Exercise Physiology Terms

Front 1

a feature unique to isokinetic testing or training apparatus where a counter force is provided so that the speed of contraction is controlled

Back 1

accommodating resistance

Front 2

A complex chemical compound formed with the energy released from food and stored in all cells, particularly muscles. Only from the energy released by the breakdown of this compound can the cell perform work

Back 2

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP):

Front 3

in the presence of oxygen

Back 3

aerobic

Front 4

Maximal rate at which an individual can consume oxygen during the performance of all-out, exhaustive exercise; “best” index of cardiorespiratory fitness.

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aerobic power

Front 5

Term used to denote the entire series of biochemical reactions and pathways whereby ATP can be synthesized from food-fuels but only in the presence of oxygen. Includes aerobic glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and ETS.

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aerobic system

Front 6

protein building

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anabolic

Front 7

in the absence of oxygen

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anaerobic

Front 8

The incomplete chemical breakdown of carbohydrate. The anaerobic reactions in this breakdown release energy for the manufacture of ATP as they produce lactic acid known as the lactic acid system)

Back 8

anaerobic glycolysis

Front 9

The development of maximal or peak power during exertion; measured as work (force in kg x distance in meters) expressed per unit of time (min).

Back 9

anaerobic power

Front 10

That intensity of work load or oxygen consumption at which anaerobic metabolism is accelerated.

Back 10

anaerobic threshold

Front 11

An anaerobic energy system in which ATP is manufactured when phosphocreatine (PC) is broken down. This system represents the most rapidly available source of ATP for use by muscle. Activities performed at maximum intensity for a period of 10 seconds or less derive energy (ATP) from this system.

Back 11

ATP-PC System

Front 12

The rate of a disease or other outcome in exposed individuals that can be attributed to the exposure. This measure is derived by subtracting the rate of the outcome (usually incidence or mortality) among the unexposed from the rate among the exposed individuals.

Back 12

attributal risk

Front 13

The series of reactions by which fat is broken down from long carbon chains to two carbon units in preparation for entry into the Krebs Cycle.

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beta oxidation

Front 14

The study of energy transformations in living organisms.

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bioenergetics

Front 15

The removal and examination of tissue from the living body

Back 15

biopsy

Front 16

The force per unit area exerted by the blood against the inside walls of an artery; the driving force that moves blood through the circulatory system

Back 16

blood pressure

Front 17

A much-used indication of the “size” of an individual in relationship to his or her height; ratio of wt:ht squared using units of kilograms and meters.

Back 17

body mass index (BMI)

Front 18

A unit of work or energy equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1° C.

Back 18

calorie (cal)

Front 19

Any of a group of chemical compounds, including sugars, starches, and cellulose; contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only

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carbohydrate

Front 20

The amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute; the product of the stroke volume and the heart rate

Back 20

cardiac output (Q)

Front 21

The ability of the lungs and heart to take in and transport adequate amounts of oxygen to the working muscles, allowing activities that involve large muscle masses (e.g., running, swimming, bicycling) to be performed over long periods of time

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Cardiorespiratory Endurance

Front 22

Disease(s) that coexist(s) in a study participant in addition to the index condition that is the subject of study.

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comorbidity

Front 23

Muscle action in which the ends of the muscle are drawn closer

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concentric contraction

Front 24

Augmentation of the energy capacity of muscle through a physical exercise program. It is not primarily concerned with the skill of performance, as would be the case in training.

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conditioning

Front 25

The lowest pressure existing in the arteries

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Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

Front 26

a general term for abnormal lipid profile

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Dislipidemia

Front 27

Muscle action in which a force external to the muscle overcomes the muscle force and the ends of the muscle are drawn further apart.

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eccentric contraction

Front 28

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart

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Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Front 29

The making of graphic records of the variations in electrical potential caused by electrical activity of the heart muscle and detected at the body surface, as a method for studying the action of the heart muscle

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Electrocardiography

Front 30

The time limit of a person’s ability to maintain either an isometric force or a power level involving combinations of concentric and/or eccentric muscle actions

Back 30

endurance

Front 31

The capability of producing force, performing work, or generating heat (SI unit: joule)

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energy

Front 32

One of three metabolic systems involving a series of chemical reactions resulting in the formation of waste products and the manufacture of ATP.

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energy system

Front 33

A protein compound that speeds up a chemical reaction.

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enzyme

Front 34

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problem.

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epidemology

Front 35

Any factor that improves work performance

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ergogenic acid

Front 36

Abnormally high blood pressure in humans that has no known cause and therefore no known cure; most common type of high blood pressure.

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essential hypertension

Front 37

Any and all activity involving the generation of force by the activated muscle(s). It can be quantified mechanically as force, torque, work, power, or velocity of progression.

Back 37

exercise

Front 38

A specific level of muscular activity that can be quantified in terms of power (energy expenditure or work performed per unit of time), the opposing force (e.g., by free weight stack), isometric force sustained, or velocity of progression.

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exercise intensity

Front 39

Scientific study of how the body, from a functional standpoint, responds, adjusts, and adapts to acute exercise and chronic training.

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exercise physiology

Front 40

A study is externally valid or generalizable if it can produce unbiased inferences regarding a target population (beyond the subjects in the study). This aspect of validity is only meaningful with regard to a specified external target population.

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external validity

Front 41

A muscle fiber characterized by fast contraction time, high anaerobic capacity, and low aerobic capacity, all making the fiber suited for high-power output activities. Also known as Type II fiber

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Fast Twitch Fiber

Front 42

That which changes or tends to change the state of rest or motion in matter (SI unit: Newton)

Back 42

Force

Front 43

An object of known mass, not attached to a supporting or guiding structure, which is used for physical conditioning and competitive lifting.

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Free Weight

Front 44

a sugar

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gluclose

Front 45

A diet or exercise-diet procedure that elevates muscle glycogen stores to concentrations two to three times normal.

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Glycogen-Loading (supercompensation)

Front 46

The incomplete chemical breakdown of glycogen.

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glycolysis

Front 47

The effect (usually beneficial) that the manner, attention, and caring of a provider have on a patient during a medical encounter regardless of what medical procedures or services the encounter involves. 2. The influence upon an observation of the observer’s perception of the characteristics of the individual observed (other than the characteristic under study) of the influence of the observer’s recollection or knowledge of finding on a previous occasion.

Back 47

Halo Effect

Front 48

The effect (usually positive or beneficial) of being under study upon the persons being studied; their knowledge of the study often influences their behavior.

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Hawthorn Effect

Front 49

The difference between the resting heart rate and the maximal heart rate.

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Heart Rate Reserve

Front 50

A condition of fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to environmental heat. May be associated with headache, nausea, and vomiting.

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Heat Exhaustion

Front 51

A complex molecule found in read blood cells, which contains iron (heme) and protein (globin) and is capable of combining with oxygen.

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Hemoglobin (hgb)

Front 52

Presence of an abnormally large amount of CO2 in the circulating blood: increased partial pressure of CO2 resulting in extra stimulation of respiratory area.

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Hypercapnia

Front 53

A general term for elevated concentrations of any or all of the lipids in the plasma, such as cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins.

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Hyperlipidemia

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high blood pressure

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hypertension

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an increase in the size of a cell or organ

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hypertrophy

Front 56

Lower than normal blood sugar level due to inadequate supply or regulation; may be the result of excessive blood insulin.

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hypoglycemia

Front 57

Lack of adequate oxygen due to a reduced oxygen partial pressure.

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hypoxia

Front 58

The rate at which new events occur in a population. The numerator is the number of new events that occur in a defined period; the denominator is the population at risk of experiencing the event during this period.

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incidence rate

Front 59

Force of myocardial contraction; a shift in the Frank-Starling curve to the right or to the left.

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inotropic

Front 60

A hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas that causes increased cellular uptake of glucose.

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insulin

Front 61

The index and comparison groups are selected and compared in such a manner that the observed differences between them on the dependent variables under study may, apart from sampling error, be attributed only to the hypothesized effect under investigation.

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internal validity

Front 62

A system of physical conditioning in which the body is subjected to short but regularly repeated periods of work stress interspersed with adequate periods of relief.

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interval training

Front 63

Complex carbohydrate stored within muscle cells; the glucose subunits are used as a ready source of energy for muscle metabolism

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intramuscular glycogen

Front 64

A local and temporary deficiency of blood and oxygen, chiefly caused by narrowing of a blood vessel.

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ischemic

Front 65

A unit of work or energy equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water 1° C.

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kilocalorie (kcal)

Front 66

A unit of work.

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Kilogram-Meters (kg-m)

Front 67

a unit of energy

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Kilojoules (kJ)

Front 68

Scientific study of human movement. Includes such aspects of study as exercise physiology, motor learning/control, and biomechanics.

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kinesiology

Front 69

A series of chemical reactions occurring in mitochondria, in which carbon dioxide is produced and hydrogen ions and electrons are removed from carbon atoms (oxidation). Also referred to as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), or citric acid cycle

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Krebs Cycle

Front 70

The point during exercise where a nonlinear increase in blood lactate occurs.

Back 70

lactate threshold

Front 71

A fatiguing metabolite produced during anaerobic glycolysis: resulting from the incomplete breakdown of glucose (sugar).

Back 71

lactic acid

Front 72

An anaerobic energy system in which ATP is manufactured when glucose (sugar) is broken down to lactic acid. High-intensity efforts requiring 1 to 3 minutes before energy (ATP) is primarily drawn from this system. More commonly referred to as anaerobic glycolysis.

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Lactic Acid System (LA system)

Front 73

the body weight minus the weight of the body fat

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lean body mass (weight)

Front 74

The quantity of matter of an object that is reflected in its inertia (SI unit: kilogram).

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mass

Front 75

The maximal rate at which oxygen can be consumed per minute; the power or capacity of the aerobic or oxygen system.

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Maximal Aerobic Power or Maximal Oxygen Consumption (max VO2)

Front 76

The greatest force output that an individual can generate from a muscle group through only volitional control.

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Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC)

Front 77

The amount of oxygen required per minute under resting, sitting conditions. It is approximately 3.5 mL of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute (mL ⋅ kg -1 ⋅ min -1).

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MET (Metabolic Equivalent)

Front 78

A system of biochemical reactions that cause the formation of waste products (metabolites) and the manufacture of ATP; for example, the ATP-PC, anaerobic glycolysis, and oxygen system

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Metabolic System

Front 79

The substance produced by a metabolic reaction.

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metabolism

Front 80

The amount of air inspired (V1) or expired (VE) in one minute; usually it refers to the expired amount

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minute ventilation

Front 81

A subcellular structure found in all cells in which the reactions of the Krebs Cycle and electron transport system take place.

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mitochondria

Front 82

A nerve cell, which when stimulated affects muscular contraction. Most motoneurons innervate skeletal muscle

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motoneuron

Front 83

An individual alpha motor nerve and all the muscle fibers it innervates

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motor unit

Front 84

The ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated contractions against a light load for an extended period of time.

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muscular endurance

Front 85

The force or tension that a muscle or group of muscles can exert against a resistance in one maximal effort

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muscular strength

Front 86

An oxygen-binding pigment similar to hemoglobin that gives the red muscle fiber its color. It acts as an oxygen store and aids in the diffusion of oxygen

Back 86

myoglobin

Front 87

Myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase: an enzyme found in myosin that catalyzes ATP degradation to ADP and Pi; a marker for muscle fiber contraction speed.

Back 87

Myosin-ATPase (m-ATPase)

Front 88

A condition in which less energy (food) is taken in than is given off; body weight decreases as a result.

Back 88

negative energy balance

Front 89

Force times distance applied in the same direction as the pull of gravity; assisted by gravity.

Back 89

negative work

Front 90

The amount of oxygen above resting values, required to perform a given amount of work. Also referred to as net cost of exercise

Back 90

net oxygen cost

Front 91

A nerve cell consisting of a cell body (soma), with its nucleus and cytoplasm, dendrites and axon.

Back 91

neuron

Front 92

Progressively increasing the volume of exercise during workouts over the course of the training program as fitness capacity improves

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overhead principle

Front 93

Imbalance between high volume and/or high intensity training and adequate recovery., resulting in disturbances in physical performance, biologic function, and mood state.

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overtraining

Front 94

The amount or rate at which oxygen can be consumed per minute

Back 94

oxygen consumption

Front 95

The amount of oxygen consumed during recovery from exercise, above that ordinarily consumed at rest in the same time period. There is a rapid component (alactacid) and a slow component (lactacid).

Back 95

oxygen debt

Front 96

The time period during exercise in which the level of oxygen consumption is below that necessary to supply all the ATP required for the exercise; the time period during which an oxygen debt is contracted.

Back 96

oxygen deficit

Front 97

Composed of the stroke volume (SV), the heart rate (HR), and the arterial-mixed venous oxygen difference (a-∨O2 diff.). Mathematically, it is defined as Vo2 = SV x HR X a-vO2 diff.

Back 97

Oxygen Transport System (VO2)

Front 98

An inert medication or procedure. The placebo effect is attributable to the expectation that the regimen will have an effect, i.e., the effect is due to the power of suggestion

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placebo effect

Front 99

A chemical compound stored in muscle, which when broken down aids in manufacturing ATP.

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Phosphocreatine (PC):

Front 100

A condition in which more energy (food) is taken in than is given off; body weight increases as a result

Back 100

positive energy balance

Front 101

Force times distance applied in opposition to the pull of gravity

Back 101

positive work

Front 102

The rate of performing work; the product of force and velocity. The rate of transformation of metabolic potential energy to work or heat (SI unit; watt).

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power

Front 103

The total number of all individuals who have an attribut or disease at a particular time (or during a particular period) divided by the population at risk of having the attribute or disease at this point in time or midway through the period

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prevalence rate

Front 104

Comprehensive term to cover a wide variety of muscular strength or endurance training practices when progressive overload is emphasized.

Back 104

Progress-Resistance Exercise (PRE)

Front 105

The product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, which provides a noninvasive estimate of myocardial oxygen consumption

Back 105

rate pressure product

Front 106

Net amount of oxygen consumed during recovery from exercise; oxygen consumed in excess of the amount consumed at rest over the same time period (reported in liters).

Back 106

recovery oxygen

Front 107

A cellular process where food substrates are broken down to CO2 and H2 in the presence of O2 to liberate chemical energy.

Back 107

respiration

Front 108

The ratio of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the body to the amount of oxygen consumed (Vco2/Vo2).

Back 108

Respiratory Exchange Ratio (R)

Front 109

A proposed mechanism for muscle action where shortening and elongation are the result of actin protein filaments sliding inward and outward over myosin protein filaments.

Back 109

sliding filament theory

Front 110

A muscle fiber characterized by slow contraction time, low anaerobic capacity, and high aerobic capacity, all making the fiber suited for low-power output activities. Also known as Type I fiber.

Back 110

slow twitch fiber

Front 111

Principle underlying construction of a training program for a specific activity or skill and the primary energy system(s) involved during performance. For example, a training program for sprinters would consist of repeated bouts of sprints in order to develop both sprinting performance and the ATP-PC system.

Back 111

specificity of training

Front 112

Umbrella term that refers to all aspects of sport and exercise science, especially as used in the U.S.; examples are kinesiology, cardiac rehabilitation, adult fitness, and athletic medicine.

Back 112

sports medicine

Front 113

A type of training system employing repeated sprints at maximal speed.

Back 113

sprint training

Front 114

Pertaining to the time period during which a physiological function (such as VO2)
remains at a constant (steady) value.

Back 114

steady state

Front 115

The maximal force or torque a muscle or muscle group can generate at a specific or determined velocity.

Back 115

strength

Front 116

Contraction of muscles to produce movement or tension due to muscle spindle stretch via a sharp tap on tendon or pull of gravity on skeleton.

Back 116

stretch reflex

Front 117

A predetermined heart rate to be obtained during exercise

Back 117

target heart rate (THR)

Front 118

Force applied to a structure that does not move; in muscle, the static or isometric tension developed with the recycling of ATP at cross-bridge sites

Back 118

tension

Front 119

The effectiveness of a force to overcome the rotational inertia of an object. The produce of force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation (SI unit; netwon-meter).

Back 119

torque

Front 120

Volume of air in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration

Back 120

total lung capacity (TLC)

Front 121

An exercise program to develop an individual for a particular event. Increasing skill of performance and energy capacities are of equal consideration

Back 121

training

Front 122

Commonly used classification for muscle fibers that display characteristics of slow twitch, nonfatigue, and mostly oxidative metabolism

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type 1 muscle fiber

Front 123

Commonly used classification for muscle fibers that display characteristics of fast twitch, medium fatigue, and combined oxidative and glycolytic metabolism.

Back 123

type 2a muscle fiber

Front 124

Commonly used classification for muscle fibers that display characteristics of fast twitch, rapid fatigue, and mostly glycolytic metabolism.

Back 124

type 2b muscle fiber

Front 125

The amount of ventilation required per liter of oxygen consumed (i.e., VE/Vo2).

Back 125

Ventilatory Efficiency

Front 126

Maximal volume of air forcefully expired after maximal inspiration

Back 126

vital capacity

Front 127

A unit of power.

Back 127

watt

Front 128

The force exerted by gravity on an object (SI unit: newton; traditional unit; kilogram of weight). (Note: mass = weight ⋅ acceleration due to gravity -1).

Back 128

weight

Front 129

Force expressed through a displacement but with no limitation on time (SI unit: joule). (Note: 1 newton x 1 meter = 1 joule).

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work