PDHPE Glossary of Terms
(Reference: Jacaranda Textbook):
ability is the ease with which an individual is able to perform a movement or routine.
acquisition is gaining possession of something.
adaptation refers to a change in form or structure to suit new conditions or a new environment.
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a high energy compound that stores and transfers energy to body cells, allowing them to perform their specialised functions, such as muscle contraction.
advocacy is the act of championing or arguing for a particular issue or cause.
advocating a combination of individual and social actions designed to speak up for specific groups, gain political commitment, policy support, social acceptance and systems support for a particular health goal or program.
aerobic interval training involves alternating sessions of work and recovery. The rest period is important in differentiating aerobic interval training from anaerobic interval training.
aerobic metabolism is the breakdown of fuel in the presence of oxygen to produce energy (ATP).
aerobic threshold refers to a level of exercise intensity that is sufficient to cause a training effect. This is approximately 70 per cent of a person’s maximal heart rate (MHR).
aerobic training zone refers to a level of intensity that causes the heart rate to be high enough to cause significant training gains.
agility is the ability to move the body from one position and direction to another with speed and precision.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive mental illness that results in communication blockage between nerve cells, disrupting brain function and corroding memory.
anaemia is a condition in which there is an abnormally low level of haemoglobin, resulting in less oxygen being available to tissues.
anaerobic means that the reaction occurs in the absence of oxygen.
anaerobic glycolysis is a process where glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen to produce energy.
anaerobic system functions to enable energy production during the absence of oxygen.
anaerobic threshold refers to a level of intensity in physical activity where the accumulation of lactic acid in the blood increases very quickly.
aneurysm is the ballooning of the arterial wall due to thinning and weakening. It often results from constant high blood pressure and can lead to a stroke.
angina pectoris refers to chest pain that occurs when the heart has an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood.
anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder accompanied by a progressive loss of appetite and consequent weight reduction beyond acceptable health levels (15 per cent less than normal for age and height). It is accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight.
anxiety is predominantly a psychological process characterised by fear or apprehension in anticipation of confronting a situation perceived to be potentially threatening.
appraisal is a judgement about the quality of something or somebody.
arousal is a specific level of anxiety and can be experienced prior to and during a performance.
arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries whereby artery walls lose their elasticity.
associative means connecting or linking ideas.
asthma is a condition characterised by breathing difficulty where there is a reduction in the width of the airways leading to the lungs, resulting in less air being available to them.
atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty and/or fibrous material on the interior walls of arteries.
atrophy refers to wasting away or decrease in size.
autonomous means being in full control of actions so they become automatic.
ballistic stretching involves repeated movements such as punching and bouncing to gain extra stretch. It should be practised only by elite athletes, and with care.
basal cell carcinoma is a surface skin cancer that originates from the basal cells that underlie the surface cells. It is the most common type of skin cancer.
breast self-examination is a preventative action that involves palpating the breast with flat fingers to detect changes or abnormalities in the breast tissue.
bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder where large quantities of food are ingested at one time (bingeing) and then purged from the body by self-induced vomiting.
bulk billing is a payment option in the Medicare system. The service provider (doctor) bills Medicare directly for the consultation fee, thereby accepting the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service, and the patient pays no fee to the doctor.
cancer refers to a large group of diseases that are characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
capillaries are tiny blood vessels that connect the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.
carbohydrate loading is the technique of loading the muscles with glycogen in preparation for a high-intensity endurance activity of more than 90 minutes.
carcinogens are cancer-causing agents such as chemicals, pollutants, radiation, cigarette smoke and alcohol.
cardiac output the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.
cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to damage to, or disease of, the heart, arteries, veins and/or smaller blood vessels.
carer is a person who, through family relationship or friendship, looks after an older person or someone with a disability or chronic illness.
chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer using chemical agents or drugs that are selectively toxic to malignant cells.
cholesterol is a fatty substance contained in all animal cells.
chronic disease is a disease that is ongoing or characterised by long suffering.
circuit training requires participants to move from one ‘station’ to another, performing specified exercises at each until they complete the circuit.
closed skills occur in an environment that is stable and predictable.
cognitive refers to mental processing of information, thinking and understanding.
concentration is the ability to link movement and awareness to the extent that the individual can focus on doing, rather than on thinking about doing.
concentric contractions occur when a muscle shortens, causing movement at a joint.
concurrent feedback is received during the performance of a skill.
continuous skills have no distinct beginning or end.
contusion is caused by a sudden blow to the body; a bruise.
cool-down is the period of time following physical activity where the body temperature, circulation and respiratory rates are returned to their pre-exercise state (or as close to this state as possible).
coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.
coronary occlusion is a heart attack (or myocardial infarction) caused by the sudden and complete blockage of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, leaving the heart muscle damaged.
coronary thrombosis is the formation of an obstructing clot within a coronary artery that is narrowed by atherosclerosis, possibly leading to a heart attack.
creatine phosphate (CP) is an energy-rich compound that serves as an alternative energy source for muscular contraction.
cryotherapy involves the use of cooling to treat injury or quicken recovery from performances, particularly those that involve collisions and/or sustained intensity.
dehydration is an excessive loss of water.
delayed feedback is received after the skill has been executed.
dementia is a condition characterised by a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity.
diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.
direct costs relate to expenditure for construction of venues, wages for workers, technology etc.
direct injuries are caused by an external force applied to the body, such as a collision with a person or object.
disability is defined in terms of the lack of ability to perform everyday functions or activities. It refers to limitations in functional abilities.
discrete skills have a distinctive beginning and end that can be identified.
discrimination the unfair treatment of a person or group based on factors such as their sex, race, cultural origins, age and disability.
dislocation is the displacement of a bone at a joint.
distributed practice (or spaced practice) involves a broken practice session, with the intervals of rest or alternative activities being longer than the practice intervals.
diuretic is a drug that increases the amount of fluid (water and urine) passing from the body.
diversity comprises the differences among individuals and among groups of people.
dynamic flexibility is the ability to perform extensive muscular movements causing joints to go through a full range of motion.
dynamic stretching uses speed and momentum with movements experienced in a game to increase flexibility.
eccentric contractions occur when the muscle lengthens while under tension. The action often happens with the assistance of gravity.
elective procedures are those operations that are not classified as emergencies.
electrolytes are salts and minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, that are important for many body functions such as chemical breakdown and nerve conduction. Electrolytes can be lost through perspiration during exercise.
empowering is giving people the support needed to achieve a goal.
empowerment refers to an individual’s ability to make decisions about, or have personal control over, their life.
enabling forming partnerships with individuals or groups to empower them, through mobilising human and material resources, and using knowledge and skills in order to promote and protect their health.
environmental determinants factors in a person’s environment that influence their health status, such as geographical location, and access to health services and technology.
epidemiology is the study of disease in groups or populations through the collection of data and information, to identify patterns and causes.
epilepsy is a disruption to brain function, causing a brief alteration to the level of consciousness and resulting in seizures or fits.
equity is the allocation of resources according to the needs of individuals and populations. The goal is to achieve equality of outcomes.
ergogenic aid is a substance or practice that improves or is believed to improve physical performance.
erythropoietin (EPO) is a natural hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
explosive strength is the ability to extend the ‘turned on’ period of explosiveness.
external feedback is all feedback other than that which occurs as a normal consequence of performing a skill. It includes various forms of external information, such as suggestions from the coach, video replays, judges’ scores and race results.
externally paced skills are movements for which an external source controls the timing.
extrinsic or external motivation occurs when the individual’s internal state is modified by sources originating from outside the person.
Fartlek (‘speed play’) training participants vary their speed and the terrain on which they are working, ultimately engaging both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.
fast-twitch muscle fibres (or type II fibres) reach peak tension quickly and are recruited for power and explosive movements such as throwing and lifting.
feedback is the information provided to the learner about the nature or result of their performance.
fine motor skills require the use of only small muscle groups to perform the movement.
flexibility is the range through which joints and body parts are able to move.
fracture is a break in a bone.
glycogen is the storage form of glucose and is used for fuel when blood glucose levels decline.
glycolysis is the process of using glycogen or glucose as fuel.
gross motor skills require the use of large muscle groups for execution.
haemoglobin is the substance in blood that binds to oxygen and transports it around the body.
hard tissue injuries cause damage to bones and teeth.
health-care expenditure is the allocation of funding and other economic resources for the provision and consumption of health services.
health policy a set of formal government statements that define priorities and plans in response to health needs, available resources and other political pressures.
health priority issues are those health issues that are of greatest concern to governments and support organisations due to the effect they have on the overall health of Australians and the burden of health on the economy.
health promotion is a combination of science, medicine, practical skills and beliefs aimed at maintaining and improving the health of all people.
health status is the pattern of health of the population in general over a period of time.
heredity refers to genetic characteristics inherited from our parents.
high intensity interval training (HIIT) involves repeated bouts of high intensity exercise followed by varying periods of complete rest of recovery at lower intensity.
holistic means focusing on the whole patient. Treatments involve the balance and interrelationship between a patient’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
human growth hormone is a naturally occurring substance that increases the rate at which amino acids are transported to skeletal muscle cells.
hydration involves supplying sufficient water to the body’s cells.
hyperthermia is excessively high body temperature that is usually experienced in hot, humid conditions in which evaporation is unable to take place.
hypertrophy is the enlargement of muscle fibres in response to exercise.
hypothermia is a condition characterised by body heat loss that far exceeds body heat gain, resulting in subnormal body temperature.
immobilisation restricts movement in the injured area by using splints and bandages.
impunity is a sense of being immune from the consequences of certain actions, believing that ‘it won’t happen to me’.
incidence is the number of new cases of disease occurring in a defined population over a period of time.
indirect costs secondary expenditures on transport systems, medical treatment, drug testing etc.
indirect injuries are caused by an intrinsic force — that is, a force within the body.
inequities are unfair differences in levels of health status between groups in a society.
infant mortality refers to the number of infant deaths in the first year of life, per 1000 live births.
infrastructure is the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, railways, water supply, sewerage, public transport, schools and power grids.
inpatient the care of patients whose condition requires hospitalisation.
instruments are methods or devices for recording, measuring or controlling.
insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose to enter the body cells and be used for energy.
internal feedback occurs as a normal consequence of performing a skill. It embodies feelings, together with sensory information such as seeing the ball and hearing the sound of a ball hitting the bat.
intrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from within the individual.
inverted U hypothesis a theory that suggests that performance improves with increasing arousal to a point beyond which performance will deteriorate.
isometric training (or static training), muscles develop tension but do not change in length.
isotonic movements are characterised by muscle shortening and lengthening against resistance.
keyhole surgery is surgery performed through a very small incision (usually 0.5–1.5 cm), usually using a laparoscope or endoscope, devices for viewing inside the body.
kilojoules (or calories) measure the energy value of food. A calorie is the equivalent of 4.2 kilojoules.
kinaesthesis (or kinaesthetic sense) refers to the system of sensitivity that exists in the muscles and their attachments.
kinship a blood relationship.
knowledge of performance is information about the pattern of the movement during execution.
knowledge of results is information about the outcome of a movement.
lactate inflection point (LIP) is a point beyond which a given power output cannot be maintained. It is characterised by lactic acid accumulation and decreased time to fatigue.
lactate threshold is the point at which lactic acid accumulates rapidly in the blood.
lactic acid is a by-product of the incomplete breakdown of carbohydrate in the absence of oxygen.
levy is a payment collected by the government from a person’s income.
life expectancy is the length of time a person can expect to live. More specifically, it refers to the average number of years of life remaining to a person at a particular age, based on current death rates.
living conditions people’s everyday environments, including the places where they live, play and work.
lung capacity is the amount of air that the lungs can hold.
macrocycles are long-term planning periods or overviews.
malignant melanoma is a cancer of the body cells that contain pigment (melanin) and mainly affects the skin.
mammographic screening is a process of using a special x-ray of glands, fat and blood vessels under the skin of the breast to identify any variations from the normal or healthy tissue.
manliness a tendency to show particularly male characteristics.
massed practice involves a continuous practice session, with the rest intervals being shorter than the practice intervals.
mechanical energy is motion or movement energy.
mediating working to bring about consensus and reconciling the different interests of individuals, communities and sectors in a way that promotes and protects health.
Medicare is Australia’s public-funded universal health-care system, ensuring all Australians have access to free or low-cost medical, optometric and hospital care.
mental rehearsal is the technique of picturing the performance or skill before executing it.
mentor a wise or trusted adviser.
metabolism is the sum of all chemical processes within cells that transforms substances into energy.
metastases are secondary or new tumours, which may develop some distance from the original malignant tumour.
microcycles are short training cycles containing specific details and usually cover a period of about 7–10 days.
minerals are inorganic substances found in the body that are necessary for it to function adequately.
mole is the gram-molecular weight of a substance. 1 mole (mol) = 1000 millimoles (mmol).
morbidity is the incidence or level of illness, disease or injury in a given population.
mortality refers to the number of deaths in a given population from a particular cause and/or over a period of time.
motivation is an internal state that activates, directs and sustains behaviour towards achieving a particular goal.
multiculturalism is the coexistence of groups in a society representing different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
muscle hypertrophy is a term that refers to muscle growth together with an increase in the size of muscle cells.
Muscular Christianity a concept of a healthy body combined with fine morals including sportsmanship, playing by the rules, and leading an actively Christian life.
myocardial infarction is a heart attack that is usually due to the complete blockage of a coronary artery and results in the death of some heart tissue.
natural increase is the difference between the number of live births and deaths over a year.
negative motivation is characterised by an improvement in performance out of fear of the consequences of not performing to expectations.
negotiation is a process in which two or more parties rationally discuss a problem and, through compromise, come to an agreement that adequately satisfies the needs of all those involved.
neoplasm is an abnormal mass of cells that forces its way among healthy cells and interferes with their normal functioning.
net overseas migration is the difference between total arrivals and total departures.
norms are the standards and behaviours accepted by society. These norms can vary between different cultures.
objectivity is the extent to which a measure or test is independent of the observer.
open skills occur in an environment that is unpredictable and frequently changing.
optometry is a health-care profession that addresses problems with eyes and vision.
organic foods are foods produced without using commercial chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers.
osteoporosis is a type of musculoskeletal condition in which there is deterioration in the bone structure. The bones become thin and weak, leading to an increased risk of bone fracture.
Ottawa Charter a document that represents a global approach to health promotion by the World Health Organization. It aims to enable people to increase control over and improve their health. It outlines prerequisites for health.
overtraining is a chronic psychological and physiological condition caused by training loads that are too demanding for an athlete to manage.
overuse injuries are caused by overuse of specific body regions over long periods of time.
oxygen uptake is the ability of the working muscles to use the oxygen being delivered.
Pap smear a screening test to detect cervical cancer cells by taking a sample of cells from the cervix.
parasuicide is an attempted suicide that is not fatal and is often impulsive.
part practice method is applied when a skill is broken into smaller components and each discrete subskill (subroutine) is practised separately.
party crashing (also known as ‘gatecrashing’) is when unwanted and uninvited individuals or groups attend a social gathering.
patriotism a devotion to one’s country and a willingness to defend it.
PBS Safety Net caps the amount a family will pay for PBS subsidised medications in a calendar year.
peaking is the phase of training in which performance is optimised to meet the demands of a race, competition or series.
periodisation is the process of structuring training into manageable phases.
peripheral vascular disease is the result of reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, usually due to atherosclerosis and/or arteriosclerosis.
personal criteria are the preconceived ideas or expectations that an individual brings to judge a performance.
personality refers to an individual’s characteristic way of behaving.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is a Commonwealth Government program that provides subsidised prescription drugs to Australian residents, ensuring affordable access to a range of essential medicines.
plyometrics refers to a special range of exercises in which a muscle is lengthened using an eccentric contraction. This is rapidly followed by a shortening or concentric contraction.
PNF stretching is a progressive cycle incorporating a static stretch, an isometric contraction and a period of relaxation in the lengthened position. It is aimed at stretching and strengthening muscle in a safe movement.
positive motivation occurs when an individual’s performance is driven by previous reinforcing behaviours.
power is the rate at which force is produced per unit of time.
pre-screening assesses the health status of a person before they become involved in a training program.
prescribed criteria are established by a sports organisation or body and form the basis of assessment for competitions in that sport or activity.
prevalence is the number of cases of disease that exists in a defined population at a point in time.
proactive recovery emphasises immediate refuelling and rehydration that continues until a pre-event state is obtained.
professional describes players who receive payment for playing a sport or make it their livelihood.
propaganda the organised release of ideas, information or arguments in order to further a cause or damage an opposing cause.
psychiatric hospitals care for patients diagnosed with mental illness.
puberty is a stage in the life cycle when rapid physical changes occur that signify that a person has reached sexual maturity.
rehabilitation is the process of restoring a part of the body or a person to near normal function after an injury or disease.
relaxation techniques are a series of techniques that seek to control the body’s response to stress.
reliability refers to the degree of consistency of a test — that is, the ability of the test and tester to produce the same results on successive occasions.
reorienting is adjusting a position, direction or approach to suit particular circumstances.
residential care refers to care given to a patient away from their home. It takes into account the needs and wishes of the person. An example of high level residential care is a clinic that provides help and treatment to sufferers of anorexia.
resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ after difficult times or bad experiences.
respiration is the process of breathing.
resting heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute while the body is at rest.
resynthesis is the process of restoring ATP to its former state.
sanitation relates to cleanliness and involves action taken to protect people from illness, the transmission of disease or loss of life due to unclean surroundings or practices.
scenario is a situation or scene.
schizophrenia affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterised by psychotic symptoms and a reduced range of expressions of emotion.
self-confidence is a firm belief in one’s own ability.
self-efficacy is a person’s degree of confidence in being able to carry out a particular task.
self-esteem is the feeling or opinion (negative or positive) one has about oneself.
self-harm (also known as self-injury) refers to the behaviour of deliberately causing pain or damage to a person’s own body, without suicidal intent.
self-identity is the picture you have of yourself, and it is made up of your thoughts, feelings, emotions and past experiences.
self-paced skills are movements for which the performer determines the timing and speed of execution.
self-sufficiency is the ability to provide for oneself without help from others.
self-worth is the value a person places on his or her own importance.
serial skills involve a sequence of smaller movements that are assembled to make a total skill.
sexism the upholding of attitudes that stereotype people according to their gender, rather than judging them on individual merits.
silent infarction is a heart attack without the typical symptoms.
slow-twitch muscle fibres (also known as type I fibres) contract slowly and for long periods of time. They are recruited for endurance-type activity such as marathons.
social action is any deliberate activity aimed at enhancing the well-being of others and oneself by acting collectively and bringing about change.
social exclusion occurs when a community or group shows bias against particular individuals, which results in them being excluded or feeling left out.
socialisation is the lifelong process of learning through which we inherit the culture of our society — norms, values, gender roles and expectations.
social justice is a value that favours the reduction or elimination of inequity, the promotion of inclusiveness of diversity, and the establishment of environments that are supportive of all people.
sociocultural determinants of health include family, peers, media, religion and culture.
socioeconomic determinants of health include employment, education and income.
socioeconomic status can be broadly measured by a person’s level of income, education, housing and employment.
soft tissue injuries are injuries to all tissue other than bones and teeth.
somatotype is a person’s body type or shape (ectomorphic, mesomorphic or endomorphic).
sponsorship involves an organisation covering all or part of the costs of the competition or activity in return for advertisement of their product and other rights.
sprains arise from the stretching or tearing of a ligament.
squamous cell carcinoma is a surface skin cancer that originates in the squamous or surface cells. It is the fastest growing form of skin cancer.
starting strength is the ability to ‘turn on’ as many muscle fibres as possible in the performance of a movement.
static stretching is a safe form of stretching in which the stretch is held for a period of 10–30 seconds.
steroids are derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone and cause development of masculine characteristics.
strains occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.
strength is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert a force against a resistance.
strength training is a general term that encompasses all types of exercise designed to improve strength and increase muscle size.
stress is a physiological or psychological influence that produces a state of tension in a person.
stress fractures are small incomplete bone fractures caused by repeated pounding, usually on hard surfaces.
stretch reflex is an involuntary muscle contraction that prevents fibre damage if muscles are lengthened beyond their normal range.
stroke results from a blockage of the blood flow to the brain.
stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle of the heart during a contraction. It is measured in mL/beat.
subjective observation refers to a judgement of performance quality based on feelings, impressions or opinions rather than a measurement system.
subroutines are the individual components that collectively comprise a skill.
suicide is a deliberate act of self-inflicted injury, taken by a person with the intention of killing themselves.
supportive environments are the places in which people live, work and play and that protect them from threats to health and allow them to make health-promoting choices.
support structures are the people, places and programs that increase an individual’s ability to make health-promoting choices.
tapering refers to a period immediately before competition when the volume and intensity of training is reduced.
temporal patterning refers to the ability to execute the subroutines in correct sequence.
thermoregulation refers to maintenance of a stable internal temperature independent of the temperature of the environment.
traits are characteristics or observable features of a person.
tumour is a swelling or enlargement caused by a clump of abnormal cells.
validity is the honesty of a test — that is, the degree to which it measures what it is supposed to measure.
vasoconstriction is a decrease in blood vessel size, causing less blood to be supplied to the area that is serviced by that blood vessel.
vitamins are inorganic compounds that are essential to maintaining bodily functions.
volunteer is a person who offers to perform a service for the community on a voluntary basis.
whole practice method is applied when a skill is practised in its entirety.
Reference: Jacplus.online