Glossary

abduction—Movement away from the midline of the body, for example, lifting the arm out to the side.

adduction—Movement toward, or across, the midline of the body, such as bringing one leg toward the other leg.

aerobic—Requiring oxygen; usually refers to exercise that needs oxygen at the cellular level to produce energy.

anaerobic—Oxygen not required; usually refers to the ability of the muscle cells to produce energy without oxygen.

articular cartilage—A special type of tissue that covers the ends of bones and allows smooth movement between the bones in a joint. It also absorbs force during movement.

biceps—Muscle on the front of the upper arm; it bends the elbow and helps flex the shoulder.

biomechanics—The application of mechanical principles to the study of human movement.

cardiovascular endurance—The ability of the heart to deliver oxygen to the working muscles, and the muscles ability to use that oxygen.

circuit training—Performance of exercises in an alternating sequence; used mostly with resistance exercises, though aerobic exercises can be put within the sequence.

closed chain—Movement of a limb during which the hand or foot is kept in contact with either the ground or a device that has a prescribed motion, such as a bicycle pedal. Because of the fixed extremity, the movements of each joint within that limb are predictable.

concentric—A muscle contraction during which the joint angle becomes smaller and the muscle appears to shorten.

deltoid—Muscle that goes from the top of the arm to the trunk. There are three parts to this muscle, which is involved in raising the arm and in extending and flexing the shoulder.

eccentric—A muscle contraction during which the joint angle becomes greater and the muscle appears to lengthen.

extension—Movement which straightens a joint, for example, the knee when coming from sit to stand. Extension for the shoulder and hip refer to motion which moves the limb behind the body, such as reaching backward.

fartlek training—A Swedish term meaning “speed play” ; the aerobic training session is continuous with varied speeds throughout.

flare-up—A temporary increase in stiffness and joint pain associated with arthritis; may include swelling as well.

flexibility—Refers to the ability of a joint (or joints) to move throughout its complete range, which is dictated by the muscles that cross that joint.

flexion—Movement which bends a joint, such as the elbow when the arm is bent.

functional fitness—The ability to perform normal daily activities around the house or at work, without undue fatigue.

hamstrings—Group of three muscles on the back of the thigh. These muscles bend the knee and help to extend the hip.

hyperthermia—High body temperature; life-threatening if uncontrolled.

hypothermia—Low body temperature; life-threatening if uncontrolled.

impact—The amount of force transmitted through the body upon landing.

inflammation—Swelling that occurs within joints, muscles, or spaces within tissues.

interval training—A form of training that uses alternating periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise, and exercise. For example, running a mile, then walking or resting for a predetermined period, then running another mile, and so on.

isometric—A muscle contraction during which no joint movement occurs, for example, when an individual pushes against a wall.

isotonic—A muscle contraction that involves movement of the joint and apparent shortening or lengthening of the muscle.

latissimus dorsi—Large muscle on the back which attaches to the upper arm and is used to pull the arm to the side.

metabolism—The breakdown of food sources to produce energy at the cellular level.

neuromuscular—Refers to the control of muscular activity by the nervous system.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—Drugs that are not steroids used to control or decrease swelling. Common examples include over-the counter drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and prescription drugs such as naproxen and Voltaren.

open chain—Movement during which the hand or foot can move in any direction desired, thus the movement of the joints within that limb are not predictable. An example would be movement of the leg when it is off of the ground.

orthotics—Devices that help control movement at a joint, thus helping to maintain proper mechanical alignment and protect the joint.

oxygen consumption—The use of oxygen by the body; often refers to a measurement of the oxygen requirements.

pectoralis major—Muscle at the upper front chest that extends from the breastbone to the upper arm; it is responsible for pulling the arm across the body.

physiological—Relating to the normal underlying physical and chemical processes within an organism, in this case, humans.

proprioception—The ability to perceive a joint position internally, using sensors within the joints, muscles, and ligaments that surround joints. This information is relayed to the brain, which then modifies muscle activity to accommodate to the joint input.

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)—Activities that utilize normal reflexes and neural pathways to stimulate additional muscular responses.

quadriceps—Group of four muscles on the front of the thigh. These muscles straighten the knee and also help to flex the hip.

range of motion—The movement available at a joint; often described as active or passive. Full range of motion is the total possible motion in any one plane of movement.

rating of perceived exertion (RPE)—A method of rating the difficulty of an activity, using the individual s perception of the difficulty of the exercise.

rehabilitation—Treatment to restore to normal activities an individual who has been injured or ill.

repetition maximum (RM)—The heaviest weight that can be lifted in a trial. The most common are 1-, 6-, and 10-repetition trials.

rhomboids—These muscles extend from the shoulder blade to the spine and help to pull the shoulder blades toward the center of the body.

splints—Also known as orthotics, these devices help to stabilize or control motion at a joint.

stabilization exercises—Exercises that emphasize isometric-type contractions of the muscles that support the spine.

stiffness—Resistance to fluid motion of a muscle, usually uncomfortable.

synovial fluid—A special fluid that is secreted within most joints. It acts like oil, decreasing friction within the joint during movement.

target heart rate (THR)—Desired exercise heart rate that induces a training response throughout the body.

trapezius—This muscle at the top and back of the shoulder and neck has three parts that help to raise and lower the shoulder blade, as well as pull it toward the spine.

triceps—Muscle on the back of the upper arm; it straightens the elbow and helps extend the shoulder.

Valsalva maneuver—Exhalation against a closed glottis; in other words, holding the breath when the natural instinct would be to let the breath out.