| ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE (ATP) |
A chemical compound that breaks down to release the energy responsible for muscle contraction. |
| AEROBIC |
Energy created with oxygen, or in the presence of oxygen. |
| AEROBIC STEADY STATE |
A level of metabolism when the oxygen consumption satisfies the energy expenditure and the heart rate required foroxygen transport stabilizes. |
| ANAEROBIC |
Energy created without oxygen, or in the absence of oxygen. |
| ANAEROBIC GLYCOLYSIS |
The breakdown of carbohydrate (sugar) in the absence of oxygen; one of the major methods of producing energy in muscle fibers. |
| CARBOHYDRATE |
A group of compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; comprising all the sugars (glucose, glycogen, starch, fiber, cellulose, and saccharides). |
| CREATINE PHOSPHATE |
A molecule in muscle fibers that breaks down to liberate energy for the construction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). |
| ENZYME |
A protein that promotes the chemical processes occurring in living tissue without itself being altered or destroyed. |
| FAT |
Triglycerides; a combination, or ester of three fatty acids and glycerol. |
| FATTY ACID |
One of the building blocks of fats; used as fuel for muscle contraction. |
| GLUCOSE |
The most common sugar and the main fuel for musclec ontraction. |
| GLUCOSE SPARING |
The preference of muscle fibers for fatty acids as fuel rather than glycogen or glucose. |
| GLYCOGEN |
A carbohydrate of several glucose molecules; the main formof glucose storage in the body. |
| INTENSITY |
The relative heart rate, speed, or level of exertion expressed as a percentage of the maximum allowable. |
| LACTIC ACID |
A product of glucose and glycogen metabolism, which insufficient concentration causes fatigue. |
| METABOLISM |
The sum total of all physical and chemical processes occuring in the body. |
| MITOCHONDRIA |
One of the many small sacs inside the muscle fibers containing enzymes that help convert food to energy. |
| NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM |
The total biological interaction necessary to transmit an electrical impulse from the brain to another part of thebody and then return a feedback responce to the brain. |
| POWER-STRENGTH |
The amount of work accomplished by a muscle relative to the duration of the effort (work divided by time). |
| PYRUVIC ACID |
The chemical precursor of lactic acid. |
IMPORTANT BIOFITNESS WORD DEFINITIONS