Chapter 08 Glossary

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Glossary

Chapter 8

Anabolic steroids Synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone, which promotes muscle development and hypertrophy.

Atrophy Decrease in the size of a cell.

Concentric Shortening of a muscle during muscle contraction.

Dynamic training Strength-training method referring to a muscle contraction with movement.

Fast-twitch fibers Muscle fibers with greater anaerobic potential and fast speed of contraction.

Fixed resistance Type of exercise in which a constant resistance is moved through a joint’s full range of motion.

Free weights Barbells and dumbbells.

Hypertrophy An increase in the size of the cell (for example, muscle hypertrophy).

Isokinetic training Strength-training method in which the speed of the muscle contraction is kept constant because the equipment (machine) provides an accommodating resistance to match the user’s force (maximal) through the range of motion.

Isometric training Strength-training method referring to a muscle contraction that produces little or no movement, such as pushing or pulling against an immovable object.

Metabolism All energy and material transformations that occur within living cells; necessary to sustain life.

Motor neurons Nerves connecting the central nervous system to the muscle.

Motor unit The combination of a motor neuron and the muscle fibers that neuron innervates.

Muscular endurance The ability of a muscle to exert submaximal force repeatedly over time.

Muscular strength The ability of a muscle to exert maximum force against resistance (for example, 1 repetition maximum [or 1 RM] of the bench press exercise).

Negative resistance The lowering or eccentric phase of a repetition during the performance of a strength training exercise.

One repetition maximum (1 RM) The maximum amount of resistance an individual is able to lift in a single effort.

Overload principle Training concept that the demands placed on a system (cardiorespiratory or muscular) must be increased systematically and progressively over time to cause physiological adaptation (development or improvement).

Plastic elongation Permanent lengthening of soft tissue.

Plyometric exercise Explosive jump training, incorporating speed and strength training to enhance explosiveness.

Positive resistance The lifting, pushing, or concentric phase of a repetition during the performance of a strength-training exercise.

Progressive resistance training A gradual increase of resistance over a period of time.

Range of motion Entire arc of movement of a given joint.

Resistance Amount of weight that is lifted.

Set A fixed number of repetitions. One set of bench presses might be 10 repetitions.

Slow-twitch fibers Muscle fibers with greater aerobic potential and slow speed of contraction.

Specificity of training Principle that training must be done with the specific muscle the person is attempting to improve.

Variable resistance Training using special machines equipped with mechanical devices that provide differing amounts of resistance through the range of motion.

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Last changed: September 03, 2004

Anabolic steroids	Synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone, which promotes muscle development and hypertrophy.
Atrophy	Decrease in the size of a cell.
Concentric	Shortening of a muscle during muscle contraction.
Dynamic training	Strength-training method referring to a muscle contraction with movement.
Fast-twitch fibers	Muscle fibers with greater anaerobic potential and fast speed of contraction.
Fixed resistance	Type of exercise in which a constant resistance is moved through a joint’s full range of motion.
Free weights	Barbells and dumbbells.
Hypertrophy	An increase in the size of the cell (for example, muscle hypertrophy).
Isokinetic training	Strength-training method in which the speed of the muscle contraction is kept constant because the equipment (machine) provides an accommodating resistance to match the user’s force (maximal) through the range of motion.
Isometric training	Strength-training method referring to a muscle contraction that produces little or no movement, such as pushing or pulling against an immovable object.
Metabolism	All energy and material transformations that occur within living cells; necessary to sustain life.
Motor neurons	Nerves connecting the central nervous system to the muscle.
Motor unit	The combination of a motor neuron and the muscle fibers that neuron innervates.
Muscular endurance	The ability of a muscle to exert submaximal force repeatedly over time.
Muscular strength	The ability of a muscle to exert maximum force against resistance (for example, 1 repetition maximum [or 1 RM] of the bench press exercise).
Negative resistance	The lowering or eccentric phase of a repetition during the performance of a strength training exercise.
One repetition maximum (1 RM)	The maximum amount of resistance an individual is able to lift in a single effort.
Overload principle	Training concept that the demands placed on a system (cardiorespiratory or muscular) must be increased systematically and progressively over time to cause physiological adaptation (development or improvement).
Plastic elongation	Permanent lengthening of soft tissue.
Plyometric exercise	Explosive jump training, incorporating speed and strength training to enhance explosiveness.
Positive resistance	The lifting, pushing, or concentric phase of a repetition during the performance of a strength-training exercise.
Progressive resistance training	A gradual increase of resistance over a period of time.
Range of motion	Entire arc of movement of a given joint.
Resistance	Amount of weight that is lifted.
Set	A fixed number of repetitions. One set of bench presses might be 10 repetitions.
Slow-twitch fibers	Muscle fibers with greater aerobic potential and slow speed of contraction.
Specificity of training	Principle that training must be done with the specific muscle the person is attempting to improve.
Variable resistance	Training using special machines equipped with mechanical devices that provide differing amounts of resistance through the range of motion.