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Fitness Glossary
 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Absolute Strength-
The absolute maximum force that an individual's muscle can exert and produce in one single voluntary effort, regardless of the rate of force production.

Abduction-
Movement from the centerline of the body outwards or away from the midline of the body.  Hip Abduction is a good example of this motion. 

Abdomen-
The region between the diaphragm and the pelvis most commonly referred to as abs.  Comes from the latin word abdomini. 

Acupuncture-
An alternative medicine practice, predominantly in Chinese medicine, of attempting to cure illness or relieve pain by puncturing specific areas of the skin called meridians with needles.

Acute-
Of rapid onset, short in course or duration, brief or severe; the initial stage of an injury or illness

Adaptation-
To adjust to new conditions.  Often used to describe when the body has become accustomed to the current level of resistance and will therefore require increased effort to progress. 

Adduction-
The opposite of abduction. Movement from the outward part of the body toward the centerline or midline of the body.

Adhesion-
The abnormal union of body tissues that are normally separate (similar to scar tissue).

Adipose Tissue-
Adipose tissue or fat is loose connective tissue in the body.  Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body. Obesity or being overweight in humans and most animals does not depend on body weight but on the amount of body fat�specifically, adipose tissue.


Aerobic Exercise-
refers to exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body.  Often referred to as "Cardio" which means to work your cardiovascular system.  Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process.


Afferent Neuron-
Sensory neuron carrying information toward the central nervous system.

Agility-
Ability to start, stop, and move the body quickly in different directions.  Referred to often in functional or sports specific training. 

Agonist-
A muscle responsible for producing a specific movement through concentric muscle action.

Amino Acids-
The building blocks of protein.  A class of organic compounds that are building blocks from which protein is constructed.  Key in muscle development as well as for vegetarians to monitor as they are also derived in plants and when combined with certain grains, can form a whole protein allowing a vegetarian to get adequate amounts of this deprived nutrient. 

Anaerobic Exercise-
Commonly referred to in weight lifting.  Exercise intense enough to trigger anaerobic metabolism. It is used by athletes in non-endurance sports to build power and by body builders to build muscle mass. Muscles trained under anaerobic conditions develop differently, leading to greater performance in short duration, high intensity activities.


Anatomical Position-
Standing erect, with feet and palms facing forward such as an anatomical chart.

Anorexia Athletica-
The abuse and use of excessive exercise (primarily aerobic) to lose weight, normally associated with anorexia nervosa, depression and a distorted self image.

Anorexia Nervosa-
An eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image in which a person does not take in a sufficient amount of calories, eventually causing harm to the body, and sometimes death.

Antagonist-
A muscle responsible for opposing the concentric muscle action of the agonist.

Anterior Tilt-
Also referred to as a forward tipped Pelvis is a Pelvic tilt in which the vertical plane through the anterior-superior spines is anterior to the vertical plane through the symphysis pubis.

Anterior-
Anatomical term referring to the front of the body; toward the front.
 

Appendage-
A structure attached to the body such as the upper and lower extremities.

Arthritis-
A group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body.  A degenerative joint disease caused by trauma to a joint or inflammation.

Articulation-
A joint or connection of bones.

ASIS-
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine.

Asymmetrical-
Imbalance of the arrangement of parts. Not moving together.

Atrophy-
Wasting away of any muscle, part, organ, tissue or cell.  Most often referred to when people lose muscle mass. 

Autogenic Inhibition-
Inhibition of the muscle spindle resulting from the Golgi tendon organ stimulation.

Avascular-
Without blood supply.

Avulsion-
Forceful tearing away of any part of a structure.