Year 12 PES Exercise Physiology Definitions

Glycemic index

A measure of the speed at which glucose is released into the bloodstream after eating carbohydrates. It is represented on a scale of 0-100.

High GI carbohydrates

Carbohydrates that are digested rapidly and raises blood glucose levels quickly. It provides a fast supply of glucose to the working muscles.

Low GI carbohydrates

Carbohydrates that take longer to digest and raises blood glucose levels slowly. It provides a more sustained supply of glucose to the working muscles.

Radiation

Transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves.

Conduction

Transfer of heat through direct contact with another object.

Convection

Heat exchanged by contact with fluid that is flowing.

Evaporation

The transfer of heat via water becoming a vapour.

Double heat load

The body is dealing with metabolic heat and environmental heat simultaneously.

Cardiac drift

An increase in heart rate that occurs during prolonged exercise in the heat, with little or no change in workload.

Acclimatisation

When a tolerance is developed by repeated exposure to hot environments.

Live high, train low

Athlete rests or sleeps at sea level to train at usual intensity, often using hypobaric chambers to obtain physiological adaptations.

Live high, train high

Athlete lives and trains at altitude to obtain the physiological benefits of hypoxic conditions.

Live low, train high

Athlete lives at sea level but trains in 'altitude conditions' to challenge their ability to train in a hypoxic environment.

Tapering

The reduction of training volume whilst maintaining or increasing intensity in the days/weeks leading up to a competition to allow the body to recover & perform optimally prior to competition.

Peaking

A temporary state where athletes are in full physical and mental condition to perform at their best at the appropriate time within the competitive season.

Maintenance

The aim of keeping fitness levels and adaptations gained, rather than continually overloading the body in training.

Periodisation

Involves breaking a training program into blocks of time (or phases), with specific goals and objectives set for each block of time.

Macrocycle

Large periods of time (months-1 year) within the training plan in which there is a major specific goal to achieve.

Mesocycle

Smaller periods of time (4-12 weeks) that have clear goals to achieve that contribute to the overall macrocycle goals.

Microcycle

Smallest periods of time within the training plan (typically a week) which combine to contribute towards the goal of the macrocycle.

Pre-season

The month/s where athletes prepare mentally and physically before competition begins.

In-season

The phase where competition or competitive events begin.

Off-season

The period of time following the competitive season, often used as a time of rest and recovery.

Recovery

Returning an athlete back to a state of exercise readiness.

Overtraining

A prolonged state of severe fatigue that occurs when training volume or load exceeds recovery time. As a result, athletes will see a decline in performance.

Active recovery

Maintaining movement or light physical activity at a low intensity after an event.

Massage

The practice of kneading or manipulating a person's muscles and other soft tissues.

Contrast hydrotherapy

Involves alternating periods of hot baths/showers & cold baths/showers.

Cold water immersion

A form of cryotherapy, where the body is submerged into water that is less than 15 degrees Celsius.