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abduction  A movement of a body part away from the midline of the body.
accident  An act that occurs by chance or without intention.
acute injury  An injury with sudden onset and short duration.
ad libitum  In the amount desired.
adduction  A movement of a body part toward the midline of the body.
agonist muscles  Muscles directly engaged in contraction as related to muscles that relax at the same time.
ambulation  Move or walk from place to place.
amenorrhea  Absence or suppression of menstruation.
amnesia  Loss of memory.
analgesia  Pain inhibition.
anaphylaxis  An immediate transient allergic reaction resulting in swelling of tissues and dilation of capillaries.
anemia  Lack of iron.
anesthesia  Partial or complete loss of sensation.
angioedema  A well-defined area of swelling occurring as a result of an allergic response.
anorexia  Lack or loss of appetite; aversion to food.
anorexia nervosa  Eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image.
anoxia  Lack of oxygen.
antagonist muscles  Muscles that counteract the action of the agonist muscles.
anterior  Before or in front of.
anterior cruciate ligament  Stops external rotation.
anxiety  A feeling of uncertainty or apprehension.
apophysis  A bone outgrowth to which muscles attach.
arrhythmia  Irregular movement.
arthroscopic examination  Viewing the inside of a joint via the arthroscope, which utilizes a small camera lens.
articulation  A joint.
assumption of risk  The individual, through expressed or implied agreement, assumes some risk or danger will be involved in a particular undertaking.
asymmetries (body)  A lack of symmetry of sides of the body.
ATC  An athletic trainer certified by the Board of Certification.
atrophy  Wasting away of tissue or of an organ; diminution of the size of a body part.
avascular necrosis  Death of tissue resulting from a lack of blood supply.
avulsion  A tearing away.
axial loading  A blow to the top of the athlete's head while in flexion.
axilla  Armpit.
ballistic stretching  Older stretching technique that uses repetitive bouncing motions.
bandage  A strip of cloth or other material used to hold a dressing in place.
bilateral  Pertaining to both sides.
biomechanics  Branch of study that applies the laws of mechanics to living organisms and biological tissues.
body composition  Percent body fat plus lean body weight.
boil (furuncle)  A staph infection originating in a hair follicle.
bulimia  Binge-purge eating disorder.
bursae  Pieces of synovial membrane that contain a small amount of fluid.
bursitis  Inflammation of a bursa, especially those bursae located between bony prominences and a muscle or tendon, such as those of the shoulder or knee.
calcific tendinitis  Deposition of calcium in a chronically inflamed tendon, especially the tendons of the shoulder.
calisthenic  Exercise involving free movement without the aid of equipment.
callus  New bone formation over a fracture.
calorie (large)  Amount of heat required to raise 1 kg of water 1ºC (33.8ºF); term used to express the fuel, or energy, value of food or the heat output of the organism; the amount of heat required to heat 1 lb of water to 4ºF (— 15.5ºC).
catastrophic injury  A permanent injury to the spinal cord that leaves the athlete quadriplegic or paraplegic.
cauterization  A purposeful destruction of tissue.
chondromalacia  A degeneration of a joint's articular surface, leading to softening.
chronic injury  An injury with long onset and long duration.
circuit training  Exercise stations that consist of various combinations of weight training, flexibility, calisthenics, and aerobic exercises.
circumduct  Act of moving a limb such as the arm or hip in a circular motion.
closed fracture  Fracture that does not penetrate superficial tissue.
collision sport  Sport in which athletes use their bodies to deter or punish opponents.
commission (legal liability)  Performing an act outside of an individual's legal jurisdiction.
communicable disease  A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another.
concentric (positive) contraction  The muscle shortens while contracting against resistance.
conduction  Heating by direct contact with a hot medium.
conjunctivae  Mucous membrane that lines the eyes.
contact sport  Athletes make physical contact, but not with the intent to produce bodily injury.
contrecoup brain injury  Condition in which after head is struck, brain continues to move within the skull and becomes injured opposite the force.
convection  Heating indirectly through another medium such as air or liquid.
conversion  Heating by other forms of energy (e.g., electricity).
convulsions  Paroxysms of involuntary muscular contractions and relaxations.
core temperature  Internal, or deep body, temperature monitored by cells in the hypothalamus, as opposed to shell, or peripheral, temperature, which is registered by the layer of insulation provided by the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and superficial portions of the muscle masses.
corticosteroid  A steroid produced by the adrenal cortex.
coryza  Profuse nasal discharge.
crepitus  A crackling feel or sound.
cryotherapy  Cold therapy.
cyanosis  Slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark purple discoloration of the skin due to a reduced amount of blood hemoglobin.
debride  Removal of dirt and dead tissue from a wound.
degeneration  Deterioration of tissue.
diaphragm  A musculomembranous wall separating the abdomen from the thoracic cavity.
diastolic blood pressure  The residual pressure when the heart is between beats.
diplopia  Seeing double.
dislocation  A bone is forced out and stays out until surgically or manually replaced or reduced.
distal  Farthest away from a point of reference.
doping  The administration of a drug that is designed to improve the competitor's performance.
dorsiflexion  Bending toward the dorsum or rear, opposite of plantar flexion.
dorsum  The back of a body part.
dressing  A material, such as gauze, applied to a wound.
duration  Length of time that an athlete works during a bout of exercise.
duty of care  A requirement that a person act toward others and the public with watchfulness, attention, caution and prudence that a reasonable person in the circumstances would. If a person's actions do not meet this standard of care, then the acts are considered negligent, and any damages resulting may be claimed in a lawsuit for negligence.
dysmenorrhea  Painful or difficult menstruation.
dyspepsia  Imperfect digestion.
eccentric (negative) contraction  The muscle lengthens while contracting against resistance.
ecchymosis  Black and blue skin discoloration due to hemorrhage.
ectopic  Located in a place different from normal.
ectopic bone formation  Bone formation occurring in an abnormal place.
edema  Swelling as a result of the collection of fluid in connective tissue.
electrolyte  Solution that is a conductor of electricity.
electrotherapy  Treating disease by electrical devices.
endurance  The ability of the body to undergo prolonged activity.
epilepsy  Recurrent paroxysmal disorder characterized by sudden attacks of altered consciousness, motor activity, and sensory perception.
epiphysis  The cartilagenous growth region of a bone.
epistaxis  Nosebleed.
etiology  Pertaining to the cause of a condition.
eversion of the foot  To turn the foot outward.
exostoses  Benign bony outgrowths that protrude from the surface of a bone and are usually capped by cartilage; callus formations.
fascia  Fibrous membrane that covers, supports, and separates muscles.
fasciitis  Fascia inflammation.
fibroblast  Any cell component from which fibers are developed.
fibrocartilage  A type of cartilage in which the matrix contains thick bundles of collagenous fibers (e.g., intervertebral disks).
fibrosis  Development of excessive fibrous connective tissue; fibroid degeneration.
flash-to-bang method  Provides an estimation of how far away lightning is occurring.
folliculitis  Inflammation of hair follicles.
foot pronation  Combined foot movements of eversion and abduction.
foot supination  Combined foot movements of inversion and abduction.
frequency  Number of times per week that an athlete exercises.
Functional strength  A type of strength training that involves exercises the increase both strength and neuromuscular control.
functional strength training  A type of strength training that uses concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions in three planes simultaneously.
genitourinary  Pertaining to the reproductive and urinary organs.
glycemic index (GI)  A scale that indicates the how much different types of carbohydrate effects blood glucose levels.
glycogen supercompensation  High carbohydrate diet.
Good Samaritan law  Provides limited protection to someone who voluntarily chooses to provide first aid.
hemarthrosis  Blood in a joint cavity.
hematoma  Blood tumor.
hematuria  Blood in the urine.
hemoglobin  Molecules that carry oxygen in the blood.
hemorrhage  Discharge of blood.
hemothorax  Bloody fluid in the pleural cavity.
hirsutism  Excessive hair growth and/or the presence of hair in unusual places.
hyperextension  Extreme stretching out of a body part.
hypermobility  Mobility of a joint that is extreme.
hypertension  High blood pressure; abnormally high tension.
hyperthermia  Increased body temperature.
hypertrophy  Enlargement of a part caused by an increase in the size of its cells.
hyperventilation  Abnormally deep breathing that is prolonged, causing a depletion of carbon dioxide, a fall in blood pressure, and fainting.
hypothermia  Decreased body temperature.
hypoxia  Lack of an adequate amount of oxygen.
idiopathic  Of unknown cause.
iliotibial band friction syndrome  Runner's knee.
impetigo  A bacterial strep infection.
injury  An act that damages or hurts.
intensity  Increasing the work-load.
interosseous membrane  Connective tissue membrane between bones.
interval training  Alternating periods of work with active recovery.
intervertebral  Between two vertebrae.
intramuscular hematoma  Bleeding within a muscle.
intraoral mouth guard  A protective device that fits within the mouth and covers the teeth.
intravenous  Substances administered to a patient via a vein.
inversion of the foot  To turn the foot inward. Inner border of the foot lifts.
ions  Electrically charged atoms.
ipsilateral  Situated on the same side.
ischemia  Local anemia.
isokinetic exercise  Resistance is given at a fixed velocity of movement with accommodating resistance.
isokinetic muscle resistance  Accommodating and variable resistance.
isometric exercise  Contracts the muscle statically without changing its length.
isometric muscle contraction  Muscle contracts statically without a change in its length.
isotonic exercise  Form of exercise that shortens and lengthens the muscle through a complete range of motion.
isotonic muscle contraction  Shortens and lengthens the muscle through a complete range of motion.
joint  Point at which two bones join together.
joint capsule  Saclike structure that encloses the ends of bones in a diarthrodial joint.
keloid  An overgrowth of collagenous scar tissue at the site of a wound of the skin.
kyphosis  Exaggeration of the normal thoracic spine.
lactase deficiency  Difficulty digesting dairy products.
lateral  Pertaining to point of reference away from the midline of the body.
liability  Legal responsibility for the harm one causes to another person.
lordosis  Abnormal lumbar vertebral convexity.
luxation  Total dislocation.
macerated skin  Skin softened by soaking.
malaise  Discomfort and uneasiness caused by an illness.
malfeasance or an act of commission  Where an individual commits an act that is not legally theirs to perform.
managed care  Costs of health care are monitored closely by insurance carriers.
mechanoreceptors  Located in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints; provide information on position of a joint.
medial  Pertaining to point of reference closest to the midline of the body.
medical insurance  A contract between the insurance company and policy holder.
menarche  Onset of menses.
meninges  Any one of the three membranes that enclose the brain and the spinal cord, comprising the dura mater, the pia mater, and the arachnoid.
menorrhagia  Abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods.
metabolites  Products left after metabolism has taken place.
metatarsalgia  Pain in the metatarsal.
metatarsophalangeal joint  Joint at which the phalanges meet the metatarsal bones.
misfeasance  When an individual improperly does something he or she has the legal right to do.
mononucleosis (infectious)  A disease, usually of young adults, causing fever, sore throat, and lymph gland swelling.
muscle  Tissue that when stimulated contracts and produces motion.
muscle contracture  Abnormal shortening of muscle tissue in which there is a great deal of resistance to passive stretch.
muscle cramps  Involuntary muscle contractions.
muscle guarding  Muscle contraction in response to pain.
muscular endurance  The ability to perform repetitive muscular contractions against some resistance.
muscular strength  The maximum force that can be applied by a muscle during a single maximum contraction.
musculoskeletal  Pertaining to muscles and the skeleton.
myositis  Inflammation of muscle.
myositis ossificans  Calcium deposits that result from repeated trauma.
necrosis  Death of tissue.
negative resistance  Slow eccentric muscle contraction against resistance with muscle lengthening.
negligence  The failure to use ordinary or reasonable care.
neuritis  Chronic nerve irritation.
neuroma  Enlargement of a nerve.
NOCSAE  National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment.
noncontact sport  Athletes are not involved in any physical contact.
nonfeasance or an act of omission  Where an individual fails to perform a legal duty.
nystagmus  A constant involuntary back and forth, up and down, or rotary movement of the eyeball.
occlusion  Alignment of the teeth; malocclusion means that the upper and lower teeth do not line up.
omission (legal)  Person fails to perform a legal duty.
open fracture  Overlying skin has been lacerated by protruding bone fragments.
orthosis  Used in sports as an appliance or apparatus to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve function of a movable body part.
orthotic  A custom-designed insert that can be placed in the shoe and worn to correct a variety of biomechanical abnormalities that can potentially lead to injury.
osteoarthritis  A wearing down of hyaline cartilage.
osteoblasts  Bone-forming cells.
osteochondritis  Inflammation of bone and cartilage.
osteochondritis dissecans  Fragment of cartilage and underlying bone is detached from the articular surface.
osteoclasts  Cells that absorb and remove osseous tissue.
osteoporosis  A decrease in bone density.
palpate  To use the hands or fingers to examine.
palpation  Feeling an injury with the fingers.
papule  Pimple.
paraplegia  Paralysis of lower portion of the body and of both legs.
paresthesia  Abnormal sensation such as numbness, prickling, and tingling.
patellar tendinosis  Jumper's knee.
pathology  Study of the nature and cause of disease.
pediatrician  A specialist in the treatment of children's diseases.
periodization  Varying training techniques during different seasons.
periosteum  The fibrous covering of a bone.
pes planus  Flat feet.
phalanges  Bones of the fingers and toes.
phalanx  Any one of the bones of the fingers and toes.
photophobia  An intense intolerance of light.
plantarflexion  The forepart of the foot is depressed relative to the ankle.
plica  A fold of tissue within the body.
plyometric exercise  Uses a quick eccentric stretch of the muscle to facilitate a concentric contraction.
pneumothorax  A collapse of a lung due to air in the pleural cavity.
point tenderness  Pain is produced when the site of injury is palpated.
positive resistance  Slow concentric muscle contraction against resistance with muscle shortening.
posterior  Toward the rear or back.
posterior cruciate ligament  A ligament that stops internal rotation.
posttraumatic amnesia  Inability of athlete to recall events since injury.
power  Ability to accelerate a load, depending on the level of strength and velocity of a muscle contraction.
primary assessment  Initial first-aid evaluation.
prophylactic  Pertaining to prevention, preservation, or protection.
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)  Stretching techniques that involve combinations of alternating contractions and stretches.
proprioceptors  Organs within the body that provide the athlete with an awareness of where the body is in space (kinesthesis).
proximal  Nearest to the point of reference.
psychogenic  Of psychic origin; that which originates in the mind.
psychophysiological  Involving the mind and the body.
pump bump  Another term for retrocalcaneal bursitis.
quadriplegia  Paralysis affecting all four limbs.
referred pain  Pain that is felt at a point of the body other than its actual origin.
regeneration  Repair, regrowth, or restoration of a part such as tissue.
residual  That which remains; often used to describe a permanent condition resulting from injury or disease (e.g., a limp or a paralysis).
retrograde amnesia  Memory loss for events occurring immediately before trauma.
revascularize  Restoration of blood circulation to an injured area.
rhinitis  Inflammation of the nasal mucus lining.
RICE  Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
rotation  Turning around an axis in an angular motion.
SAID principle  Specific adaptations to imposed demands.
sciatica  Inflammatory condition of the sciatic nerve; commonly associated with peripheral nerve root compression.
sclera  White outer coating of the eye.
scoliosis  A lateral deviation curve of the spine.
secondary assessment  Follow up; a more detailed examination.
seizure  Sudden attack.
Sever's disease  An inflammation of the apophysis of the calcaneous.
shin splints  Medial tibial stress syndrome; anterior lower leg pain.
sign  Objective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body.
sling psychrometer  Instrument for establishing the wet-bulb, globe temperature index.
spasm  A sudden, involuntary muscle contraction.
spica  A figure-eight, with one of the two loops being larger.
spondylolisthesis  Forward slipping of a vertebral body, usually a lumbar vertebra.
spondylolysis  A degeneration of the vertebrae and a defect in the pars intermedia of the articular processes of the vertebrae.
sprain  Injury to a ligament that connects bone to bone.
staleness  Deterioration in the usual standard of performance.
standard of reasonable care  Assumes that an individual is a person of reasonable and ordinary prudence.
staphylococcus  A genus of micrococci, some of which are pathogenic, causing pus and tissue destruction.
static stretching  Passively stretching an antagonist muscle by placing it in a maximal stretch position and holding it there.
statute of limitation  A specific length of time to sue for damages from negligence.
strain  A stretch tear, or rip in the muscle or its tendon.
strength  Ability of a muscular contraction to exert force to move an object (dynamic) or to perform work against a fixed object (static).
streptococcus  Oval bacteria that appear in a chain.
stress  The positive and negative forces that can disrupt the body's equilibrium.
stress fracture  Spot of irritation on the bone.
stressor  Anything that affects the body's physiological or psychological condition.
stroke volume  The heart's capacity to pump blood.
subcutaneous  Beneath the skin.
subluxation  A bone is forced out but goes back into place.
symptom  Subjective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body.
syndrome  Group of typical symptoms or conditions that characterize an injury, a deficiency, or a disease.
synovia  A transparent lubricating fluid found in joints, bursae, and tendons.
synovitis  Inflammation of a synovial membrane.
systolic blood pressure  The pressure caused by the heart's pumping.
tendinitis  Inflammation of the tendon.
tendon  Tough band of connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
tenosynovitis  Inflammation of a tendon and its synovial sheath.
tinea  Ringworm; skin fungus disease.
tonic muscle spasm  Rigid muscle contraction that lasts over a period of time.
tonus (muscle)  Residual state of muscle contraction.
torque  A twisting force produced by contraction of the medial femoral muscles that tends to rotate the thigh medially.
torsional  Rotating or twisting of a body part.
tort  Legal wrong committed against another.
training effect  Stroke volume increases while heart rate is reduced at a given exercise load.
transitory paralysis  Temporary inability to move.
traumatic  Pertaining to the course of an injury or wound.
traumatic arthritis  Arthritis stemming from repeated joint injury.
traumatic asphyxia  Result of a violent blow to, or compression of, the rib cage, causing cessation of breathing.
trigger point  Area of tenderness in a tight band of muscle.
urticaria  Sudden vascular reaction of skin resulting in weals or papules and itching.
valgus  Bent outward.
variable resistance  Resistance is varied throughout the range of motion.
varus  Bent inward.
vasoconstriction  Decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel.
vasodilation  Increase in the diameter of a blood vessel.
verruca  Virus causing a wart.
viscera  Internal organs.
volar  Referring to the palm or the sole.
water ad libitum  Unlimited access to water.
xiphoid process  Smallest of three parts of the sternum.







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