Maharashtra SSC Physical Education and Sports Pre-Voc/NSQF key terms

The ability of the body to carry out daily tasks with vigour and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with enough energy left for leisure and emergencies. It combines health-related and skill-related components.

The capacity of the heart, blood vessels and lungs to supply oxygen-rich blood to working muscles during sustained activity. It is improved by continuous rhythmic exercise such as running, swimming or cycling at moderate intensity.

The maximum force a muscle or muscle group can generate in a single effort against resistance. It is developed through heavy resistance work with low repetitions, such as weight training or push-ups.

The ability of a muscle group to perform repeated contractions or hold a position for a long time without tiring. It is built by high-repetition, low-resistance work such as sit-ups or plank holds.

The range of motion available at a joint or group of joints. It depends on muscle, tendon and ligament length and is maintained by regular stretching, which reduces stiffness and injury risk.

The proportion of fat mass to lean mass (muscle, bone, water and organs) in the body. It is assessed by measures such as BMI, skinfold thickness and waist circumference, and reflects nutrition and activity habits.

A screening number found by dividing body weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres. It classifies weight status as underweight, normal, overweight or obese, but does not measure body fat directly.

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.

Gentle activity and static stretching performed after exercise to return heart rate and breathing gradually to resting levels. It helps clear metabolic waste and reduces stiffness and dizziness after hard effort.

Activity of moderate intensity sustained long enough for the body to use oxygen as its main energy source, such as jogging, skipping or cycling. It strengthens the heart and lungs and burns fat efficiently.

Short, high-intensity effort in which the body works without enough oxygen, such as sprinting or heavy lifting. It builds power and speed but can only be sustained for brief periods before fatigue.

The range of heart beats per minute at which exercise best improves cardiovascular fitness, usually about 60 to 80 per cent of maximum heart rate. Maximum rate is roughly estimated as 220 minus age in years.

A contraction in which the muscle develops tension but does not change length and no joint movement occurs, such as a wall sit or plank. It builds static strength and is useful in rehabilitation.

Training that uses rapid stretch-shortening cycles of muscle, such as jumping and bounding, to develop explosive power. It requires good base strength and careful landing technique to avoid joint injury.

A steady, comfortable body posture practised in yoga to develop strength, balance and flexibility while calming the mind. Common examples are Tadasana, Bhujangasana and Shavasana.

The yogic practice of regulating the breath through controlled inhalation, retention and exhalation. It improves lung capacity, steadies the nervous system and aids concentration before or after asana practice.

Sustained, relaxed attention on a single object, breath or sound to quiet mental chatter. Regular practice reduces stress, improves focus and supports emotional balance, and is often paired with yoga.

A sequence of twelve linked yoga postures performed in a flowing cycle with coordinated breathing. It warms the body, stretches major muscle groups and serves as a complete short fitness routine.

An injury to a ligament, the tissue joining bone to bone, caused by a sudden twist or overstretch of a joint. Signs are pain, swelling and limited movement; the ankle is most commonly affected.

An overstretch or tear of a muscle or of the tendon attaching it to bone, often from sudden effort or poor warm-up. It causes local pain, stiffness and sometimes bruising.

First-aid steps for soft-tissue injury: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. It limits swelling and pain in the first 24 to 48 hours; ice is applied for short periods with cloth protection.

A break or crack in a bone caused by impact, twisting or disease. It shows as severe pain, deformity, swelling and loss of function; the limb should be immobilised and the casualty taken for medical care.

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

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions, with rescue breaths where trained, given when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. It keeps blood and oxygen moving until emergency services take over.

A diet supplying carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water in the right proportions for the body's needs. It supports growth, energy for sport and recovery after training.

Maintaining adequate body water before, during and after activity to replace losses through sweat and breathing. Even mild dehydration reduces strength, endurance and concentration, especially in hot weather.

A pre-competition strategy of increasing carbohydrate intake while tapering training to fill muscle glycogen stores. It suits endurance events lasting more than about ninety minutes, not sprint or skill events.

A heat illness marked by heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and cold clammy skin after exertion in heat. The person should be moved to shade, cooled and given fluids, and watched for worsening.

A rule in football and hockey restricting attackers from gaining an unfair positional advantage ahead of the ball and the second-last defender. The exact condition differs by sport and is judged at the moment of the pass.

An unfair act against the rules of a game, such as pushing, tripping or handling the ball illegally. The referee stops play and restarts it with a free hit, throw-in, penalty or similar sanction.

The official who controls play, applies the rules and gives decisions during a match. Referees signal fouls, keep time, manage player conduct and record results, and their decisions are final in play.

A match official who judges play from a position on the field, court or behind the stumps, depending on the sport. Umpires signal rule breaches and coordinate with other officials to keep the contest fair.

A competition format in which a losing team or player is eliminated immediately, so the field halves each round until a winner remains. It is quick and economical but allows no second chance after one loss.

A format in which every entrant plays every other entrant, and ranking is decided by total wins or points. It is fair and gives more matches but needs far more time than a knockout draw.

A free pass into the next round given to an entrant who has no opponent, used when the number of teams is not a power of two. It keeps the draw balanced without extra matches.

Starting and running a business venture linked to sport, such as a fitness centre, sports academy, equipment shop or event service. It combines sporting knowledge with planning, marketing and financial management.

The planning, organising, staffing and controlling of sporting organisations, events and facilities. Careers include team manager, event coordinator and facility administrator, requiring both sport knowledge and business skill.

Reporting and commenting on sporting events through print, broadcast or digital media. It requires strong writing, knowledge of games and rules, and ethical handling of interviews and match information.

A health profession that assesses, treats and rehabilitates movement injuries in athletes. Physiotherapists use exercise, manual therapy and advice to restore function and guide safe return to play.