Maharashtra SSC Health & Physical Education Grade key terms

The set of five fitness components that directly affect how well the body functions and stays free of disease: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Schools test these separately from skill-related fitness.

The ability of the heart, blood vessels, and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to working muscles during sustained activity such as running or swimming. Judged by how long effort can be continued before breathlessness forces a stop.

The proportion of fat mass to lean mass (muscle, bone, water, organs) in the body. It is estimated in schools using height, weight, and skinfold or BMI measures rather than direct laboratory testing.

The range of motion available at a joint or group of joints. It depends on muscle length, joint structure, and connective tissue, and improves with regular stretching when the body is warm.

Body Mass Index, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. It is a quick screening indicator of underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obesity in adolescents, though it cannot distinguish muscle from fat.

A short preparatory phase of light activity and dynamic movement done before training or competition. It raises muscle temperature, increases blood flow, and improves joint mobility, lowering the chance of strain or sprain.

Gentle activity and static stretching performed after exercise to return heart rate and breathing gradually toward resting levels. It helps clear metabolic waste and reduces stiffness felt the following day.

The maximum volume of oxygen the body can take up and use per minute during all-out effort, usually expressed in millilitres per kilogram per minute. It is the standard laboratory measure of aerobic power.

A football rule: an attacker is penalised for being nearer the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them, unless in their own half or level with the last two defenders.

In football and basketball, moving the ball forward under close control using repeated small touches or bounces. Good dribbling keeps the ball within easy reach while the player's head stays up to read the game.

In basketball and handball, a stationary turn on one foot while holding the ball, used to change facing direction without travelling. The pivot foot must stay in contact with the floor until the ball is released.

A powerful overhead attacking stroke in badminton, tennis, and volleyball, hit downward with a fast arm swing. It is the main offensive weapon and depends on timing, jump height, and wrist snap.

The stroke that starts a point or rally, sending the ball into the opponent's court from a defined position. Each sport sets rules on where the server stands, how the ball is tossed, and where it must land.

The continuous exchange of shots between opponents after a service until a point is won or an error or fault occurs. Long rallies test stamina, footwork, and concentration.

A steady, comfortable body posture practised in yoga to build strength, balance, and flexibility while calming the mind. Each asana has a correct alignment, a breathing pattern, and stated precautions.

The yogic practice of conscious regulation of breath through inhalation, retention, and exhalation in controlled rhythms. It is used to calm the nervous system, improve lung capacity, and sharpen attention before study or sport.

The mountain pose, a standing asana in which the feet are together or hip-width apart, the spine is straight, arms alongside the body, and weight is balanced evenly. It corrects posture and is the base for many standing poses.

The cobra pose, lying face down with palms beside the chest and lifting the head and trunk while the pelvis stays on the floor. It strengthens the back and opens the chest; it is avoided in pregnancy and recent abdominal injury.

Sustained, purposeful focusing of attention, often on the breath or a single point, to quiet mental chatter. Regular practice is linked with reduced anxiety, better sleep, and improved concentration in adolescents.

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

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: cycles of chest compressions, and in trained rescuers rescue breaths, given when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Compressions push blood to the brain until help or a defibrillator arrives.

First-aid routine for soft-tissue injury: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It limits swelling and pain in the first 24 to 48 hours; ice is applied wrapped in cloth for short periods, never directly on bare skin.

A stable side-lying position used for an unconscious person who is breathing, to keep the airway open and allow fluids to drain from the mouth. It is not used when a spinal injury is suspected.

An injury to a ligament, the tissue joining bone to bone, caused by a sudden twist or overstretch, most often at the ankle. Signs are pain, swelling, and bruising; it is managed initially with the RICE routine.

An overstretch or partial tear of a muscle or of the tendon attaching muscle to bone, often from a sudden explosive effort or poor warm-up. It causes local pain and weakness rather than joint instability.

A temporary disturbance of brain function after a blow to the head, shown by headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, or memory gaps. The player must be removed from play at once and assessed medically; return is gradual.

A diet supplying all nutrients in the proportions the body needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fibre. It matches energy intake to age, sex, and activity level rather than following a single food rule.

A nutrient needed in large amounts to supply energy or building material: carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates are the main fuel for sport, proteins repair tissue, and fats carry vitamins and protect organs.

A vitamin or mineral required in small quantities for growth, immunity, and metabolism, such as iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Deficiency causes specific problems, for example anaemia from low iron.

A loss of body water greater than the amount taken in, causing thirst, dark urine, fatigue, and reduced performance. It is prevented by drinking before, during, and after exercise rather than only when thirsty.

Daily habits that keep the body clean and limit infection: bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth, wearing clean clothes, and caring for feet and nails. In sport it includes washing kit and drying footwear after training.

A fungal skin infection between the toes causing itching, peeling, and soreness, spread by damp floors and shared footwear. Prevention means drying feet well, changing socks daily, and not sharing towels or shoes.

The developmental stage roughly from 10 to 19 years in which puberty brings rapid growth, secondary sexual characteristics, and emotional change. Activity and nutrition needs rise sharply while body image concerns also appear.

The period of fastest increase in height and weight during puberty, typically lasting two to three years. Coordination and flexibility may temporarily lag behind growth, so training loads should be adjusted.

The internal or external drive that starts, directs, and sustains effort toward a goal. Intrinsic motivation comes from enjoyment and mastery; extrinsic motivation comes from rewards, praise, or fear of punishment.

Planning specific, measurable, achievable targets with a time limit, such as improving a sprint time by a set amount in six weeks. Short-term goals build confidence toward long-term aims and sharpen focus in training.

A person's belief in their own ability to succeed at a task. In sport it grows from past success, sound preparation, and encouragement, and it strongly influences effort and performance under pressure.

An illness that spreads from person to person or through vectors, food, water, or air, such as tuberculosis, malaria, or influenza. Prevention relies on hygiene, safe water, immunisation, and early detection.

A disease not passed between people, usually long-lasting and linked to lifestyle, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet lower the risk.

Excess body fat that raises the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and joint problems, screened by a high BMI for age. It is managed through sustained activity, portion control, and reduced sugar and fried food intake.

A tournament format in which every team plays every other team at least once. It is the fairest system because ranking depends on total wins, but it needs many matches and long schedules.

A format in which the loser of each match is eliminated and the winner advances to the next round. It is quick and economical, but a strong team can be eliminated by one poor performance.

A round in which a team does not play because the number of entries is not a power of two, letting it advance automatically to the next round. Byes are calculated from the next higher power of two minus the entries.

The drawn schedule that fixes which teams play, on what date, at what venue, and at what time. A fair fixture spreads rest days evenly and avoids giving any team repeated home advantage.

A trained professional who plans and delivers physical activity lessons, assesses fitness and skill, and promotes health and sportsmanship in school. In Maharashtra, recruitment follows state education service rules and required qualifications.

A person who plans training, selects players, teaches technique and tactics, and manages the welfare of a team or athlete. Coaching careers exist in schools, clubs, academies, and state sports bodies.

The official who controls a match, applies the rules, keeps time and score, and settles disputes on the field. Refereeing requires rule knowledge, fitness, decisiveness, and impartial conduct.