Includes bibliographical references and index.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity -- Physical inactivity is the main cause of the metabolic syndrome -- Exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle -- Genetic vs. acquired fitness: cardiomyocyte adaptations -- Molecular modifications induced by physical exercise: a significant role in disease prevention -- The contribution of reactive oxygen species in sarcopenia and muscle aging -- Mitochondria: the dark side -- Mitochondrial pathogenesis of myopathies due to collagen VI mutations -- Mitochondria in cell life and death -- Evaluation of nutritional state in individuals that practice fitness -- Physical exercise of the prevention and treatment of obesity -- Techniques for assessing the quality of life with a particular emphasis on physical exercise -- Effects of physical exercise on the quality of life of indivduals with diabetes and obesity -- A longitudinal investigation of physical activity and health behaviors in Italian university students.