An Illustrated History of Health and Fitness, from Pre-History to our Post-Modern World / Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Bd.39 (PDF)

Dr. R.J. Shephard, C.M., is Professor Emeritus of Applied Physiology in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto, and a consultant in Exercise Sciences. He was Director of the School of Physical and Health Education (now the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education) at the University of Toronto for twelve years (1979-1991), and also served as Director of the University of Toronto Graduate Programme in Exercise Sciences from 1964 to 1985.

During a varied career in the health sciences, he also served as a consultant to the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, the Toronto Rehabilitation Centre, the Directorate of Active Living, Health & Welfare Canada, and the University of Québec (Trois Rivières). He has held academic appointments in the Dept. of Physiology and the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto, the Centre des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Québec à Trois Rivières, and the Hôpital Pitié Salpetrière, Université de Paris, and was Canadian Tire Acceptance Limited Resident Scholar in Health Studies at Brock University from 1994 to 1998.

Prior to moving to Toronto in 1964, he held appointments in the Department of Cardiology (Guy's Hospital, University of London), the High Altitude Research Unit of the R.A.F. Institute of Aviation Medicine, the Department of Preventive Medicine (University of Cincinnati) and the Applied Physiology section of the U.K. Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment (Porton Down, U.K.).



He holds four scientific and medical degrees from London University (B.Sc., M.B.B.S., Ph.D. and M.D.) and honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto, Gent University (Belgium), the Université de Montréal, the Université de Québec à Trois Rivières, and the University of Guelph, together with the Honour Award of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, the Honor Award and a Citation from the American College of Sports Medicine,

“This large volume is a compendium of short, well-cited facts about health and fitness and lifestyles, supplemented with figures. … This book gives readers a very good understanding of the evolution of health and fitness in various regions of the world, along with cultural and religious aspects. It will primarily be useful to advanced students or researchers. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals.” (A. H. Goldfarb, Choice, Vol. 52 (12), August, 2015)