Fitness and Human Performance

A set of vocabulary flashcards from the lecture notes on the history of fitness, exercise science, and human performance.

Ballistic training

A type of training that involves explosive movements, often to improve power and speed.

Plyometrics

Exercises that involve explosive movement, designed to increase power.

Calisthenics

Exercise consisting of a variety of movements that engage large muscle groups, often performed without equipment.

Aerobics

A form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines.

Jiggle Machine

A fitness device introduced in 1966 that aimed to help people lose weight without traditional methods of exercise.

Resistance training

A type of exercise that involves working against a force to increase muscle strength.

Sliding Filament Theory

A theory that explains how muscles contract by the sliding of actin and myosin filaments past each other.

Muscle fiber types

Types of muscle fibers include Type 1 (slow-twitch for endurance) and Type II (fast-twitch for power and speed).

Proprioception

The body's ability to perceive its own position in space, crucial for coordinated movement.

Cardiac conduction

The electrical impulses that regulate the timing of heartbeats.

Maximal Heart Rate

The highest heart rate an individual can achieve during intense exercise.

Muscle contraction types

Isometric (no change in length), concentric (shortening), and eccentric (lengthening).

Overtraining

Accumulation of training stress that leads to long-term performance decrements.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Anabolic hormones

Hormones that promote muscle growth, such as testosterone and growth hormone.

Catabolic hormones

Hormones that promote the breakdown of muscle, such as cortisol.

Eustress

Positive stress that can motivate and improve performance.

Detraining

The loss of fitness levels and physiological adaptations due to cessation of training.

Osteoporosis

A condition characterized by weakened bones and a higher risk of fractures.

Resistance training protocols

Guidelines and methods to effectively increase strength and hypertrophy.

SAID Principle

Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands; the body adapts specifically to the demands placed on it.