MASON, Paul . Improving Endurance . diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-3300-9 . LC 2010024356. MASON, Paul . Improving Speed . charts. ISBN 978-1-4488-3302-3 . LC 2010024354. MASON, Paul . Improving Strength and Power . charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-4488-3301-6 . LC 2010024425. ea vol: 32p. (Training for Sports Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen / PowerKids Pr . 2011. PLB $25.25. Gr 5-7 Mason takes an unusual approach by addressing the topic from medical and health points of view. Throughout the books, he covers training and exercises that will help athletes improve in many sports. Each book provides between 8 and 10 profiles of subjects ranging from dancers to participants in judoka. Some well-known names appear (Lance Armstrong in Endurance ), but others are less familiar (Lynn Hill in Flexibility ). Readers can stretch their vocabulary by learning about their body shape and "somatotyping" or the "lactic threshold" that occurs during exercising. Other concepts such as "overtraining" or "ultra-running" are discussed on full spreads. All of the books cover nutrition and hydration information. While the exercises are delineated in step-by-step thumbnail photographs, other action shots keep up the momentum of the text. This will whet readers' appetites for further information.