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

 

Set
Fixed number of repetitions. For example, 10 repetitions may comprise one set.

Slow Twitch
Muscle cells that contract slowly are resistant to fatigue and are utilized in endurance activities such as long-distance running, cycling or swimming.

Spot
Assist if called upon by someone performing an exercise.

Spotter
Person who watches a person closely to see if any help is needed during a specific exercise.

Static Stretch
A stretch that is held within the stretched position for several seconds, without movement.

Sticking Point
Most difficult part of a movement.

Straight Sets
Groups of repetitions (SETS) interrupted by only brief pauses, (30-90) seconds.

Strength
The ability of a muscle to produce maximum force.

Strength Training
Using resistance weight training to build maximum muscle force.

Stress Fracture
Fine, hairline fracture of the bone usually from repetitive stress; it may not show in an X-ray for several weeks; characterized by sharp persistent pain; Stress fractures are commonly caused by overuse, hard surfaces, or improper footwear.

Stretch Reflex
The body's automatic defensive action that stops the stretch action and protects against severe injury or abuse during stretching; see proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Golgi tendon organ (GTO), and muscle spindle.

Striations
Grooves or ridge marks seen under the skin, the ultimate degree of muscle definition.

Stroke
A condition which occurs from insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.

Stroke Volume
Amount of blood pumped per beat by the left ventricle; increases with regular aerobic exercise.

Submaximal Aerobic Exercise Test
A cardiorespiratory fitness test designed so that the intensity does not exceed 85 percent of heart-rate reserve or maximal oxygen uptake; this provides an estimation of maximal oxygen uptake without the risks associated with maximal exercise testing.

Sugar
Although the consumer is confronted by a wide variety of sugars -- sucrose, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, honey, corn syrup -- there is no significant difference in the nutritional content or energy each provides, and therefore no advantage of one nutritionally over another. There also is no evidence that the body can distinguish between naturally occurring or added sugars in food products.

Super Set
Alternating back and forth between two exercises until the prescribed number of sets is completed.

Sympathetic Nervous System
Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for activity by speeding up the heart rate.