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
Calorie
A measure of energy from food. (3,500 kilocalories
of food energy = 1 pound of body weight).
Also the amount of heat required to raise
the temperature of 1 gram of water 1°
C (1000 calories = 1 kilocalorie). An
interesting fact: When we see "Calories" on a food label it is actually measuring kilocalories.
Carbohydrate
Compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen used by the body
as a fuel source. Two main groups are sugars
and
starch.
Carbohydrate Loading
Increase consumption of carbohydrates
in liquid or food form normally three
days
prior to an endurance type event.
Cardiovascular Training
Physical conditioning that strengthens
heart and blood vessels, the result of
which is an increase in the ability for
your body muscles to utilize fuel more
effectively resulting in a greater level
of exercising.
Catabolism
The breakdown of lean muscles mass, normally
as a result of injury, immobilization
and poor dieting techniques.
Cellulose
Indigestible fibre in foods.
Cheating
Too much weight used on an exercise,
therefore relying on surrounding muscle
groups for
assistance in the movement; or changing
joint angles for more leverage, as in
arching back in bench press.
Chelating Agents
Soluble organic compounds that can fit
certain metallic ions into their molecular
structure.
Cholesterol
A fat lipid which has both good and bad
implications within the human body. Good
being known as HDL and bad being LDL.
Bad cholesterol is associated with heart
disease
and stroke, whereas the body requires
cholesterol for the production of many
steroid hormones.
Chronic Disease
A disease or illness that is associated
with lifestyle or environment factors
as opposed to infectious diseases (hypo
kinetic
diseases are considered to be chronic
diseases).
Circuit Training
Going quickly from one exercise apparatus
to another and doing a prescribed number
of exercises or time on each apparatus,
keeps pulse rate high and promote overall
fitness, by generally working all muscle
groups as well as heart and lungs.
Clean
Lifting weight from floor to shoulder
in one motion.
Coenzyme
A substance that works with an enzyme
to promote the enzyme's activity.
Complete Proteins
Proteins that contain all the essential
amino acids.
Compound Training
Sometimes called “giant sets”; doing
3-4 exercises for same muscle, one after
the
other, with minimal rest in between.
Concentric Contraction
An isotonic muscle contraction, where
a muscle contracts or shortens.
Congestive Heart Failure
The inability of the heart muscle to
pump the blood at a life sustaining rate.
Cool Down
Moderate then light activity, normally
followed by stretching.
Coronary Circulation
Circulation of blood to the heart muscle
associated with the blood carrying capacity
of a specific vessel or development of
collateral vessels (extra blood vessels).
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Diseases of the heart muscle and the
blood vessels that supply it with oxygen,
including
heart attack.
Coronary Occlusion
The blocking of the coronary blood vessels.
Creatine Phosphate
An inorganic phosphate molecule which
binds with ADP and form ADT. Produced
naturally
within the body, however creatine mono
hydrate supplements have helped a number
of athletes boost their performances.
Crunches – Abdominal exercises
Sit-ups done on the floor with legs on
bench, hands behind the neck.
Curl Bar
Cambered bar designed for more comfortable
grip and less forearm strain.
Cutting Up
Reducing body fat and water retention
to increase muscle definition.
