Texas PE EC-12 (Exam 258) Vocabulary

Comprehensive set of 80 vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, principles, and terminology from Texas PE EC-12 (Exam 258).

Physical literacy

The movement competence, knowledge, motivation, and confidence that support participation in activity throughout life.

Physical education vs. physical activity

PE is planned teaching and assessment about movement and health. Physical activity is bodily movement that uses energy.

Motor development

Changes in movement abilities across growth and the lifespan, influenced by maturation, experience, and environment.

Motor learning

A relatively lasting change in movement capability produced by practice or experience.

Motor performance

The movement a person demonstrates at a particular moment; fatigue or anxiety can change it temporarily.

Developmentally appropriate instruction

Teaching matched to learners' readiness, needs, and experience, while addressing suitable learning goals.

Blocked practice

Repeating one skill or condition before switching to a different one.

Variable practice

Practicing a skill under changing conditions, such as distance, speed, or direction.

Transfer of learning

The influence of learning one task on another task; the influence may help or interfere.

Knowledge of results vs. performance

Results feedback describes the outcome. Performance feedback describes how the movement was executed.

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic feedback

Intrinsic feedback comes from the learner's senses. Extrinsic feedback comes from an outside source.

Instructional cue

A short, specific reminder that directs attention to an important movement feature.

Locomotor skill

A movement that transports the body from one place to another.

Nonlocomotor skill

Movement around a relatively stable base without traveling to a new place.

Manipulative skill

Movement that controls an object using the body or an implement.

Hop vs. leap

A hop takes off and lands on the same foot. A leap takes off from one foot and lands on the other after flight.

Jump vs. skip

A basic jump uses a two-foot takeoff and landing. A skip alternates a step-hop pattern.

Gallop vs. slide

A gallop uses a step-together pattern with the same leading foot. A slide uses a similar pattern while traveling sideways.

Personal vs. general space

Personal space is the area immediately around one's body. General space is the shared area available for movement.

Pathway and level

Pathway is the route traveled, such as straight or curved. Level describes low, middle, or high body positioning.

Base of support

The area under and between the body's points of contact with a surface.

Center of mass

The point representing the average location of the body's mass; its position changes with body shape.

Stability

Resistance to losing balance; a larger support base and lower center of mass generally improve it.

Force and impulse

Force is a push or pull. Impulse is force applied over time and changes momentum.

Torque

The turning effect of a force applied about an axis.

Angular momentum

A measure of rotational motion. When external torque is negligible, pulling mass toward the axis increases rotation speed.

Flexion vs. extension

Flexion generally decreases the angle at a joint; extension increases it.

Abduction vs. adduction

Abduction moves away from the body's midline; adduction moves toward it.

Sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes

Sagittal divides left/right; frontal divides front/back; transverse divides upper/lower. Typical movements are forward bends, side raises, and trunk turns, respectively.

Weight transfer

Shifting body weight from one support or body part to another.

Invasion game

A game in which teams enter or use an opponent's territory to score while defending their own.

Net/wall game

A game in which players send an object over a net or against a wall into space an opponent must defend.

Striking/fielding game

A game in which one side strikes an object and scores while the other retrieves it and prevents scoring.

Target game

A game centered on sending an object accurately toward a target.

Tactic vs. technique

A tactic is a decision or strategy used to solve a game problem. Technique is how a movement is executed.

Beat, tempo, and rhythm

Beat is a regular pulse; tempo is its speed; rhythm is the pattern of durations and accents.

Cardiorespiratory endurance

The ability of the heart, lungs, and circulation to support sustained large-muscle activity.

Muscular strength

The capacity of a muscle or muscle group to exert force.

Muscular endurance

The ability to repeat or sustain muscular contractions over time.

Flexibility

The available range of motion at a joint or group of joints.

Body composition

The relative amounts of body tissues, including fat and fat-free tissues; it is not the same as body weight.

Agility

The ability to change direction quickly while maintaining control.

Balance

The ability to maintain equilibrium while still or moving.

Coordination

Organizing body movements and sensory information into an effective action.

Power

The rate of doing work; in movement, the ability to produce force rapidly.

Speed vs. reaction time

Speed describes how quickly movement occurs. Reaction time is the delay between a stimulus and the start of a response.

FITT

Frequency = how often; intensity = how hard; time = how long; type = the activity performed.

Overload

A training demand beyond the level to which the body is currently accustomed.

Progression

A gradual increase in training challenge as readiness and adaptation improve.

Specificity

Adaptations reflect the muscles, movement patterns, and energy demands being trained.

Reversibility

Training adaptations can decline when the training stimulus is reduced or stopped.

Individuality

People respond differently to activity and training because their characteristics and circumstances differ.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate: the immediate usable energy source for muscle contraction and other cellular work.

Phosphagen system

A rapid ATP-replenishing pathway using stored ATP and phosphocreatine; especially important in very short maximal efforts.

Anaerobic glycolysis

ATP production from carbohydrate breakdown without directly requiring oxygen in that pathway.

Aerobic metabolism

ATP production through oxygen-dependent pathways, important for sustained activity and recovery.

Perceived exertion and talk test

Perceived exertion is how hard activity feels. The talk test uses ease of speaking to help estimate intensity.

Heart-rate reserve (HRR)

Estimated maximum heart rate minus resting heart rate. HRR method target = $\text{resting rate} + (\text{HRR} \times \text{chosen intensity fraction})$.

Tendon vs. ligament

A tendon connects muscle to bone. A ligament connects bone to bone at a joint.

Acute response vs. chronic adaptation

An acute response happens during or soon after activity. A chronic adaptation develops over repeated training.

Dynamic vs. static stretching

Dynamic stretching uses controlled movement through a range. Static stretching holds a position without bouncing.

Recovery

Processes that restore readiness after activity, supported by rest, sleep, suitable nutrition, and hydration.

Carbohydrate, protein, and fat

Carbohydrate supplies fuel; protein supports tissue repair and many body functions; fat supports energy storage, cell functions, and nutrient absorption.

Hydration

Maintaining adequate body water to support functions such as temperature control and circulation.

Health literacy

The ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use health information and services.

TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: the state's curriculum standards describing what students should know and be able to do.

Measurable learning objective

A statement of an observable performance and the conditions or criteria used to judge success.

Direct instruction

A structured approach using explanation, modeling, guided practice, feedback, and checks for learning.

Guided discovery

Teaching through carefully chosen questions or movement problems that help learners find a concept.

Cooperative learning

Structured learning in which students share responsibility and work toward a common goal.

Tactical games approach

Using a modified game to reveal a tactical problem, then developing the skills and decisions needed to solve it.

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation comes from enjoyment or interest in the task. Extrinsic motivation involves outside rewards or consequences.

Emergency action plan (EAP)

A setting-specific plan assigning emergency roles, communication, access, equipment, and response procedures.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Planning to reduce barriers through options for engagement, representation, and action and expression.

Accommodation vs. modification

An accommodation changes access or how learning happens. A modification changes the expected learning or performance standard.

IEP vs. Section 504 plan

An IEP documents special education and related services under IDEA. A 504 plan documents access supports under Section 504; plans depend on individual needs.

Diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment

Diagnostic identifies starting needs; formative informs teaching during learning; summative evaluates learning after instruction.

Validity vs. reliability

Validity concerns whether evidence supports the intended interpretation. Reliability concerns consistency of measurement.

Criterion-referenced vs. norm-referenced assessment

Criterion-referenced compares performance with defined standards. Norm-referenced compares it with a reference group.

Rubric vs. checklist

A rubric describes levels of performance quality. A checklist records whether specified features are present.