VCE Physical Education Definitions

Adenosine diphosphate

A chemical compound made up of adenosine and two phosphate molecules

Adenosine triphosphate

A chemical compound made of adenosine and three phosphate molecules; energy released by its breakdown to allow cellular function and muscular movement

Aerobic Glycolysis

Breaking down of glycogen with sufficient oxygen; results in the release of by products of H2O (water), CO2 (carbon dioxide) and heat

Aerobic Training Zone

Training performed between 70-85% of maximum heart rate

Agility

The ability to change body position quickly and accurately, and to maintain balance whilst moving at speed

Anaerobic

Producing energy In the absence of O2

Aerobic

Producing energy with oxygen

Anaerobic Glycolysis

The breaking down of glycogen with insufficient oxygen, resulting in the production of lactic acid and the by products of lactate, hydrogen ions; contributes to fatigue

Arousal

A persons level of readiness or activation when faced with performance

Arterio-venous Oxygen Difference

A difference in the oxygen concentration of the arteries compared to the veins; a measure of how much oxygen the muscles are using

Balance

Maintaining equilibrium whilst stationary or moving

Biofeedback

Feedback about automatic body functions including heart rate and blood pressure; used to improve mental adaption

Blood Glucose

The main sugar found in the blood, and the bodies main source of energy

Buffering

Absorption of hydrogen ions to facilitate improved and sustained performance

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped out of the heae

Choking

A situation where an athletes performance deteriorates because of heightened sense of pressure or importance of an upcoming event

Chronic Adaptation

A long term change that occurs as a result of training

Concentric Contraction

When a muscle shortens as tension/force is developed

Coordination

The ability to use the bodies senses to execute motor skills effectively

Correlate

A relationship between two or more factors; a cause and effect.

Diastole

Relaxation phase of the hearty beat

Diastolic Blood Pressure

Pressure on the arteries when the heart relaxes or when ventricles fill with blood

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of high to low concentration

DOMS

Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness

Dynamic Flexibility

To move a joint quickly through its range of motion with little resistance

Eccentric Contraction

When a muscle lengthens as tension/force is developed

Electrolytes

Salts (charged particles or ions) used by muscle, nerve and heart to maintain voltage within membranes to allow electrical messages to be sent

EPOC

Excess Post Oxygen Consumption; Oxygen Debt

Flexion

Decreasing the angle of a joint

Glucose

A simple sugar produced by the breakdown of carboydrates

Glycogen Sparring

A long term adaptation (from aerobic training) that allows fats to be used over carbohydrates earlier in performance. Results in less use of anaerobic glycolysis system; allows glycogen to be used later

Glycolysis

The breakdown of glycogen anaerobically or aerobically

Goal Setting

The process of setting short or long term plans

Haemoglobin

Oxygen carrying compound found in red blood cells

Heart Rate

The number of times the heart beats per minute

Homeostasis

Self regulating process where body systems maintain stability whilst adjusting to change

Hypertension

Unusually high blood pressure

Hypotension

Unusually low blood pressure

Hyperthermia

Unusually high body temperature

Hypothermia

Unusually low body temperature

Informed Consent

Agreement made by a performer to continue with testing after being made aware of the risks involved

Intensity

The level of exertion being applied; usually measured as a percentage of hear rate maximum

Interplay

A situation where all three energy systems work together to produce ATP, with one being predominant at any one time

Isokinetic Contraction

When a muscle shortens or lengthens at maximal tension/force and constant velocity over the range of motion

Isometric Contraction

When a muscle length remains as tension/force is developed; i.e. wall sit, plank etc

Lactate Inflection Point

The point at which lactate production exceeds removal, also when the body is beginning to work anaerobically

Lactate Threshold

The ability of an athlete to continue to work in the presence of lactate

Ligaments

Connective tissue that connect bone to bone

Tendons

Connective tisue that connects bone to muscle

Maximal Test

A test performed to exhaustion, i.e. VO2 Max test

Mental Imagery

Picturing or visualising events in your mind

Metabolic Equivalent (MET)

Expressing energy cost of physical activity; 3 METS= 3 times the amount of energy expended at rest

Mitochondria

Part of a cell; the site of aerobic respiration

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and the muscle fibres it stimulates

Myofibrils

Part of muscle fibre that contains actin and myosin

Myoglobin

Oxygen carrying pigment found in muscle cells

Overload

A planned increase in training to cause a positive long term adaptation

Oxidation

The breakdown of fats or glycogen to CO2 and H20 in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP

Oxygen Debt

A lack of oxygen resulting from intense exercise

Oxygen Deficit

A temporary shortage of oxygen, usually at the start of exercise where oxygen demands are greater than what we can supply to the working muscles

Passive Recovery

A recovery usually involving rest or exercise at a low intensity

Peaking

Manipulation of training to make sure athlete is at their optimal physiological state before competition

Phosphocreatine

A chemical fuel made up of a phosphate and a creatine molecule; found in muscles and rapidly rebuilds ATP during explosive activities

Plateau

A period of where no change is seen

Plyometrics

Explosive movements done at maximal intensity

Reaction Time

The time from the presentation of a stimulus to the onset of a response

Reliability

The ability of a test to produce consistent results

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken in one minute

Self Efficacy

Confidence in your own ability to be active within certain circumstances

Specificity

The principle that exercising a certain way or exercising a certain body part will show improvement and development in that area

Static Flexibility

The ability to reach and hold a point in a joints range of motion

Steady State

When the body is able to supply sufficient oxygen to meet the oxygen demands

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle per beat

Systole

Contraction phase of the heart

Systolic Blood Pressure

The pressure on the arteries after the contraction of the ventricles as blood is pumped out of the heart

Tidal Volume

How much air is inspired and expired in one breath

Vasoconstriction

A decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the area supplying that blood vessel

Vasodilation

An increase in the diameter of a blood vessel, resulting in an increase in blood flow to the area supplying that blood vessel

Venous Pooling

Accumulation of blood in a part of the body

Ventilation

How much air is breathed in or out in a minute

VO2 Maximum

The maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken up, transported and used per minute

Acute Response

The initial responses to exercise

Direct Observation

To watch peoples behaviour within specific settings

Fatigue

The inability to sustain an exercise intensity or when performance begins to deteriorate

Aerobic Capacity

The ability of the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system to supply nutrients and oxygen to the muscles for sustained exercise

Muscular Strength

The maximal force that can be generated by a muscle or group of muscles in one maximal effort

Muscular Endurance

The ability of the muscles or group of muscles to perform repeated contractions for an extended period of time

Flexibility

The capacity of a joint to move through its full range of motion

Muscular Power

The ability to exert a force rapidly over a short period of time

Speed

How fast you can move your body from one point to another

Duration

Typically how long something is completed for

Frequency

How many times a week training is completed

Detraining

The termination of training and rapid return to pre training levels

Interval Training

Alternates period of work with periods of rest

Continuous Training

Also known as long slow distance, usually completed at an exercise intensity of 70-85% of maximum heart rate and completed for a minimum of 20 minutes

Fartlek Training

Speed play; a combination of speed bursts and continuous running

Resistance Training

The use of weights to improve performance and development

Circuit Training

A sequenced performance of exercises at different stations; completed as a fixed time, load or individual load

Core Strength Training

The development of the abdominal, gluteals and back muscles

Hydrotherapy

The use of water as part of a post-exercise recovery process