Important Concepts Flashcards
BMI
< 18.5 = underweight
18.5 - 24.9 = healthy weight
25-29.9 = overweight
30-34.9 = obese
35-39.9 = obese II
> 40 = obese III
Blood Pressure
Normal (healthy): less than 120/80 mm Hg
Elevated: Systolic between 120 and 129 and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg
Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic between 130 and 139 or diastolic between 80 and 89 mm Hg
Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher
Hypertensive crisis: Systolic greater than 180 and/or diastolic greater than 120 mm Hg
LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as “bad cholesterol” tends to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. LDLs, specifically, are the form of cholesterol that makes up the plaque that clogs arteries. Ideally, LDL levels should be less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
HDL cholesterol
Sometimes referred to as “good cholesterol.” It does not have the tendency to clog arteries like LDL cholesterol does and, in fact, actually helps remove some LDL cholesterol from the body. To help reduce the risk of heart disease, in conjunction with lowering LDL level below 100 mg/dL, HDL levels should typically be kept around 60 mg/dL.
Type 1 Diabetes
With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (or none at all), which is a hormone that helps transport glucose into cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, glucose in the blood (i.e., blood sugar) can rise to dangerous levels, causing numerous health complications. Type 1 diabetes is typically genetic and not something a person can actively prevent. However, regular exercise can help people with type 1 diabetes considerably improve their blood glucose management and quality of life.
Type 2 diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin; however, it is not used properly by the cells. When excess carbohydrates (specifically sugar) are chronically consumed in the diet, high levels of insulin need to be produced to help regulate blood sugar. When excess insulin continually tries to deliver glucose cells when they already have more than they can use, cells stop responding to it. This state is called insulin resistance. Once cells have become insulin resistant, a person is said to have developed type 2 diabetes. Regulating blood sugar can become very difficult for these individuals, which may lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and a wide variety of health complications.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths: identify the strengths and competitive advantages including education, skills, abilities, or work experience with a specific population. Examples of strengths might be education, certifications earned; the name or location of employer, which itself may have a strong brand identity; or experience working with a particular type of client. The strengths can ultimately help identify the professional traits to develop a brand identity.
Weaknesses: Identify any and all weaknesses; be honest and thorough, the more honestly a fitness professional can assess their weakness, the more opportunities for growth can be identified.
Opportunities: Identify the opportunities for developing new professional skills or expanding into new business opportunities, such as being able to coach group workout programs. Weaknesses can be turned into opportunities; for example, the lack of education in a specific area of exercise science is actually an opportunity to take a continuing education workshop to gain the necessary knowledge to work with a specific type of client.
Threats: Identify all of the threats that might impact a fitness professional’s business. Examples of threats are the general economic climate, the number of other fitness professionals working in a health club, or competitors who plan on growing or expanding into the marketplace. In some cases, threats are due to external forces that cannot be controlled (such as an economic recession), which in other cases they can be turned into opportunities for new business.
4 P’s of Marketing
Communicating the benefits of using a product.
Identifying a competitive price of the service.
Determining how the service will be promoted.
Selecting the place or method of distribution.
Continuing Education
A total of 2.0 CEUs is required to renew the NASM-CPT credential every 2 years: 1.9 CEUs from continuing education efforts and 0.1 CEU from renewing a CPR/AED certification.
Examples of extrinsic motivation
social recognition
rewards from competitions (trophy or award)
improvement of physical appearance
Examples of intrinsic motivation for exercise
stress relief
increasing energy
finding new ways to be challenged physically
Examples of outcome goals
Place in top 10 in a 10k race
achieving a certain level of body fat
achieving a certain level of strength improvement
Examples of process goals
Jog for 45 minutes, starting at 6:30 am Monday-Friday to assist with weight loss efforts
Eating 1600 calories per day of mostly whole, unprocessed foods to assist with weight loss efforts
strength training 5 days per week, targeting each muscle group to increase gains in muscle mass.
Self efficacy
One’s belief that they can complete a task, goal or performance; also known as self-confidence.
Self-monitoring
Observing, measuring, and evaluating one’s own behavior, often in the form of a diary or log.
Stages of Change Model
Precontemplation: Client does not exercise is not planning to start exercising within 6 months.
Contemplation: When a person is thinking about implementing change by has not yet taken any steps to get started; an individual may take action within the next 6 months.
Preparation: The client intends to act in the near future, usually within the next month.
Action: The client has made specific modifications in their exercise routine within the past 6 months.
Maintenance: The client has been exercising for more than 6 months and is working to prevent relapse.
Decisional balance
Reflects the clients’ weighing of the pros and cons of changing.
Examples of closed-ended questions
Are you motivated to exercise?
Can you commit to exercising three days per week?
Do you enjoy exercise?
Examples of open-ended questions
How might you go about making this change?
What challenges do you see, and how can you plan to overcome them?
What work are you prepared to do to reach your goal?
What have you tried in the past to reach your fitness goal?
Examples of SMART goals
I will gain 5 pounds of muscle within 5 months, starting today by weightlifting a minimum of 4 days per week for 1 hour each session.
I will reduce my blood pressure by 5 points within 6 months by walking a minimum of 30 minutes each day and reducing my daily salt intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day.
I will lose 10 pounds of body fat within 3 months by reducing my daily calories from 3,000 to 2,000 per day and exercising at a moderate intensity at a minimum of 150 minutes per week.
Examples that are not SMART goals
I will lost weight so I can become the best version of myself.
I will gain 10 pounds of muscle, so I’m ready for beach season.
I will lose 50 pounds in two months, so I looks best for my upcoming class reunion.
Human movement system (HMS)
The collective components and structures that work together to move the body: muscular, skeletal and nervous systems.
Neuron
Specialized cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system.
Three components of a neuron
Neurons are composed of three main parts: cell body, axon, and dendrites.
Central nervous system (CNS)
A division of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Nerves that connect the rest of the body to the central nervous system.
Afferent pathway
Sensory pathway that relays information to the central nervous system.
Efferent pathway
A motor pathway that relays information from the central nervous system to the rest of the body.
Mechanoreceptors
Specialized structures that respond to mechanical forces (touch and pressure) within tissues and then transmit signals through sensory nerves.
Somatic nervous system
Nerves that serve the outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle and are largely responsible for the voluntary control of movement.
Autonomic nervous system
A division of the peripheral nervous system that supplies neural input to organs that run the involuntary processes of the body (e.g. circulating blood, digesting food, producing hormones).
Sympathetic nervous system
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to increase neural activity and put the body in a heightened state.
Parasympathetic nervous system
Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that works to decrease neural activity and put the body in a more relaxed state.
Proprioception
The body’s ability to naturally sense its general orientation and relative position of its parts.
Muscle spindles
Sensory receptors sensitive to change in length of the muscle and rate of that change.
Golgi tendon organ (GTO)
A specialized sensory receptor located at the point where skeletal muscle fibers insert into the tendons of skeletal muscle; sensitive to changes in muscular tension and rate of tension change.
Three stages of motor skill development
During stage 1 (cognitive) you may need to use simple instructions and break down the skill into small steps so your clients will be able to understand the goals fo the movement.
During stage 2 (associative), you may need to help refine your clients’ skills through practice and regular feedback.
During stage 3 (autonomous), you may be able to teach your clients new versions of the skills to further challenge them.
Skeletal system
A description of the bones of the body. In the human skeletal system, there are 206 bones of which approximately 177 are used in voluntary movement.
Axial skeleton
A division of the skeletal system consisting of the skull, the rib cage, and that vertebral column. There are approximately 80 bones in the axial skeleton.
Appendicular skeleton
A division of the skeletal system consisting of the arms, legs, and pelvic girdle. The appendicular skeleton encompasses approximately 126 bones.
Remodeling
The process by which bones is constantly renewed by the resorption and formation of the bone structure.
Osteoclasts
Special cells that break down and remove old bone tissue.
Osteoblasts
Special cells that form and lay down new bone tissue.
Long bone
Long, cylindrical shaft with irregular or widened ends.
Ex. Humerus (upper arm bone)
Femur (thigh bone)
Short bone
Similar in length and width and appear somewhat cubical in shape.
Ex. Carpals of the wrist
Tarsals of the ankle
Flat bone
Thin, protective surfaces that provide broad surfaces for muscles to attach
Ex. Scapulae (shoulder blades), Sternum (breast plate), and ribs
Irregular bone
Unique shape and function from all other bone types
Ex. vertebrae (spinal column)
Sesamoid
Small, often round bones embedded in a joint capsule or found in locations where a tendon passes over a joint
Ex. patella (kneecap)
Depressions
flattened or indented portions of bone
Processes
projections protruding from the bone where tendons and ligaments can attach.
Cervical Spine (C1-C7)
First seven vertebrae starting at the top of the spinal column
Form a flexible framework and provide support and motion for the head.
Thoracic Spine (T1-T12)
Twelve vertebrae located in the upper and middle back behind the ribs
Each vertebra articulates with a rib helping form the rear anchor of the rib cage.
Larger than cervical vertebrae and increase in size from top to bottom.
Lumbar Spine (L1-L5)
Five vertebrae of the low-back below the thoracic spine
Largest segments in the spinal column
Support most of the body’s weight and are attached to many back muscles
Sacrum
Triangular bone located below the lumbar spine
Composed of five vertebrae that fuse together as the body develops into adulthood
Coccyx
Located below the sacrum, more commonly known as the tailbone
Composed of three to five small fused bones
Osteokinematics
Movement of a limb that is visible
Arthrokinematics
The description of joint surface movement; consists of three major types: roll, slide, and spin.
Synovial joints
A joint with fluid-filled joint capsule.
Nonaxial
A gliding joint that moves in only one plane, either back and forth or side to side.
Nonsynovial joints
Joints that have no joint capsule, fibrous connective tissue, or cartilage in the uniting structure.
Three types of muscles
The three types of muscles in the body are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.
Skeletal muscle
The type of muscle tissue that connects to bones and generates the forces that create movement.
Fascia
Connective tissue that surrounds muscles and bones.
Epimysium
Inner layer of fascia that directly surrounds an entire muscle, commonly referred to as the “deep fascia”
Fascicles
Largest bundles of fibers within a muscle. Fascicles are surrounded by perimysium.
Perimysium
Connective tissue surrounding a muscle fascicle.
Endomysium
Connective tissue that wraps around individual muscle fibers within fascicle.
Tendons v. Ligaments
Tendons connect muscles to bones. Commonly discusses tendons include the Achilles tendon at the ankle and the patellar tendon of the knee. When a tendon is overstretched or torn, this is known as a strain.
Ligaments connect bones to bones. A commonly discussed ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee that connects the tibia to the femur. When a ligament is overstretched or torn, it is known as a strain.
Myofibrils
The contractile components of a muscle cell; the myofilaments (actin and myosin) are contained within a myofibril.
Myofilaments
The filaments of a myofibril; include actin and myosin.
Actin
The thin, stringlike, myofilament that acts along with myosin to product muscular contraction.
Myosin
The thick myofilament that acts along with actin to produce muscular contraction.
Sarcomere
The structural unit of a myofibril composed of actin and myosin filaments between to Z-lines.
Motor unit
A motor neuron and all of the muscle fibers that is innervates.
Sliding filament theory
The series of steps in muscle contraction involving how myosin (thick) and actin (thin) filaments slide past one another to produce a muscle contraction, shortening the entire length of the sarcomere.
Type 1 muscle fibers
Muscle fibers that are small in size, generate lower amounts of force, and are more resistant to fatigue.
Type 2 muscle fibers
Muscle fibers that are larger in size, generate higher amounts of force, and are faster to fatigue.
Atrium (atria)
Superior chamber(s) of the heart that gathers blood returning to the heart.
Ventricle
Inferior chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs and body
Blood flow through the heart
Right atrium: received deoxygenated blood returning from the body and sends it to the right ventricle.
Right ventricle: received deoxygenated blood from the right atrium and sends it to the lungs.
Left atrium: receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle.
Left ventricle: receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and sends it to the body.
Resting heart rate
Resting heart rates for most of the population are between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Sinoatrial (SA) node
Located in the right atrium, this note initiates an electrical signal that causes the heart to beat.
Atriventricular (AV) node
Located between the atria and ventricles, this node delays the impulse from the sinoatrial node before allowing it to pass to the ventricles.
Stroke volume
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each contraction.
End-diastolic volume
The filled volume of the ventricle before contraction.
End-systolic volume
The volume of blood remaining in the ventricle after ejection.
Bradycardia
When the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
Tachycardia
When the heart rate is greater than 100 beats per minute.
Cardiac input
The overall performance of the heart (heart rate x stroke volume)
Arteries
Vessels that transport blood away from the heart
Capillaries
The smallest blood vessels and the site of exchange of elements between the blood and the tissues.
Veins
Vessels that transport blood back to the heart.
Arterioles
Small arteries that eventually divide into capillaries.
Venules
Small veins that allow blood to drain from capillaries into the larger veins.
Venous pooling
The accumulation of blood into the extremities due to slow blood flow through the veins (venous return) or backflow
Structures of respiratory pump
Bones:
Sternum (breastbone)
Ribs
Vertebrae
Inspiration Muscles:
Diaphragm
External intercostals (muscles between individual ribs)
Scalenes (side of neck muscles)
Sternocleidomastoid (front of neck muscle)
Pectoralis minor (smaller chest muscle)
Expiration Muscles:
Internal intercostals (muscles between individual ribs)
Abdominals
Valsalva maneuver
A process that involves expiring against a closed windpipe, creating additional intra-abdominal pressure and spinal stability.
Structures of respiratory passages
Conducting airways:
Nasal cavity
Oral cavity
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Right and left pulmonary bronchi
Bronchioles
Respiratory airways
Alveoli
Alveolar sacs
Tachypnea
Respiratory rate that is too fast; greater that 24 breaths per minute.
Bradypnea
Respiratory rate that is too slow; fewer than 8 breaths per minutes.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or labored breathing.
Lipolysis
The breakdown and utilization of fat for energy.
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the pancreas that is responsible for glucose metabolism.
Glucagon
A hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose and functions opposite to insulin.
Glycogen
Glucose that is deposited and stored in bodily tissues, such as the liver and muscle cells; the storage form of carbohydrate.
Growth hormone
An anabolic hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is responsible for growth and development.
Catecholamines
Hormones produced by the adrenal gland that are part of the stress response known as the fight-or-flight response.
Catabolic
Metabolic process that breaks down molecules into smaller units used for energy.
Gluconeogenesis
The formation of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources (proteins and fats).
Testosterone
A hormone producing secondary male sex characteristics.
Anabolic
Metabolic process that synthesizes smaller molecules into larger units used for building and repairing tissues.
Insulin-like growth factors (IGF)
Anabolic hormone produced by the liver, which is responsible for growth and development.
Calcitonin
Thyroid hormone that helps the body use calcium properly to aid with maintaining bone mineral density.
Glucose intolerance
A condition that results in elevated blood glucose levels.
Anatomic locations - medial
relatively close to the midline of the body.
Anatomic locations - lateral
Relatively farther away from the midline or toward the outside of the body.
Anatomic locations - contralateral
Positioned on the opposite side of the body.
Anatomic locations – ipsilateral
Positioned on the same side of the body.
Anatomic locations - anterior
Positioned on or toward the front of the body.
Anatomic locations - posterior
Positioned on or toward the back of the body.
Anatomic locations - proximal
Positioned nearest to the center of the body or other identified reference point.
Anatomic locations - distal
Positioned farthest from the center of the body or other identified reference point.
Anatomic locations - inferior
Positioned below and identified reference point.
Anatomic locations - superior
Positioned above an identified reference point.
Dorsiflexion
Flexion occurring at the ankle (i.e. top of the foot moves toward the shin)