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Definitions
Accelerometers: small motion sensor devices, usually strapped to the waist of an individual, that allow measurement of physical activity.
Aerobic power: sometimes called VO2max: the maximum rate at which the body can
take in, transport and use oxygen. It is the best measure of aerobic fitness.
Atherosclerosis: the process whereby arteries become narrowed and hardened due
to deposition of fatty material on the inside walls. When this occurs in the arteries
supplying the heart muscle, this is referred to a coronary heart disease.
Athletic performance physical fitness: that portion of physical fitness directed towards optimizing performance in a certain sport.
Barriers: actual or perceived obstacles (eg. towards adopting a physically active
lifestyle).
Body mass index (BMI): a simple measure used in population (epidemiological)
studies to ascertain levels of overweight and obesity. Defined as weight (kg) / height
(m2).
Borg Scale: a numbered scale with written verbal descriptors from 6 (“no exertion at
all”) to 20 (“maximal exertion”). It is a valid measure of exercise intensity.
Calisthenics: Exercises performed without weights or other equipment, often using
one’s own body weight, that are intended to increase body strength and/or flexibility.
Cardiovascular activities: also called cardiorespiratory or aerobic activities. Prolonged activities that require the body to increase heart rate and breathing rate to
supply the working muscles with oxygen.
Child: young human being below the age of puberty.
Endothelial dysfunction: is an abnormality in the functioning of the cells (endothelial
cells) that line the inner walls of blood vessels. This has been linked with atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.
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Epidemiology: the study of the patterns, causes and control of disease in groups of
people.
Exercise: A type of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive body
movement done to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness.
FITT principle: frequency, intensity, time and type of physical activity. Components
that are manipulated to vary the dose (or amount) of physical activity.
Flexibility: the ability of joints to move through a full range of motion. Related to the
type of joint(s) and the elasticity of the muscles and connective tissue surrounding
the joint(s).
Frequency: the amount of times that one engages in physical activity (often expressed as number of times per week).
HDL: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol within the bloodstream. Often referred to as
“good” cholesterol because it exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular disease.
Health: a reflection of one’s overall physical, mental and social well-being, and not
simply an absence of disease.
Health-related physical fitness: those components of physical fitness associated
with some aspect of good health.
Heart rate: the number of beats per minute (bpm) of the heart, normally measured
manually at the wrist or neck or by devices such as a heart rate monitor.
Heart rate reserve: the difference between resting heart rate and maximal heart rate.
Used in the Karvonen method to calculate target heart rate ranges for physical activity.
Hepatic: related to the liver.
Hypertension: high blood pressure that imposes chronic strain on the cardiovascular
system.
Insulin: a hormone produced by the pancreas that is responsible for regulating blood
sugar levels.
Insulin resistance: a condition whereby body tissues fail to respond normally to insulin within the bloodstream resulting in high blood sugar. A feature of adult-onset
(Type 2) diabetes.
Intensity: how strenuous is the physical activity. Often described as light, moderate or
vigorous. May also be expressed in the form of heart rate, as a rating of perceived
exertion or as a MET level, amongst other methods.
LDL: low density lipoprotein cholesterol within the bloodstream. Often referred to as
“bad” cholesterol because it may promote deposition of fatty material onto the walls
of arteries (atherosclerosis) – the first stages of cardiovascular disease.
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Maximal heart rate: the maximum beats per minute of a person’s heart. This value
typically decreases as a person ages. Can be assessed directly by means of an incremental exercise test to maximum exertion, or estimated indirectly through the
use of the equation 220 – age (in years).
Metabolic Equivalents (METs): A measure of energy expenditure equivalent to 1.2
kcal/kg/hr. Resting energy expenditure is considered 1 MET. Therefore, a 3 MET
activity would require energy expenditure at a level equal to three times resting.
Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA): Physical activity performed at an
intensity level equal to or greater than 3 METS; roughly equivalent to brisk walking.
Muscular endurance: the capacity of a muscle to maintain its tension or its contractions for a prolonged period of time.
Muscular strength: the capacity of a muscle to generate force.
NAOS initiative: Spain’s Strategy for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Prevention of
Obesity, launched in 2005.
Obesity: an excess of body fat that increases health risks. In epidemiological studies,
defined as a BMI over 30 kg/m2.
Obesogenic: obesity promoting (as in “an obesogenic environment”).
Orthopaedic: related to the bones.
Overload: the load or amount of resistance for an exercise, providing a greater stress,
or load, on the body than it is normally accustomed to in order to increase fitness.
Overweight: the precursor to obesity. Defined as a BMI of between 25 and 30 kg/m2.
Pedometers: small devices that measure steps taken.
Physical Activity: Bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle contraction that results in energy expenditure.
Physical Fitness: A set of attributes that persons have or achieve that relates to the
ability to perform physical activity. Health-related components of fitness include
body composition, cardio-respiratory endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength/
endurance.
Progression: is the way in which overload is increased to stimulate continuous increases in fitness. It should be a gradual increase in either frequency, intensity or
time, or a combination of all three components.
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE): the number or descriptor given when an individual uses a Borg scale to ascertain exercise intensity.
Talk test: a simple test of exercise intensity that rates the ease with which a person
can talk while exercising.
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Triglycerides: the major storage form in fat cells. They can also be found in the bloodstream.
Vigorous Physical Activity (VPA): Physical activity performed at an intensity level of
6 METS or greater; roughly equivalent to jogging.
Young People: Collective term for both children and youth.
Youth: Period between childhood and adult age; adolescent.
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