Physical Education Glossary Flashcards

Flashcards covering vocabulary terms from the Physical Education Glossary.

Aerobic activity

Any sustained exercise that stimulates and strengthens the heart and lungs, thereby improving the body’s use of oxygen.

Aerobic capacity

The maximum rate at which the body or an individual muscle can take up and use oxygen from the air; also known as maximal oxygen consumption (uptake) or VO2max.

Agility

The ability to change body position quickly and to control one’s physical movements.

Anaerobic activity

Any short-duration exercise that is powered primarily by metabolic pathways that do not use oxygen.

Artistic gymnastics

A discipline in which gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, which may include the balance beam, vault, bars, and floor.

Balance

The ability to keep an upright posture while stationary or moving.

Balance and control skills

The ability to control the movement of the body while stationary or moving.

Base of support

An area defined by the parts of the body and any assistive devices, such as canes or crutches, that are in contact with the support surface.

Biomechanical principles

Principles related to the study of physical forces. An understanding of biomechanical principles can help one move efficiently and avoid injury.

Body composition

All of the tissues that together make up the body: bone, muscle, skin, fat, and body organs.

Cardiovascular system

The heart, blood vessels, and blood, which provide oxygen and nutrients to the body.

Digestive system

The organs and glands that are responsible for ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food.

Endocrine system

The glands that produce hormones that regulate various body systems, including but not limited to metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, reproduction, sleep, and mood.

Immune system

The system that protects against infections and other foreign substances, cells, and tissues.

Muscular system

The skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles that support movement and help maintain posture and circulate blood, among other functions.

Nervous system

A complex communication system that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

Respiratory system

The airways and passages that bring air, including oxygen, from outside the body into the lungs.

Skeletal system

The framework of the body, consisting of bones and connective tissues that protect and support the body tissues and internal organs.

Borg rating

The measurement of intensity of physical activity based on exertion.

Cardiorespiratory endurance

The efficiency of the body’s heart, lungs, and blood vessels to send fuel and oxygen to the body’s tissues, most often during extended periods of moderate- to-vigorous activity.

Competency

One’s ability, skill, and knowledge to perform a task.

Complex motor activities

Activities that involve more than one skill.

Complex motor skills

Skills that are made up of two or more skills. Examples include hopping and skipping, throwing and catching.

Complex movement sequences

Movements that require a combination of motor skills.

Components of health-related fitness

Aspects of physical fitness that help one stay healthy, including body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength.

Components of skill-related fitness

Aspects of physical fitness that help one perform well in sports and other activities that require certain physical skills, including agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.

Coordination

The ability to use one’s senses together with one’s body parts, or to use two or more body parts together.

Diminishing return

In physical activity, the point at which one’s body is taking on more harm than benefit.

Dynamic balance

Balance while moving, also known as the ability to balance under changing conditions of body movement.

Educational gymnastics

A discipline that emphasizes body management and problem-solving skills through movements such as stunts, balances, and poses.

FITT principle

A mnemonic formula of factors important to determining the correct amount of physical activity: Frequency, Intensity, TIme, and Type

Flexibility

The ability to move the joints through the full range of motion.

Force

The effort or tension generated in movement.

General space

All the area outside of someone’s personal space, for instance in a classroom, field, or gym.

Intrinsic motivation

A desire to seek out new things and new challenges that is driven by one’s interest or enjoyment in the task itself and does not rely on external pressures or a desire for reward.

Isokinetic

Of or relating to muscular action with a constant rate of movement.

Isometric exercise

An action in which a muscle generates tension without changing length.

Leading pass

A throw in which a manipulative is thrown ahead of the intended receiver so that the receiver can catch the manipulative while in motion.

Locomotor

Movement that moves the body from one place to another

Manipulative skills

Skills for controlling or manipulating objects. Examples include kicking, striking, punting, rolling, tossing, throwing, catching, and dribbling.

Muscular endurance

The ability of the muscles to perform physical tasks over a period of time without becoming fatigued.

Muscular strength

The amount of force a muscle can exert.

Nonlocomotor

Movement in which a body does not move from one place to another.

Overload

Idea that to improve physical fitness, one needs to do more physical activity than one normally does.

Pathways

The path a movement takes through space. For example, zigzag, curved, or straight.

Personal space

The area immediately surrounding a person.

Physical activity

Bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.

Power

The ability to use strength quickly.

Progression

Idea that the amount and intensity of physical activity needs to be increased gradually.

Reaction time

The ability to react or respond quickly to what one hears, sees, or feels.

Reversibility

The idea that fitness benefits are lost when training stops.

Speed

The ability to perform a movement or cover a distance in a short period of time.

Static balance

Balance while stationary. Or, the ability to retain one’s center of mass above one’s base of support in a stationary position.

Specificity

Idea that specific types of exercise improve specific muscles or specific types of fitness.

Target Heart Rate

Range of heart rate desired during aerobic exercise to enable one’s heart and lungs to receive the most benefit from the workout.