Fitness+Terminology

Fitness Terminology
Physical Activity: Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles and resulting in energy expenditure.

Health: Not merely the absence of disease but the ability to live to the fullest, with zest and energy and the ability to cope with emergencies.

Physical Fitness: A set of attributes that are either health related (cardio-respiratory fitness, strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, body composition) or skill related (balance, reaction time, co-ordination, agility, speed, power).

Exercise: Planned, structured physical activities designed to maintain or improve fitness.

Aerobic Fitness: The ability of the heart and respiratory system to supply oxygen and nutrients to working muscles and take away waste products.

ParticipAction: A fitness promotion campaign that emphasizes strenuous activity three times a week for at least 20 minutes each time.

DPA (daily physical activity): At least 20 minutes of planned, progressive physical activity every school day.

Active living: A way of life in which physical activity is valued and integrated into daily life, relative to each person’s ability, needs, aspirations and environment.

FITT: A mnemonic helpful in exercise prescription (frequency, intensity, time and type)

Vitality: An integrated approach to healthy living that emphasizes healthy eating, active living and positive body and self-image.

Wellness: A current term, more often used by non-traditional medical practitioners that focuses on proactive and preventive actions to improve total health status.

Holistic health: The belief that physical, mental and spiritual aspects of health are equally important parts of total health.

Inclusion: Goal of making all activities available to everyone regardless of abilities or barriers.

Sarcopenia: Loss of muscle mass associated with old age. Preventable and treatable.

Osteoporosis: A[|disease] of [|bones] that leads to an increased risk of [|fracture]. In osteoporosis the [|bone mineral density] (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered. It can be prevented with lifestyle changes and sometimes medication.

Metabolic Fitness: Health factors improved by regular exercise (i.e. blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar level)

Sedentary lifestyle: Activities that involve a lot of sitting