GCE Edexcel AS Keywords

Actin

Thin protein filament found in the myofibril.

Adenosine tri phosphate (ATP)

The energy currency of the body, found in all cells, when broken down it releases stored energy.

Aerobic

With oxygen.

Agonist

Muscle primarily responsible for a given movement

All or None Law

Each muscle fibre within a motor unit either contract or do not contract; there is no such thing as a partial contraction

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes an agonist for a given movement and prevent overstretching of the agonist.

Bradycardia

The reduction in resting heart rate that accompanies training. Resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute.

Centre of mass

The point where all the mass of a body is concentrated and the sum of all the moments of inertia of the body is zero

Dehydration

The condition which occurs when the amount of water in the body falls below normal, disrupting the balances of sugars and salt (electrolytes) in the body

Electrolytes

Ions (electrically charged particles) of salts such as sodium

Electrolyte balance

The proportion/concentration of electrolytes within the fluids of the body.

Fixator

A muscle which allows the prime mover to work more efficiently by stabilising the bone where the prime mover originates.

Glycolysis

Process of breaking down glycogen into pyruvic acid, producing some (4) ATP.

Hydration

Being hydrated means the body has the correct amount of water in cells, tissues and organs to function correctly.

Hypertonic drinks

When the glucose osmolality of the drink is greater than the blood.

Hypotonic drinks

When the glucose osmolality of the drink is lower than the blood.

Isotonic drinks

When the glucose osmolality of the drink is the same as blood.

Karvonen's Theory

A method of calculating target heart rate zone. Target Heart Rate = target heart rate range × %Intensity) + resting HR

Motor neurones

Nerves that carry information from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles.

Motor units

A motor neurone and the muscle fibres it controls.

Movement time

Time from the start of the response or movement to the completion of the movement.

Myofibril

Part of a muscle fibre contains sarcomeres and the contractile proteins actin and myosin.

Myoglobin

Protein found in the sarcoplasm. It has a high affinity for oxygen and helps transport oxygen from the capillary to the mitochondria.

Myosin

Thick protein filament found in the myofibril.

Optimal loading

A rehabilitation programme to encourage faster recovery.

Partial pressure

The pressure a gas exerts in a mixture of gases

Periodisation

Dividing the overall training programme into parts/periods that are designed to achieve different goals.

Phosphocreatine (PC)

An energy-rich compound of creatine and phosphoric acid, found in the muscle cells.

Pressure gradient

When there is a difference in neighbouring or adjoining pressures

Prime mover

The muscle that is directly responsible for creating the movement produced at a joint.

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

A subjective rating (on the Borg Scale) of how hard the performer thinks their body is working based on their physical sensations during exercise such as increased heart rate, breathing rate, sweating and muscle fatigue.

Synergist

A muscle which aids the action of a prime mover by stabilising the joint at which the prime mover acts.

Tropomyosin

Thread-like protein that winds around the surface of actin.

Troponin

Globular protein on actin filament.

Type I

Also known as slow twitch muscle fibres, they are suited to low intensity aerobic work, can be used for a long period of time without fatiguing.

Type IIa

These are fast oxidative glycotic muscle fibres, fast contraction, large force, fatigue easily. They are used in anaerobic work, but can be improved through endurance training to increase their resistance to fatigue.

Type IIx (previously type IIb)

These are fast glycotic muscle fibres, very rapid contractions, very large forces, fatigues very easily. They are used in anaerobic work.

Wave summation

An increase in contraction strength as result of muscles that are rapidly stimulated being unable to relax between repeated stimulations.

Recovery phase of a skill

Refers to the body movements occurring after the execution phase. This phase is where the movement slows down after impact and the player prepares for the next action. For example, the high leg-lift after place-kicking a goal. The follow-through is important in slowing the body parts down over a longer period of time, absorbing the forces produced and helping to prevent injuries.

Spatial Summation

Fatigue is spread across the entire muscle rotating the recruitment across all the fibres to build in recovery time.

Pressure Gradient

Difference in neighboring or adjoining pressures.

Gaseous Exchange

The movement of gases.

Diffusion

The movement of gases to one area to another (high to low pressure)

VO2 Max

Maximum volume of O2 that can be taken into the body and utilised.

Tidal Volume

The respiratory volume during normal quiet breathing

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

The amount of air that forcibly inspire beyond the tidal volume

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The amount of air that can be evacuated from the lungs after tidal volume

Residual Volume

The amount of air that remains in the lungs after expiration

Inspiratory Capacity

The total amount of air that can be inspired after tidal expiration

Functional Residual Capacity

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after tidal volume

Vital Capacity

The total amount of exchangeable air

Total Lung Capacity

The sum of all lung volumes

Anatomical dead space

Some of the inspired air fills the conducting passage ways and never contributes to gaseous exchange

Muscular endurance

The ability of a muscle group to sustain repeated contractions over time sufficient enough to cause muscle fatigue

Aerobic Endurance

The ability to provide and sustain vigorous total body activity aerobically

Strength

The maximum force exerted by a specific muscle or muscle group during a single maximal muscle contraction. Or 1 Repetition maximum

Speed

The maxium rate which a person is able to move his or her body

Flexibility

the range of movement at a joint

Body Composition

The relative percentage of fat, bone and muscle

Power

The ability to use strength quickly

Reaction Time

Time taken to respond to a stimulus

Agility

The ability to change body position quickly

Coordination

The ability to perform smooth and accurate motor tasks, often involving the use of senses (Hand and Eye)

Balance

The ability to retain the centre of mass of a sportsman body over the base of support

What is periodisation?

Dividing the year up into blocks called cycles with specific training in each cycle.

Macrocyle

Can last a year or a season. Consists of a preparation phase, competition phase and transition phase.

Mesocycle

Lasts 4-12 weeks. There is a specific focus, e.g. new skills or improving power.

Microcycle

Lasts one week, there may be 4 microcycles in one month. A plan for training sessions over a week is made.

Preparation phase

Consists of general conditioning and maintaining high fitness levels.

Competition phase

Consists of improving skills and techniques, performance and tactics and maintaining high fitness levels.

Transition phase

Consists of active rest and recovery.

Double periodisation

When an athlete needs to peak more than once in a season - e.g. for cross country in the winter and track in the summer, so repeat cycles within a year.

Tapering

Reducing the intensity of training prior to a competition.

Peaking

Planning the training so you''re at your peak for a major competition.

Sub-maximal aerobic fitness:

the ability to maintain a high percentage of VO2 max for a prolonged period of time. This is essential for long duration aerobic activity, for example long distance running.

Maximal aerobic fitness:

the maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized in one minute. This is the upper limit of the aerobic system (the person's VO2 max).

Exercise economy:

energy required to maintain a constant velocity of movement. This is the ability to transfer energy into movement. For example, if two people running at the same speed, one of them could be using less energy than the other because they are more economic.

Anaerobic capacity:

the amount of energy obtained from anaerobic sources (creatine phosphate breakdown and anaerobic glycolysis) in a single bout of exercise. This is the greatest amount of energy that can be released from the anaerobic system. There is only a limited amount of energy that can be produced anaerobically, when it is used up the athlete must slow down however it can be (partially) replenished during rest intervals or low-intensity periods of a match.

Anaerobic power:

the rate at which energy is produced. This is the fastest rate at which energy (ATP) can be produced anaerobically during an activity. If two athletes are equal in terms of movement economy, then the athlete with greatest anaerobic power will be the fastest. It is an important factor in sprint speed but not the only factor.

Maximum speed:

The time taken to move a body (part or whole) through a movement over a pre-determined distance OR speed (distance divided by time). This is the fastest sprint speed attainable. It is determined not only by the rate of ATP production but also by fast twitch fibre recruitment and force production. The diagram above shows the main physiological factors that influence these determinants of performance.

Muscular endurance:

the ability of a muscle or specific group of muscles to sustain repeated contractions against a resistance for an extended period of time.

VO2 max:

maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized in one minute.

Anaerobic capacity:

the amount of energy obtained from anaerobic sources (creatine phosphate breakdown and anaerobic glycolysis) in a single bout of exercise.

Maximal strength:

The maximum force that can be developed in a muscle or group of muscles during a single maximal contraction.

Strength:

The force that can be developed in a muscle or group of muscles during a contraction.

Power:

The rate at which force is produced. Speed x Strength

Speed:

Time taken to move a body (part or whole) through a movement over a pre-determined distance OR speed (distance divided by time).

Agility:

Changing position quickly and with control without losing balance in response to a stimulus.

Coordination:

The ability of the body to link movements together, either with other movements or in relation to an external object

Reaction time:

The time taken for a performer to respond to a stimulus and the initiation of their response.

Balance:

The ability to maintain your centre of mass over a base of support. There are two types: static and dynamic.

Flexibility:

The range of movement available at a joint.

Exercise economy:

Energy required to maintain a constant velocity of movement.

Agonist

The muscle that is the primary instigator of a joint when it contracts

Antagonist

The muscle that opposes the motion of the agonist becoming shorter in length

Concentric

A muscular contraction that involves the muscle becoming shorter in length

Eccentric

A muscular contraction that involves the muscle lengthening

Isometric

A muscular contraction that involves no change in muscle length

Isotonic

Describes a change in muscular length as it undergoes contraction