Physical Education and Sports Science Terms

Flashcards covering essential terms from Physical Education and Sports Science topics.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.

Appendicular Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of the upper and lower extremities, pelvic bone except the sacrum, and shoulder girdle.

Four Types of Bone

Long, short, flat, and irregular.

Connective Tissue

A tissue that connects, supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs.

Joint

The location where two bones meet.

Fibrous Joint

Type of joint that cannot move, interlinked with dense connective tissue.

Cartilaginous Joint

A partially movable joint made of cartilage, allowing limited movement.

Synovial Joint

A fully movable joint with a synovial cavity, allowing for various movements.

Types of Synovial Joints

Ball and socket, hinge, pivot, gliding, condyloid, and saddle.

Muscular System

The organ system that allows humans and animals to move using the muscular contraction.

Contractility

The ability of the muscle to shorten.

Extensibility

The ability of a muscle to lengthen.

Elasticity

The ability of a muscle to return to its original size after being stretched.

Atrophy

The wasting away of muscle tissue.

Hypertrophy

The increase in size of muscle tissue.

Epimysium

The connective tissue capsule that surrounds a muscle.

Myofibril

Cylindrical structures within muscle cells that contain myofilaments.

Myosin

Thick filaments comprising the muscle fiber.

Actin

Thin filaments comprising the muscle fiber.

Sarcomere

The unit of contraction in a muscle fiber.

Origin of Muscles

The fixed attachment point of a muscle; remains stationary during contraction.

Insertion of Muscles

The movable attachment point of a muscle; moves during contraction.

External Intercostal Muscles

Muscles that assist in inhalation by lifting the ribs upward and outward.

Diaphragm

The major muscle involved in inhalation; contracts to enlarge the thoracic cavity.

Pulmonary Ventilation

The movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Tidal Volume

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

Vital Capacity

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after maximal inhalation.

Total Lung Capacity

The total volume of air in the lungs after a maximal inhalation.

Residual Volume

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal exhalation.

Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2 Max)

The maximum amount of oxygen the body can utilize during intense exercise.

Cardiac Output (Q)

The amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle per beat.

Venous Return

The amount of blood returning to the heart.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the arteries during heartbeats.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the arteries during relaxation of the heart.

Endurance Exercise

Physical activity performed for an extended period, focusing on cardiovascular fitness.

Resistance Training

A form of exercise that improves muscular strength and endurance.

Hydration

The maintenance of adequate amount of water in the body.

Fatigue

A reversible, exercise-induced decline in performance.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

A complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Injuries affecting muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments.

Acute Injuries

Injuries that occur suddenly, often due to a specific event.

Chronic Injuries

Injuries that develop gradually over time, often due to repetitive stress.

Atherogenesis

The process of forming plaques in the arteries.

Insulin Resistance

A condition where cells in the body become less responsive to insulin.

Hypokinetic Diseases

Diseases resulting from a lack of physical activity.

Optimal Bone Health

Maintaining strong, healthy bones through diet and exercise.

Osteoporosis

A condition where bones become weak and brittle.

Peak Bone Mass

The maximum bone density achieved in a person’s life.

Psychological Well-being

A state of mental health characterized by positive mood and life satisfaction.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body.

Aerobic Capacity

The body's ability to use oxygen during prolonged physical activity.

Friction

A force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.

Drag

The resistance of air or water against the forward movement of an object.

Coefficient of Friction

A ratio that quantifies the friction between two bodies.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events that occurs during one heartbeat.

Synaptic Transmission

The process of transferring a signal across a synapse.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses.

Chemical Signals

Molecules released by cells to communicate with other cells.

Leptin

A hormone produced by adipose tissue that helps regulate energy balance.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates appetite, produced in the stomach.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels to decrease blood flow.

Coronary Circulation

The flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart.

Homeostasis

The ability to maintain a stable internal environment in the body.

Adrenaline

A hormone that increases heart rate and energy availability during stress.

Resistance Training

A form of exercise designed to improve strength and endurance.

Health-related Fitness

Components of fitness that improve health; include cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition.

Skill-related Fitness

Components of fitness that improve athletic performance; include agility, balance, coordination, speed, and power.

Sedentary Lifestyle

A type of lifestyle with little or no physical activity.

Hydration Status

The balance of water in the body; important for bodily functions.

Physical Activity Guidelines

Recommended levels of physical activity for health benefits.

Leisure-time Physical Activity

Physical activity done for enjoyment and recreation.

EPOC

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption; the rate of oxygen consumption following exercise.

Muscle Fatigue

A decline in the ability of a muscle to generate force.

Recovery Time

The time needed for muscles to recuperate after exercise.

Overtraining Syndrome

A condition where excessive training leads to decreased performance and physical fitness.

Exercise Adherence

The ability and commitment to maintain participation in an exercise program.

Cognitive Learning

Learning that involves mental processes and understanding.

Feedback Loops

A process in which the outputs of a system are circled back and used as inputs.

Optimal Recovery Strategies

Methods used to enhance recovery and improve performance.

Exercise Prescription

A planned and systematic approach to exercise training.

Movement Competency

The ability to perform basic physical activities effectively and safely.

Biomechanical Analysis

The study of movements to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

Athletic Performance Measurement

Tools and methods used to evaluate and improve an athlete's performance.

Nutritional Strategies

Dietary practices designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery.

Gait Analysis

Assessing the biomechanics of walking or running.

Skill Transfer

Applying skills learned in one context to another activity or sport.

Activity Monitoring

Tracking the amount and intensity of physical activity.