The 2^nd edition of this expert text emphasizes normal development and function, examining how function is attained and how it can be optimized across the life span. Its logical organization and presentation equips readers with the background and tools needed to understand the components of functional movement. A solid grounding in normal development, including the cellular and systems changes that begin in the embryo and continue throughout life, enables readers to recognize, understand, and appropriately treat abnormal motor function. This new, expanded edition features enhanced content related to development of specific age groups, with a unique focus on the ongoing development of the healthy older adult. Specifically, the chapters dealing with the skeletal system, the cardiovascular and pulmonary system, and the nervous system have been extensively updated and more comprehensively illustrated.