SACE Stage 2 Physical Education key terms

The maximum amount of oxygen the body can take in and use during sustained, vigorous exercise. It reflects how well the heart, lungs and muscles work together to supply energy with oxygen.

The highest rate at which oxygen can be consumed and used by working muscles, usually expressed in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute. It is a key marker of aerobic fitness.

The total amount of work the body can perform using energy systems that do not rely on oxygen. It supports short, intense efforts such as sprints or heavy lifting before fatigue sets in.

The rate at which the body can produce energy without oxygen, allowing very fast or forceful movements over brief periods. It is often tested with short maximal efforts such as a vertical jump.

The ability of the heart, blood vessels and lungs to deliver oxygen to working muscles and remove wastes during prolonged activity. Higher endurance allows a person to keep exercising for longer without tiring.

The greatest force a muscle or group of muscles can produce in a single maximal effort. It is commonly measured by the heaviest load a person can lift once with correct technique.

The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to keep producing force over many repetitions or a sustained hold. It allows repeated work without early fatigue.

The ability to produce force quickly, combining strength with speed. It determines performance in explosive actions such as jumping, throwing and sprinting starts.

The range of movement available at a joint or group of joints. It depends on muscle length, joint structure and connective tissue, and affects posture and injury risk.

The ability to change direction or body position quickly and accurately while maintaining control. It combines speed, coordination, balance and reaction time.

The rate at which the body or a body part moves from one point to another in a given time. It depends on stride length, stride frequency and neuromuscular coordination.

The ability to keep the body's centre of gravity within its base of support, whether still or moving. It relies on information from the eyes, inner ear and muscle sensors.

The interval between a stimulus, such as a starting signal, and the beginning of a movement response. Shorter reaction times give an athlete an advantage in fast-start activities.

The ability to link movements of different body parts smoothly and efficiently into a purposeful action. It involves the nervous system controlling muscles in the right sequence and timing.

The proportions of fat mass and fat-free mass (muscle, bone, organs and water) that make up a person's body. It is used to assess health and physical performance.

A screening measure calculated by dividing body mass in kilograms by height in metres squared. It estimates weight status but does not show how much of the mass is fat.

A period of gradually increasing activity before exercise that raises body temperature, increases blood flow and prepares muscles and joints for the demands ahead.

Gentle activity and stretching performed after exercise to help the body return gradually to resting state, reduce heart rate and ease muscle stiffness and soreness.

A technique where a muscle is lengthened and held in a still position for a set time. It is often used to improve flexibility, usually after activity when muscles are warm.

A technique using controlled, repeated movements through a joint's full range to prepare the body for activity. It raises muscle temperature and mimics sport-specific motions.

A framework for designing training programs based on Frequency (how often), Intensity (how hard), Time (how long) and Type (what kind of exercise) of activity.

Gradually increasing the demands placed on the body during training so that it continues to adapt and improve rather than plateauing at the same level.

The training principle that adaptations are specific to the type of activity performed. Training must closely resemble the sport or movement the athlete wants to improve.

The physiological changes the body makes in response to repeated training stress, such as stronger muscles or a more efficient heart, which improve performance over time.

The period of rest and restoration after training or competition during which the body repairs tissues, replenishes energy stores and adapts. Inadequate recovery can lead to overtraining.

A condition caused by excessive training without enough rest, leading to persistent fatigue, declining performance, poor mood and increased injury or illness risk.

A temporary decline in the ability to produce force or sustain effort, caused by factors such as energy depletion, waste buildup and nervous system changes during exercise.

The molecule that stores and releases energy for muscle contraction. It is the body's immediate energy currency and is replenished by all three energy systems.

A by-product formed when glucose is broken down without oxygen during intense exercise. It contributes to the burning sensation and fatigue felt in hard efforts.

The number of times the heart beats per minute. It rises during exercise to deliver more oxygen to muscles and is used to monitor and set training intensity.

A range of heart rates, usually a percentage of maximum heart rate, that indicates the intensity needed to gain aerobic benefits safely during training.

The study of the mechanical principles that govern human movement, including forces, levers, motion and stability, and how they apply to sport and exercise performance.

A push or pull that can change the motion or shape of an object. In sport it is produced by muscles and affects how fast, far or high a body or object moves.

A rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point called a fulcrum when force is applied. Bones act as levers in the body, with joints as fulcrums and muscles providing force.

The point at which the body's weight is evenly balanced in all directions. Stability improves when this point sits lower and within a wider base of support.

The process by which a learner develops the ability to perform a movement skill with increasing consistency, accuracy and efficiency through practice and feedback.

A learned movement or action performed with purpose and efficiency, such as throwing, catching or running. Skills can be classified as open or closed depending on the environment.

Information given to a learner about their performance that helps them understand what to change. It can be intrinsic, from the senses, or extrinsic, from a coach or video.