Aerobic - With or in the presence of oxygen (low – to – moderate – intensity exercise).

Anaerobic - Without the presence of oxygen (high – intensity exercise when muscle burn occurs).

Arteries - Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues.

Atherosclerosis - A specific form of arteriosclerosis caused by the accumulation of fatty materials on the inner walls of the arteries, causing them to thicken, harden, and lose elasticity.

Blood pressure - The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries measured in millimeters of mercury.

Calorie - The amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree C.

Carbohydrate - An essential nutrient that is the body's main source of energy. 1 gram = 4 calories

Cellulite – A nonmedical term often used to describe subcutaneous fat (fat beneath the skin).

Cholesterol - A fatty substance found in the blood, body tissues and in animal products, essential for the body in the production of hormones. Its accumulation in the arteries leads to atherosclerosis.

Concentric contraction – A contraction in which a muscle exerts force, shortens, and overcomes resistance.

Diastolic blood pressure – The pressure exerted by the blood on the blood vessel walls when the heart relaxes between contractions.

Energy - The potential to do work and activity, measured in calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Eccentric contraction – A contraction in which a muscle exerts force, lengthens, and is overcome by a resistance.

Fat - An essential nutrient that provides energy, energy storage, and insulation to the body. 1 gram = 9 calories.

Fatty acid – The building blocks of fats. An important nutrient for the production of energy during prolonged low-intensity exercise.

Glucose – A simple sugar; the form in which all carbohydrates are used as the body’s main source of energy.

Glycogen – The storage form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.

High-density lipoprotein – A lipoprotein that contains more protein than cholesterol. Labeled as good cholesterol because it removes excess cholesterol from the body.

Lactic acid – A waste product of anaerobic energy production which is known to cause muscle burn during exercise.

Lean body mass – Bodyweight without body fat; composed primarily of muscle, bone, and other nonfat tissue.

Lipoprotein – The transport vehicle that carries fat throughout the body. Made up of protein, fat, and cholesterol.

Low-density lipoprotein – A lipoprotein that contains more cholesterol than protein. Labeled as bad cholesterol because it deposits cholesterol on the walls of arteries.

Metabolism – The chemical and physiological processes in the body that provide energy for the maintenance of life.

Protein – An essential nutrient made up of 22 amino acids. Builds and repairs body tissues. 1 gram = 4 calories.

Repetition – One full movement which includes complete muscle contraction (concentric) to full extension (eccentric).

Set – The completion of a total number of repetitions.

Spotter – A training partner or a person who gives assistance to an unsuccessful lifting attempt, which normally occurs when lifting a weight continuously until momentary muscle failure occurs. Provides the exerciser to train in a safe and effective manner.

Static stretch – A low-force, long duration stretch that holds the desired muscle at the greatest possible length for 20 to 30 seconds.

Systolic blood pressure – The pressure exerted by the blood on the blood vessel walls during ventricular contractions (pumping of the heart).

Veins – Blood vessels that carry blood–usually deoxygenated–to the heart.

Ventricle – One of the two (left and right) lower chambers of the heart. The muscular left ventricle pumps blood to the body; the smaller right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs.

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