FITNESS TERMINOLOGY
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Abduction
Movement of a limb away from middle of
body, such as bringing arms to shoulder
height from hanging down position.
Abs
Abbreviation for abdominal muscles.
Absolute Strength
The maximum amount a person can lift in
one repetition.
Accommodating Resistance
Increasing resistance as lifters force
increases through range of motion. Nautilus
machines are said to provide accommodating
resistance.
Acid-Base Balance
The mechanisms by which
the pH of the body fluids are kept in a
state of balance so that arterial blood
is kept at a constant pH level of 7.35
to 7.45; The pH of blood is kept from becoming
too acidic or alkaline through respiration,
buffers, and work done by the kidney.
Acquired Ageing
The acquisition of characteristics commonly
associated with ageing but that are, in
fact, caused by immobility or sedentary
living.
Active Stretch
Muscles are stretched using the contraction
of the opposing muscle, (antagonist). For
an example stretching the triceps, requires
the biceps to contract.
Adduction
Movement of a limb toward middle of body,
such as bringing arms to side from extended
position at shoulder.
Adhesion
Fibrous patch holding muscles or other
parts together that are normally separated.
ADP (Adenosine Diphospahate)
ADP is formed when ATP is broken down within
the bodies cell furnace, (the mitochondria).
This provides energy for muscular contraction.
Aerobic capacity
Another term for maximal oxygen uptake
(VO2 Max)
Aerobic Exercise, (with oxygen)
Activity in which the body is able to supply
adequate oxygen to the working muscles,
for a period of time. Running, cross-country
skiing and cycling are examples of aerobic
activities.
Agonist
Muscle directly engaged in contraction
that is primarily responsible for movement
of a body part.
All-or-None
Muscle fibre contracts fully or it does
not contract at all.
All Natural
Athletes, especially body builders who
can avoid using steroids or other banned
substances.
Amino Acids
Twenty- two basic building blocks of the
body that make up proteins.
Anabolic Steroid
Synthetic chemical that mimics the muscle
building characteristics of the male hormone
testosterone.
Anaerobic Exercise, (without oxygen)
Activities in which oxygen demands of muscles
are so high that they rely upon an internal
metabolic process for oxygen, resulting
in lactic acid build up. Short bursts of
“all-out” activities such as sprinting
or weightlifting are anaerobic.
Anaerobic Threshold
The point at which you begin working your
muscles without oxygen, from an aerobic
level, believed to be at about 87% of your
Maximum Heart Rate.
Angina Pectoris
Chest or arm pain resulting from reduced
oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Antagonist
Muscle that counteracts the agonist, lengthening
when the agonist muscle contracts.
Anti - Catabolism
Supplements such as glutamine, used to
prevent breakdown within the body, in order
to promote muscle growth.
Antioxidants
Vitamins A, C and E, along with various
minerals, which are useful to protect the
body from “free radicals”. Free radicals
are unstable cells, which react with each,
naturally created in the body, and also
caused by factors such as smoking and radiation.
Free radicals may cause cell damage, which
leads to disease.
Arteriosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries due to conditions
that cause the arterial walls to become
thick, hard, and none elastic.
Assimilation
The process in which foods are utilized
and absorbed by the body.
Arteriosclerosis
The deposition of materials along the arterial
walls, a type of arteriosclerosis.
Atrophy
Decrease in size and functional ability
of tissue or organs.
