MATSEC SEC Physical Education key terms

The muscle that contracts to produce a specific movement, often called the prime mover. For example, the biceps brachii is the agonist during elbow flexion.

The muscle that opposes the agonist by relaxing and lengthening to allow smooth, controlled movement at a joint. In elbow flexion, the triceps brachii acts as the antagonist.

A freely movable joint where two bones meet inside a fluid-filled capsule. Cartilage covers the bone ends, and synovial fluid lubricates the joint, allowing movements such as flexion and rotation.

Muscle fibres suited to prolonged, low-intensity activity. They contain many mitochondria and myoglobin, resist fatigue well and support aerobic endurance in events such as distance running.

Muscle fibres that contract quickly and generate high force but fatigue fast. They rely mainly on anaerobic energy and support sprinting, jumping and other explosive actions.

The volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume. It rises during exercise to deliver more oxygen to working muscles.

The maximum amount of oxygen a person can take up and use per minute during intense exercise. Often expressed in millilitres per kilogram per minute, it is a key indicator of aerobic fitness.

The exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate faster than it can be cleared. Training at or near this point improves the ability to sustain high-intensity effort.

Gradually increasing the demands placed on the body during training, through more weight, repetitions, distance or intensity, so that fitness continues to improve without causing injury.

The principle that training must closely match the sport, energy system, muscle groups and movement patterns being developed for the adaptations to transfer into performance.

A framework for planning exercise using four variables: frequency (how often), intensity (how hard), time (how long) and type (what activity). Adjusting these controls the training stimulus.

Organising training into planned cycles, such as macrocycles, mesocycles and microcycles, that vary volume and intensity across a season to peak at key competitions and reduce overtraining risk.

The principle that fitness gains are lost when training stops or is reduced. Detraining happens faster than gains are made, so consistent training is needed to maintain adaptations.

A range of heart rates, usually expressed as a percentage of maximum heart rate, that indicates the intensity needed to develop aerobic fitness. It helps performers monitor and control effort.

Alternating bouts of higher-intensity work with recovery periods of rest or low-intensity activity. It develops aerobic and anaerobic fitness and can be tailored to a sport's demands.

The storage form of carbohydrate found mainly in the liver and skeletal muscle. It is broken down to glucose to fuel muscle contraction, especially during moderate and high-intensity exercise.

A strategy that increases muscle glycogen stores before endurance competition by tapering training and eating a high-carbohydrate diet in the days beforehand.

The relationship between energy taken in through food and drink and energy used by the body. A positive balance leads to weight gain; a negative balance leads to weight loss.

The energy the body uses at complete rest to maintain basic functions such as breathing, circulation and temperature control. It accounts for a large share of daily energy expenditure.

The loss of body water that occurs when fluid intake is less than fluid lost through sweat, urine and breathing. It raises heart rate, reduces performance and can impair concentration.

A skill performed in an unpredictable environment where the performer must adapt movement to changing conditions, such as returning a serve in tennis or dodging an opponent.

A skill performed in a stable, predictable environment where the movement follows a set pattern, such as a free throw in basketball or a gymnastics routine.

Information about performance that the performer senses directly through sight, hearing, touch or body awareness, without any external source providing the information.

The effect that learning one skill has on learning or performing another. It can be positive, negative or neutral depending on how similar the skills and contexts are.

A model suggesting that performance improves as arousal increases up to an optimal point, then declines if arousal becomes too high.

A person's belief in their own ability to succeed at a specific task. High self-efficacy supports persistence, effort and coping with pressure in sport.

The point where the body's weight is evenly balanced in all directions. Its position relative to the base of support affects stability and balance during movement.

A rigid bar that rotates around a pivot when a force is applied. In the body, bones act as levers and joints as pivots, with muscles supplying the force.

A turning or rotational force created when a force acts at a distance from a pivot. In the body, muscles produce torque about joints to create movement.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. A sprinter pushes backwards on the ground, and the ground pushes the sprinter forwards.

The curved path followed by an object or body thrown, hit or launched into the air. Its shape depends on gravity, air resistance and the launch angle, speed and height.

The process by which sport becomes a business driven by money, media rights, sponsorship and merchandise. It brings funding and exposure but can prioritise profit over tradition or fairness.

The use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances or methods by athletes. It is banned by anti-doping agencies because it harms health and undermines fair competition.

A first-aid approach to soft-tissue injury: rest, ice, compression and elevation. It aims to limit swelling, reduce pain and protect the injured area in the early stages.

A temporary brain injury caused by a blow or sudden movement of the head. Symptoms include headache, confusion and dizziness, and the player must be removed from play and assessed.

Damage to tissue caused by repeated stress without enough recovery, such as tendinitis or stress fractures. It develops gradually and is linked to high training loads and poor technique.

A preparatory period of light activity and mobility work before training or competition. It raises body temperature, increases blood flow and helps prepare muscles and joints for the demands ahead.

The systematic observation and recording of performance to identify strengths and weaknesses. It uses data such as video, statistics and observation schedules to guide feedback and improvement.