CSEP-CPT Theory key terms

Voluntary striated tissue that produces force by sliding actin and myosin filaments past each other after calcium and ATP trigger cross-bridge cycling. It generates movement, posture, and heat and adapts to training load.

One alpha motor neuron plus every muscle fiber it innervates. All fibers in the unit contract together, so larger units with more fibers produce greater force when recruited.

Increasing force output by raising the frequency of action potentials sent to an already recruited motor unit, which sums twitches and delays fatigue. It complements recruitment of additional motor units.

The rule that motor units are recruited in order of increasing size, from small slow units to large fast units, as force demand rises. It explains why heavy loads recruit high-threshold fibers.

An increase in muscle fiber cross-sectional area driven by mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage that stimulate protein synthesis. It develops over weeks of progressive resistance training and raises force capacity.

A slow-twitch, oxidative muscle fiber rich in mitochondria and capillaries with high fatigue resistance but modest peak force. It dominates postural and endurance activity and recovers quickly between efforts.

A fast-twitch muscle fiber with high contraction speed and glycolytic capacity but limited fatigue resistance. It produces powerful, brief efforts such as sprinting and heavy lifting and is recruited at high force demands.

The model in which myosin heads bind actin and pull the filaments past each other, shortening sarcomeres without changing filament length. Calcium exposes binding sites and ATP powers each cross-bridge cycle.

The sequence linking a nerve signal to muscle shortening: action potential travels along the sarcolemma and T-tubules, calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and cross-bridges form. Calcium reuptake ends contraction.

Systematically increasing training stress, such as load, volume, or density, as the body adapts so that continued improvement occurs. Without it, gains plateau and detraining may begin.

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function that raises fall and disability risk. Resistance training and adequate protein intake slow its progression in older adults.

The study of how the body converts food energy into ATP for muscular work. It covers the phosphagen, glycolytic, and oxidative systems and how their contributions shift with intensity and duration.

The immediate energy pathway in which stored ATP and phosphocreatine fuel very brief, maximal efforts lasting roughly ten seconds or less. It recovers quickly but has small capacity.

Breakdown of glucose or glycogen to lactate without oxygen, yielding ATP quickly for high-intensity efforts of roughly ten seconds to two minutes. Hydrogen accumulation contributes to fatigue.

Aerobic ATP production in mitochondria through the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, using carbohydrate and fat. It dominates longer, lower-intensity activity and has the largest energy capacity.

The exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to rise faster than it can be cleared, marking a shift toward greater anaerobic contribution. Training at or near this intensity improves endurance performance.

The maximum rate at which the body can take up and use oxygen during intense exercise, expressed in milliliters per kilogram per minute. It reflects cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic power.

Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, the elevated oxygen uptake above resting levels after exercise that supports recovery, hormone restoration, and fuel replenishment. It is larger after intense or prolonged sessions.

The volume of blood the heart ejects per minute, equal to heart rate multiplied by stroke volume. It rises during exercise to deliver oxygen and remove metabolic by-products.

The amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle per beat. It increases with training, filling time, and contractility, and is a major determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness.

The change in systolic and diastolic pressure during exercise, typically a rise in systolic and a modest change in diastolic. Abnormal responses warrant medical follow-up before vigorous training.

The difference between maximal and resting heart rate, used with the Karvonen method to set target intensities that account for individual fitness. It is more precise than percent-of-maximum alone.

The relationship stating that oxygen consumption equals cardiac output multiplied by the arteriovenous oxygen difference. It links cardiovascular delivery and tissue extraction to aerobic performance.

The application of mechanical principles to human movement, covering forces, torques, levers, and motion. It guides exercise technique, injury prevention, and equipment selection.

The perpendicular distance from a joint's axis of rotation to the line of action of an applied force. It determines the torque a muscle or load can produce.

A rotational force equal to force multiplied by moment arm. At joints, muscle torque must exceed resistance torque to move or hold a segment.

The force the ground exerts back on the body during contact, equal and opposite to the force applied. It is measured with force plates and informs landing and gait analysis.

The repeating sequence from one heel strike to the next on the same foot, divided into stance and swing phases. It is used to assess walking and running mechanics and abnormal patterns.

The range of motion available at a joint or group of joints, influenced by muscle, tendon, capsule, and neural factors. It supports movement quality and is developed through targeted stretching.

Holding a position at the end of available range for a set duration to improve tolerance and length. Prolonged static work before power activity may briefly reduce force output.

The arc through which a joint moves, measured in degrees and limited by soft tissue and bony structures. It is assessed to identify restrictions and guide exercise selection.

A subjective scale, such as the six-to-twenty or zero-to-ten format, used to estimate exercise intensity from how hard the client feels they are working. It is useful when heart rate is unreliable.

A practical intensity check in which the ability to speak in full sentences suggests moderate effort, while speaking only a few words indicates vigorous effort. It requires no equipment.

The exercise intensity at which breathing becomes disproportionately labored relative to oxygen uptake, often used as a marker of the lactate threshold. It helps set aerobic and interval training zones.

Planned variation of training variables across cycles to peak performance and manage fatigue. It typically moves from high volume and low intensity toward lower volume and higher intensity.

A maladaptive state of persistent fatigue, performance decline, and mood disturbance resulting from excessive training stress with insufficient recovery. It requires reduced load and rest.

The process of explaining assessment and training risks, benefits, and alternatives so a client can voluntarily agree to participate. It is documented before testing or exercise begins.

A self-administered screening questionnaire that identifies whether a person needs medical clearance before becoming more physically active. Positive answers trigger follow-up questions.

The structured review of health history, symptoms, and risk factors used to decide whether medical clearance is needed and which testing intensity is safe. It precedes exercise prescription.