Exercise Physiology Lab Exam

Muscular Strength: The maximal force that a muscle or muscle group can generate
Concentric Contractions: The period during which the muscle shortens
Isometric Contractions: The period during which the muscle is at constant length
Relative Strength: A measure of an individual's strength compared to their body weight
Muscular Endurance: The capacity to perform repeated muscle contractions, or to sustain a contraction over time
Eccentric Contractions: The period during which the muscle is stretched
Absolute Strength: The maximum amount of force a person can exert in a single effort

Metabolism: The body’s way of converting food into energy.
Calorie: The amount of heat energy required to raise 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius.
Kilogram: The SI unit for mass.
Liter: The metric unit for volume.
VO2: The volume of oxygen taken in and used by the body per minute.
mL/kg/min: The measurement for VO2.
MET: A unit used to estimate how much energy or oxygen your body uses during physical activity compared to resting

Glucose: A simple carbohydrate that serves as the primary source of energy for the body during physical activity.
Glucometer: A portable medical device used to measure the concentration of glucose in
the blood.
Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by allowing glucose to enter the body’s cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use.
Diabetes Mellitus: A chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose
levels (hyperglycemia) due to the body’s inability to produce enough insulin or effectively use the insulin it produces.
Hypoglycemia: A condition where blood glucose levels fall below normal, typically
below 70 mg/dL, leading to symptoms that can impair physical and cognitive function.
Hyperglycemia: A condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, typically above 130 mg/dL fasting or above 180 mg/dL after meals.

Diastolic Blood Pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats and refills with blood
Hypertension: A medical condition characterized by persistently high blood pressure, which can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke
Systolic Blood Pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood into the body
Parasympathetic Nervous System: A division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for ‘rest and digest’ functions, slowing heart rate, increasing digestive activity, and conserving energy
Mean Arterial Pressure: The average arterial pressure during a single cardiac cycle, often considered a better indicator of perfusion to vital organs than systolic or diastolic pressure alone (MAP)
Sympathetic Nervous System: A division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for ‘fight or flight’ responses, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and diverting blood to muscles in times of stress or danger

Inspiration: The drawing in or inhalation of a breath
Residual Volume: The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a maximal forceful exhalation
Expiration: The exhalation of a breath
Vital Capacity: The maximum volume of air that a person can forcefully exhale after taking the deepest possible breath
Tidal Volume: The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a normal breath
Spirometry: Non-invasive method used to assess lung function by measuring volume and flow of air during breathing

Anaerobic Power: The maximum rate at which energy can be produced by the body’s anaerobic energy systems
Fatigue: A decline in the ability of a muscle to generate force or power due to physical or mental factors after prolonged or intense activity
Cycle Ergometer: A stationary exercise device used to measure and control the amount of work or power output performed during cycling
Oxygen Deficit: The difference between the oxygen required for a given exercise intensity and the actual oxygen uptake at the start of exercise
EPOC: Elevated rate of oxygen uptake following exercise that helps the body restore itself to resting metabolic conditions
Phosphagen System: Anaerobic energy system that uses stored ATP and PCr in the muscles to rapidly regenerate ATP during short, high-intensity activity

Heart Rate: The number of heartbeats per minute
Rating of Perceived Exertion: A subjective scale that measures how hard exercise feels to an individual, based on physical sensations such as breathing rate, muscle fatigue, and effort
Blood Pressure: The force that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries
Rate Pressure Product: A measure of the myocardial workload and oxygen demand
Mean Arteriole Pressure: The average pressure in the arteries across a full cardiac cycle
Incremental Exercise Test: A graded fitness test in which exercise intensity increases in steps or continuously over time until the participant reaches voluntary exhaustion or a predetermined endpoint