BGCSE Physical Education key terms

The muscle that produces the main force for a movement by shortening, also called the prime mover. For example, the biceps brachii is the agonist during elbow flexion.

The muscle that opposes the agonist, relaxing and lengthening to allow the movement to happen smoothly and to protect the joint from damage.

The process in which muscle fibres generate tension by sliding filaments past one another. It may shorten the muscle (isotonic) or hold it steady without changing length (isometric).

Muscle fibres that contract quickly and powerfully but tire rapidly. They suit short bursts such as sprinting or jumping and rely on anaerobic energy release.

Muscle fibres that contract slowly but resist fatigue well, making them suited to endurance activities such as distance running. They depend mainly on aerobic energy production.

The meeting point between two or more bones. Joints allow movement, absorb shock and give the skeleton flexibility; examples include the hinge knee and the ball-and-socket hip.

A rigid structure such as a bone that rotates about a fixed point when force is applied. In the body, muscles supply the effort, bones act as levers and joints act as pivots.

The volume of blood the heart pumps out in one minute. It equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume and rises during exercise to deliver more oxygen to working muscles.

The amount of blood forced out of the heart with each beat. Regular endurance training increases stroke volume, so the heart can pump the same output with fewer beats.

The number of times the heart beats per minute. It rises during activity and falls with rest and fitness, so it is widely used to measure exercise intensity.

The largest volume of air a person can breathe out after breathing in as fully as possible. It reflects lung size and function and can improve with training.

The movement of oxygen from the lungs into the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood into the lungs. It happens across thin walls in the alveoli.

The ability of the body to keep working for a long time using oxygen. It depends on the heart, lungs and muscles and is built through steady, sustained training.

Training that is steady and moderate in intensity, lasting long enough for the body to use oxygen to supply energy. It improves heart, lung and muscle efficiency.

Short, high-intensity work such as sprints or interval sets, performed where oxygen supply cannot keep up with demand. It builds speed, power and tolerance to fatigue.

A training method that alternates fixed periods of hard work with set periods of rest or light recovery. It develops both speed and endurance and is easily adjusted to the performer.

Gradually increasing the demands placed on the body so that it keeps adapting and improving. Load, repetitions, distance or frequency may be raised in small, planned steps.

The body's long-term response to training, such as a stronger heart or larger muscles. Adaptation only happens when training is regular and demanding enough to stress the body.

The principle that fitness gains are lost if training stops or becomes less demanding. Muscles weaken and endurance drops, so training must be maintained to keep results.

Training should match the demands of the sport or activity. A sprinter needs short, explosive work, while a distance runner needs long, steady work to improve.

A target range of heart rate or effort that guides how hard a session should be. Different zones develop recovery, endurance, or speed and power.

A short period of gentle activity and stretching before exercise. It raises body temperature, increases blood flow and prepares muscles and joints, lowering injury risk.

Gentle activity and stretching done after exercise. It helps heart rate and breathing return to normal gradually and may reduce stiffness and soreness afterwards.

A learned movement performed with accuracy and control to achieve a goal. Skills can be closed, in a stable setting, or open, where the environment changes.

Repeated performance of a movement to improve it. Practice may be massed in long blocks or distributed with rests, and whole or part depending on the skill.

Information a performer receives about a movement. It can be internal, from the body's senses, or external, from a coach, video or result, and it guides improvement.

The drive that makes a person start and keep working at an activity. It may be intrinsic, from enjoyment, or extrinsic, from rewards such as medals or praise.

The level of alertness and energy a performer feels. Too little or too much arousal can harm performance, so athletes learn to reach an optimal level.

A feeling of worry or nervousness about performance. It can raise heart rate and tighten muscles, and is managed through breathing, preparation and positive self-talk.

Deciding on clear targets to work towards, such as a personal best or a weekly training count. Specific, measurable and realistic goals raise motivation and focus.

Eating the right amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. It supports energy, growth, recovery and good health.

Taking in enough water to replace what the body loses through sweat and breathing. It helps control body temperature and keeps performance and concentration steady.

A state of ongoing fatigue and poor performance caused by too much training with too little rest. Signs include persistent soreness, low motivation and frequent illness.

A heat illness with heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness and nausea, often from exercising in hot conditions. The person should be cooled and given fluids promptly.

An injury to a ligament, the tissue joining bone to bone, caused by a sudden twist or stretch. Signs include pain, swelling and reduced movement of the joint.

An injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or sudden force. It causes pain, stiffness and weakness, and is treated with rest, ice and gradual return.

Carefully observing a performance, often with video, to identify strengths and faults. The findings guide feedback and practice so the movement becomes more efficient.

A record of an athlete's strengths and weaknesses across the parts of a sport, used to plan training. It may be built from test results, observation and self-assessment.