now at 67 years old, I decided to order the book and read it again. It is astonishing how relevant this book is, even in the light of medical advances with athletic competitions. I would recommend this to any active person of any age. You will find plenty of information that will help you to reach your personal peak. It is still a good read with plenty of good advice.