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Melvin H. Williams
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The Ergogenics Edge: Pushing the Limits of Sports Performance Paperback – January 1, 1997

by Melvin H. Williams (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
Get a training and performance advantage! The Ergogenics Edge will help you maximize your athletic potential by going beyond traditional sports conditioning while still staying within the rules.

Dr. Mel Williams presents nearly every current nutritional, pharmacological, physiological, biomechanical, and psychological means used to aid sports performance. He expertly rates more than 60 sports ergogenics based on the following criteria:

• Sport-specific effectiveness

• Safety

• Legal aspects

• Ethical concerns

• Recommendations

Also included is a complete listing of prohibited substances and treatments.

From supplements to streamlined equipment, the book examines and grades every way to maximize sports performance. Get The Ergogenics Edge before your opponents beat you to it.

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  1. Print length
    317 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Human Kinetics
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0880115459
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0880115452
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The Ergogenics Edge is a book that can be thoroughly recommended in this day and age for athletes looking to maximize their potential but wishing to stay within legal limits."

Modern Athlete and Coach

"Melvin Williams, PhD, … devoted more than 30 years to research, much of it on sports ergogenics. It is a pleasure to have his thorough analysis, in easily readable language, of what is known in this field. The Ergogenics Edge is highly recommended for anyone interested in optimal performance and making sense of product claims."

Running & FitNews

About the Author

Dr. Mel Williams is a professor in the Department of Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Recreation at Old Dominion University. With more than 30 years of research experience with sports ergogenics, Dr. Williams is both a highly respected scientist and a renowned author. His first book, published in 1974, was one of the first to focus specifically on drugs and sport. His definitive college text, Nutrition for Fitness and Sport, is entering its fifth edition. Dr. Williams is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Apart from his scientific achievements, Williams has coached football and wrestling at the high school level and cross-country at the college level. A competitive road racer for more than 20 years, his most significant performance came in winning the 50 to 59 age group in the 1989 Boston Marathon.

Dr. Williams lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His leisure activities include running and training for road racing, traveling to historic sites, and reading historical novels.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Human Kinetics (January 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 317 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0880115459
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0880115452
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

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Melvin H. Williams

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8 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Daniel Hurley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched: The Truth Be Told
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Whether looking into the use of Creatine or bee pollen, Dr. Williams provides the answers based on scientific research and provides sub chapters in detail on each eugenic. He not only breaks down the theoretical advantages of each supplement, determines what benefits there are if any, indicates whether they are legal and safe and he provides recommendations regarding each. An example is the use of carbohydrates for those requiring more for endurance sports from long distance running to weekend soccer tournaments. He provides information on the type of carbohydrates, when and how much to take. Another example is creatine that he points out has certain advantages for quick dynamic sports like sprinting but has little to no benefit for long distance runners and can be a detriment due to the potential for increased boy mass (weight). Well organized book, no cumbersome detail and an excellent book or reference guide. Dr. Williams, in addition to his extensive research experience, is a highly successful and experienced long distance runner.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Charles
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good overall. Would rather have charts and writing that ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Good overall. Would rather have charts and writing that does not seem so fear-based, i.e., afraid to recommend based on almost anything. I'm giving 3 stars because I did learn a few things.
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  • S. L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars good past and present of legal and illegal methods
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2008
    i really enjoyed reading this book. i was surprised that it not only covers all the legal aids. but it also covers the history of illegal drugs. i orginally bought this book for knowledge on diet and legal aids. but i ended up with a brief history of illegal drugs.

    mentioning this book to a friend has not made my reputation any better. i have had 4 people falsely imply that I'm using steroids. what puzzles me is that my performance is no where near good. yet, i've been told that some bicyclists in our group are using steroids. i have never even considered using since i'm an amateur level at best.
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  • Marcelo Iannini
    5.0 out of 5 stars Money well spent!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2001
    This book is a really nice book to help us all get most of the "misterious" ergogenics. How many times did we enter in a SNC/GNC store and got confused with so many options? What does creatin or anything else exactly does? Stop having false and biased advises. This book is a reliable database with good bibliographic references. First starting point before heading to any supplement store is to get your hands on this book. Guaranteed to help you spend your $$$ better there!

    Only "drawback" (may I use this word?) is that many of the supplements are so "new" in terms of scientific research that even this book being recent there may be drastic changes in the knowledge of the product. Make sure you do your own researches (the internet is a good point to start) on the "newer" stuff where this book may become incomplete or vague.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • viktor marinkovic
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Ergogenic Edge
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2000
    The increasing number of performance enhancing supplements on the shelves in the drug stores is increasing rapidly. Many people are buying those products without knowing their effectiveness or safety. This book can serve as excellent source to help athletes and coaches of all levels to get the necessary information that will help them make informed decisions regarding the use of sports ergogenics as a means to enhance performance in sport. This book discusses the effectiveness, safety concerns, legal status, and ethical issues of a specific sport ergogenic that should be considered by all the athletes prior to its use. Athletes can find excelent recommendations about what spplements to take or not to take depending of the sport they are participating. The Ergogenic Edge is organized in a way that it makes it very user friendly which makes for easy reading.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • TMG
    5.0 out of 5 stars the best book of its kind
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2001
    Mel Williams is regarded as one of the leading sports physiologists in the US, and this book shows why. I've read many guides to using sports supplements and this is the only one I've come across that's balanced and well-researched. By far the best book of its kind on the market.
    2 people found this helpful
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