Maharashtra HSC Health & PE study materials
Maharashtra HSC Health & PE study resources

Maharashtra HSC Health & PE key terms

Maharashtra HSC Health & PE · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It enables a person to function effectively and cope with daily demands.

Related: Physical Fitness, Wellness
Physical Fitness

The ability to carry out daily tasks with alertness and vigor, without undue fatigue, and with enough energy left to enjoy leisure and meet emergencies. It includes health-related and skill-related components.

Related: Health, Cardiovascular Endurance
Wellness

An active, lifelong process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. It covers physical, emotional, intellectual, social, occupational, and spiritual dimensions, not just the absence of illness.

Related: Health, Balanced Diet
Cardiovascular Endurance

The ability of the heart, blood vessels, and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to working muscles during sustained physical activity. It is developed through aerobic exercises like running, swimming, and cycling.

Related: Aerobic Exercise, Physical Fitness
Muscular Strength

The maximum amount of force a muscle or muscle group can exert against resistance in a single effort. It is improved by resistance training with heavier loads and low repetitions.

Related: Muscular Endurance, Flexibility
Muscular Endurance

The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to perform repeated contractions against a submaximal resistance over a period of time. Activities like push-ups, sit-ups, and plank holds develop it.

Related: Muscular Strength, Physical Fitness
Flexibility

The range of motion available at a joint or group of joints. It depends on muscle elasticity, joint structure, and connective tissue, and is improved through stretching exercises.

Related: Muscular Strength, Warm-up
Body Composition

The relative proportions of fat mass and fat-free mass (muscle, bone, water, organs) in the body. It is assessed using measures like BMI, skinfold thickness, and bioelectrical impedance.

Related: BMI, Balanced Diet
BMI (Body Mass Index)

A ratio calculated from weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. It is used to classify underweight, normal, overweight, and obese categories in adults and, with age-specific charts, in children.

Related: Body Composition, Obesity
Aerobic Exercise

Physical activity performed at moderate intensity for a sustained period, where oxygen supply meets demand. It strengthens the heart and lungs and improves cardiovascular endurance.

Related: Cardiovascular Endurance, Anaerobic Exercise
Anaerobic Exercise

Short-duration, high-intensity activity where the body's oxygen demand exceeds supply. It relies on stored energy sources and produces lactic acid, improving speed, power, and muscular strength.

Related: Aerobic Exercise, Lactic Acid
Warm-up

A preparatory phase of light exercise and stretching before main activity. It raises muscle temperature, increases blood flow, improves flexibility, and reduces the risk of injury.

Related: Cool-down, Flexibility
Cool-down

Gentle exercise and stretching performed after physical activity to help the body return to resting state. It aids removal of waste products, reduces muscle soreness, and prevents dizziness.

Related: Warm-up, Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid

A by-product formed when the body breaks down glucose for energy without sufficient oxygen during intense exercise. Its accumulation in muscles contributes to fatigue and burning sensation.

Related: Anaerobic Exercise, Cool-down
Overload Principle

A training principle stating that to improve fitness, the body must be subjected to greater demands than it is accustomed to. The load must be gradually increased as the body adapts.

Related: Progressive Overload, Adaptation
Progressive Overload

The systematic and gradual increase in training intensity, duration, or frequency over time. It prevents plateaus and allows continuous improvement while reducing injury risk.

Related: Overload Principle, Adaptation
Adaptation

The physiological changes that occur in the body in response to repeated physical stress, such as increased muscle size, stronger heart, and improved endurance. It is the basis of fitness improvement.

Related: Overload Principle, Progressive Overload
Balanced Diet

A diet that provides all essential nutrients in correct proportions and adequate amounts for optimal health. It includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and roughage.

Related: Macronutrients, Micronutrients
Macronutrients

Nutrients required by the body in large amounts to provide energy and support growth. They include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, each supplying a specific number of calories per gram.

Related: Balanced Diet, Micronutrients
Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals needed by the body in small quantities for normal functioning, growth, and disease prevention. They do not supply energy but are essential for metabolic processes.

Related: Balanced Diet, Macronutrients
Dehydration

A condition where the body loses more water than it takes in, disrupting normal functions. Symptoms include thirst, dark urine, fatigue, and dizziness; it impairs physical performance and must be prevented by drinking water.

Related: Balanced Diet, Heat Exhaustion
Obesity

A medical condition of excess body fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. It is often measured by BMI and results from genetic, dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Related: BMI, Body Composition
Personal Hygiene

Practices that maintain cleanliness of the body to prevent illness and promote health. It includes bathing, hand washing, oral care, hair care, and wearing clean clothes.

Related: Sanitation, First Aid
First Aid

Immediate, temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical help arrives. It aims to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery.

Related: CPR, RICE
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

An emergency procedure combining chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation and breathing in a person whose heart has stopped. It buys time until advanced medical care is available.

Related: First Aid, Recovery Position
RICE

A first-aid acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, used to treat soft-tissue injuries like sprains and strains. It reduces pain, swelling, and bleeding.

Related: First Aid, Sprain
Sprain

An injury to a ligament caused by stretching or tearing, often from a sudden twist or fall. It causes pain, swelling, and limited movement, and is managed with RICE and rest.

Related: Strain, RICE
Strain

An injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or overexertion. It results in pain, weakness, and swelling, and is treated with rest, ice, and gradual rehabilitation.

Related: Sprain, RICE
Offside (Football)

A law in football stating that a player is offside if any part of the body with which they can score is in the opponents' half, beyond the second-last defender, and ahead of the ball when it is played, and they become involved in active play.

Related: Dribbling, Referee
Dribbling

In sports like basketball, football, and hockey, the skill of moving the ball with the hand, foot, or stick under control. It allows a player to advance, evade opponents, and create scoring opportunities.

Related: Passing, Offside (Football)
Referee

An official who controls a match, enforces the rules, and makes decisions on fouls and misconduct. In football, the referee has full authority and uses cards to discipline players.

Related: Umpire, Offside (Football)
Umpire

An official who judges play and enforces rules in sports such as cricket, hockey, tennis, and volleyball. Umpires signal decisions using prescribed hand signals and may consult technology.

Related: Referee, Scorer
Motivation

The internal or external drive that initiates, directs, and sustains goal-oriented behavior. In sports, it influences effort, persistence, and performance and can be intrinsic or extrinsic.

Related: Self-Efficacy, Arousal
Self-Efficacy

A person's belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific task or achieve a goal. High self-efficacy increases effort, persistence, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Related: Motivation, Goal Setting
Arousal

The level of physiological and psychological activation or readiness in a person. In sport, moderate arousal often optimizes performance, while too high or too low arousal impairs it.

Related: Motivation, Anxiety
Goal Setting

The process of identifying specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound targets. In sports, effective goal setting enhances motivation, focus, and performance.

Related: Motivation, Self-Efficacy
Asana

A steady, comfortable body posture practiced in yoga to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Examples include Tadasana, Bhujangasana, and Vrikshasana.

Related: Pranayama, Meditation
Pranayama

The practice of controlled breathing techniques in yoga to regulate and expand life force energy. It includes methods like Anulom Vilom, Kapalbhati, and Bhramari, improving lung capacity and calming the mind.

Related: Asana, Meditation
Meditation

A practice of focusing attention to achieve a calm, clear, and stable state of mind. It reduces stress, improves concentration, and enhances emotional well-being.

Related: Pranayama, Asana
Community Health

The health status of a defined group of people and the actions taken to protect and improve it. It involves disease prevention, health promotion, sanitation, and access to healthcare services.

Related: Sanitation, Immunization
Sanitation

The provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human waste and maintenance of hygienic conditions. It prevents disease transmission and is a cornerstone of public health.

Related: Personal Hygiene, Community Health
Immunization

The process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. It stimulates the immune system to develop resistance and is a key public health measure.

Related: Community Health, Vaccine
Heat Exhaustion

A heat-related illness caused by loss of water and salt through excessive sweating. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea; it requires cooling and rehydration.

Related: Dehydration, Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke

A life-threatening condition where the body's temperature regulation fails, causing core temperature above 40°C. Symptoms include confusion, hot dry skin, and loss of consciousness; it requires immediate cooling and emergency care.

Related: Heat Exhaustion, First Aid