RBSE SS PE key terms

A planned programme of physical activity and instruction that develops motor skills, fitness, teamwork and healthy habits, and is taught through structured lessons in schools and colleges.

The range of professions open to a physical education graduate, including teaching, coaching, sports officiating, fitness training, sports journalism, sports management, physiotherapy support and recreation leadership.

The study of how the body's systems, especially the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems, respond and adapt to short-term exercise and long-term training.

A feeling of relief from breathlessness and discomfort that a runner may experience a few minutes after starting, once breathing and circulation have adjusted to the effort.

The extra oxygen consumed after vigorous exercise ends, used to restore the body's oxygen stores and remove metabolic by-products such as lactic acid.

A by-product formed when muscles break down glucose without enough oxygen during intense effort; its build-up is linked to muscle fatigue and soreness.

An injury in which the ligaments around a joint are stretched or torn, usually caused by a sudden twist, with pain, swelling and limited movement.

An injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or overexertion, producing pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling around the affected area.

First-aid steps for soft-tissue injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, applied early to reduce pain, bleeding and swelling in the injured part.

A sudden, involuntary and painful contraction of a muscle, often caused by dehydration, loss of electrolytes, fatigue or overuse during activity.

The ability to carry out daily tasks with vigour and alertness, without undue fatigue, leaving enough energy to enjoy leisure and meet emergencies.

The components of fitness linked to good health: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.

An active, deliberate lifestyle choice that integrates physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health to achieve a higher quality of life.

A non-communicable condition such as obesity, diabetes or hypertension whose risk rises with inactivity, poor diet, smoking, stress and other daily habits.

A screening measure calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, used to classify underweight, normal, overweight and obese ranges.

The total amount of physical stress placed on an athlete by training, described by volume and intensity, and adjusted to produce improvement without overtraining.

The training rule that the body improves only when the workload is raised above its current habitual level, forcing adaptation to a greater demand.

The gradual and systematic increase of training demand over time, in volume, intensity or frequency, so that fitness keeps improving without injury.

A state of prolonged fatigue, poor performance, disturbed sleep and low mood caused by training loads that exceed the athlete's capacity to recover.

The rest, sleep, nutrition and light activity that allow the body to repair after training and to adapt to the load it has been given.

A method in which repeated bouts of relatively intense work are separated by planned rest or light activity, improving speed and cardiovascular fitness efficiently.

A method of steady, uninterrupted aerobic exercise at a moderate intensity for a prolonged period, mainly developing cardiovascular endurance.

The relatively stable pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that distinguishes one person from another and shapes how an athlete responds to sport situations.

The view that personality consists of enduring characteristics that remain fairly consistent across situations and predict a person's typical behaviour.

The internal or external force that arouses, directs and sustains behaviour toward a goal, such as training hard or performing well in competition.

The drive to take part in an activity for its own sake, because of enjoyment, interest or personal satisfaction, rather than for reward or pressure.

The drive to act because of outside rewards or pressures such as trophies, money, praise, selection or fear of punishment.

An unpleasant emotional state of worry and apprehension, felt in the body as tension and in the mind as doubt, often before or during competition.

The general level of physical and mental activation or readiness that a performer brings to a task, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement.

Behaviour intended to harm another person physically or psychologically; in sport it may be hostile and rule-breaking or assertive and within the rules.

A daily eating pattern that supplies all nutrients in the right proportions, with enough energy for activity and nothing in harmful excess.

The nutrients needed in large amounts to supply energy and build tissue: carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Vitamins and minerals required in small amounts for metabolism, immunity, bone health and tissue repair, though they supply no energy themselves.

An eating disorder in which a person severely restricts food intake and fears weight gain despite being underweight, risking serious health consequences.

An eating disorder marked by episodes of overeating followed by purging, fasting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.

A condition of excess body fat that raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease and joint problems, often measured through body mass index.

The process of assigning a numerical value or score to a performance or physical attribute using a defined test, scale or instrument.

The interpretation of measurement results against standards or goals, allowing a judgement about an athlete's progress, fitness level or readiness.

The consistency of a test: the degree to which it produces similar results when repeated on the same person under the same conditions.

The extent to which a test actually measures the quality or skill it is intended to measure, rather than something else.

The application of mechanical principles, such as force, motion, levers and balance, to the study and improvement of human movement in sport.

A rigid bar that turns about a fixed point to transmit force; in the body, bones act as bars, joints as pivots and muscles as the applied force.

The point at which the body's weight is considered to act; keeping it over the base of support helps maintain balance.

An object or body thrown or released into the air, whose path is shaped by release angle, speed, height and air resistance.

The planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling of resources, events and organisations within sport to achieve defined goals.

An organised competition among several teams or players, arranged as a knockout, league or combination format to decide a winner.

Outdoor activities that involve risk, challenge and natural environments, such as trekking, rock climbing, rafting, paragliding and mountaineering.

The precautions that reduce risk in outdoor activities, including certified equipment, trained guides, fitness preparation, weather checks and emergency planning.

The immediate help given to an injured or ill person before professional medical treatment arrives, aimed at preserving life and preventing worsening.

The ability to influence, guide and inspire a group toward shared goals, shown in sport through decision-making, communication and example.

The cooperative effort of individuals who combine their skills and accept roles to achieve a common aim, supported by trust and communication.