The first edition, Human Movement: An Introductory Text for Physiotherapy Students, was published in 1981 and quickly became a major part of physiotherapy undergraduate study. It put the understanding of human movement at the very centre of the physiotherapy profession. A strength of previous editions has been the recognition that students come from diverse academic backgrounds. With qualifications and experience in physiotherapy and biomedical engineering the authors understand this diversity very well and have kept the universal appeal of its plain English delivery, its use of figures and the generally accessible way the content is presented. The fact that this title has continued for almost 40 years speaks volumes for its appeal and the importance of the area. Although the book is historically rooted in physiotherapy, understanding human movement is, of course, a key part of many professions, such as podiatry, occupational therapy, biomedical engineering, medicine and sports coaches/ therapists.