Appendix I: Glossary
abdominals (abs): the muscles that support the area of the body between the chest and the pelvis
aerobic: needing oxygen for physical activity
aerobic exercise: physical activity that increases the intake of oxygen, and improves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
balance: the even distribution of weight that enables a person to remain upright and steady; also called equilibrium
ballistic stretching: a form of stretching that uses momentum to force a muscle group or joint beyond its normal range of motion
blood pressure: pressure exerted against arterial walls
body weight exercises: a type of exercise in which the weight of your body is used as resistance (example: modified push-ups)
calf muscles: the two large muscles in the back of the lower leg
cardiovascular fitness: another term for aerobic fitness—cardio for heart; vascular for blood vessels
core: the muscles of the hips, pelvis, trunk, shoulders, and neck
cramp: a sudden, involuntary, painful contraction of a muscle
diastolic: the lower (bottom) number in a blood pressure reading that reflects pressure within arteries between heartbeats
DOMS: delayed onset muscle soreness, a condition involving muscle overuse that usually develops a day or two after an especially demanding workout
dynamic stretches: stretches designed to move the body through a range of motion that mimics the physical activity in which you are participating
extension: straightening or extending a joint or limb of the body
fasting plasma glucose test: a measurement of glucose levels after not having anything to eat or drink (other than water) for at least eight hours before the test
flexion: bending a joint or limb of the body
flexibility: the range of motion through which a joint moves
free weights: dumbbells, barbells, or kettlebells (examples) used in resistance training
hamstrings: muscles or tendons behind the back part of the upper legs
high-impact aerobic exercise: physical activity that results in a heart rate of approximately 80-85 percent of maximum, and in which there is a greater impact on bones and joints
HIIT: high intensity interval training involving short bursts of intense activity followed by brief recovery periods
ligament: a tissue that connects bones or cartilage
low impact aerobic exercise: physical activity in which there is a less demanding cardiovascular effort and in which one foot is always in contact with the ground or surface
maximum heart rate: the heart rate a person should not exceed for any extended length of time
medial tibial stress syndrome: the medical term for shin splints
MET: a unit of measurement used to estimate the amount of oxygen used during physical activity
mobility: the ability to move in one’s environment with ease and without restriction
muscle imbalance: refers to opposite muscle groups (biceps/triceps, for example) that are not balanced in terms of strength
obesity: a higher level of being overweight in relation to height, sometimes defined as being 20 percent over healthy weight
osteoarthritis (OA): a disease characterized by the degeneration of cartilage and the underlying bone
osteopenia: lower than normal bone density
osteoporosis: a disease in which the bones become weak, brittle, and porous
overweight: a weight that is not healthy for a person of a given height
plantar faciitis: an inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom surface of the foot from the heel to the base of the toes
pronation: the action of the feet when the ankles turn inward when walking or running (also refers to the motion of the forearm when turning the palm downward.)
quadriceps: large muscles on the upper front area of the legs
recovery heart rate: the time it takes the heart to return to its normal resting rate after exercise
repetition (rep): the single act of lifting or moving a part of the body against resistance
resistance training: a form of exercise that involves movement or attempted movement against resistance (or load)
sarcopenia: age-related loss of muscle mass and strength
set: the number of repetitions of an exercise movement
shin splints: an informal term for pain in the front or inner part of the lower leg
sprain: an injury caused by forcing a joint beyond its normal range of motion
strain: a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, informally referred to as a pulled muscle
strength: the ability to exert force against resistance
stress fracture: a type of broken bone in which there are small cracks often caused by repetitive application of force or overuse
systolic: the top (upper) number in a blood pressure reading that reflects pressure within arterial walls when the heart muscle contracts
target heart rate zone: a heart rate range of approximately 55 to 85 percent of maximum heart rate in which a person strives to train aerobically
tendon: a tissue that connects muscles to bones and cartilage
torso: the trunk of the body
weight training: also called resistance training, in which a person lifts or moves weights in order to gain muscle strength or endurance
The post Appendix I: Glossary appeared first on University Health News.
Read Original Article: Appendix I: Glossary »
Powered by WPeMatico