KSS 452 Key Terms: Chapter 4 – Exercise for Youth

Maximal oxygen uptake

The maximum amount of oxygen the body can take in and use.

Epiphyseal plate

A cartilage layer also known as the growth plate, found in the ends of long bones like the femur and humerus.

Neuron

A nerve cell that propagates impulses.

Central nervous system

The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord; responsible for maintaining homeostasis by coordinating the activities of the entire nervous system.

Myelin sheath

A lipid-rich covering found on the axons of many neurons that increases the speed of impulse propagation along the axon.

Minute volume

The amount of gas moved per minute; the product of tidal volume and respiratory frequency.

Avascular

Lacking blood vessels.

Adipose

A type of connective tissue that stores excess fat.

Blood lipid profile

Includes a value for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Adipocytes

Fat cells that cluster to form adipose tissue.

Hypertrophy

An increase in cross-sectional area of a cell that results in an increase in overall size.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells.

Comorbidity

The presence of two or more related medical conditions.

Primary (essential) high blood pressure

The most common form of hypertension with no known medical cause explaining its presence.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral spinal curvature that results in the spine having an "S" shape (from an anterior or posterior view).

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A genetic disorder characterized by a thickened left ventricular wall, the number one cause of death in elite, young athletes.

Metabolic syndrome

Also known as insulin resistance syndrome or syndrome X, increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Dyslipidemia

A disorder of blood lipids that includes elevated blood cholesterol levels, high LDL levels, low HDL levels, and increased triglycerides.

Infants

The age group between birth and 12 months old.

Toddlers

The age group between years 1 and 2.

Children

The age group between years 3 and 11.

Adolescents

The age group between years 11 and 21.

Preschoolers

The age group between years 3 and 5.