Physical Education key terms

The length of time a physical activity lasts.

The ability to exert muscular force repeatedly over time, producing repeated movement; closely related to muscular endurance.

Stretching that uses controlled movement to take muscles and joints through a range of movement.

An isotonic contraction in which a muscle lengthens under tension, often controlling movement against gravity.

A body type characterised by a thin, lean frame, usually tall, with narrow shoulders and hips, long limbs and little fat or muscle.

Achieving the intended result with minimal wasted energy or unnecessary movement.

The force applied to move a lever, usually supplied by a contracting muscle in the body.

The distance from the fulcrum to the point where the effort is applied on a basic lever drawing.

A blockage of a blood vessel by material, such as a blood clot, carried in the bloodstream.

A body type characterised by a pear-shaped physique, wide hips, relatively narrow shoulders and higher fat content.

The ability to sustain exercise over time; aerobic endurance depends on supplying oxygen to working muscles.

The energy used by the body, including energy used during physical activity and exercise.

A pattern of participation in physical activity or sport, including differences in participation rates between social groups.

A scale classifying skills from open to closed according to how much the surrounding environment influences their performance.

Erythropoietin: a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption: the increased oxygen intake above the normal resting level after strenuous exercise, needed to repay the oxygen debt.

Moral principles about what is right and wrong, rather than simply what is legal or illegal.

A convention or unwritten rule in a sport that performers are expected to observe, although it is not an enforceable playing rule.

The change of a liquid into a gas. When sweat evaporates from the skin, it takes heat energy away from the body.

How hard the body is working during physical activity.

Breathing air out of the lungs; also called expiration.

The additional volume of air that can be breathed out after a normal exhalation.

The ability to exert strength at speed; another name for power.

A movement that increases the angle at a joint, such as straightening the knee.

A skill whose start and speed, rate or pace are controlled by external factors, such as an opponent or an incoming ball.

Feedback received from outside the performer, such as comments from a coach or teammate.

Motivation that comes from another source or person through tangible or intangible rewards.