Glossary

daily log—A diary of daily activity or eating patterns.

deep—Anatomical term meaning internal; located further beneath the body surface than the superficial structures.

defibrillation—Stopping of atrial or ventricular fibrillation (rapid, randomized contractions of the myocardium), by the use of drugs or mechanical means, often by electroshock.

dehydration—Condition of having a less than optimal level of body water.

dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)—An androgenic hormone which decreases in level with age.

delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—Muscle soreness that occurs 24 to 48 hours after intense exercise; typically associated with eccentric muscle contractions, and thought to be the result of microscopic tears in muscle or connective tissue.

delts—Slang term referring to the deltoid muscles.

dental caries—Popularly known as cavities, dental caries occur when bacteria in the mouth feed on fermentable carbohydrates and produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel. Various conditions affect this process, such as heredity and the composition and flow of saliva. Any fermentable carbohydrate (starches and sugars) can serve as food for cavity-causing bacteria. The amount of carbohydrate is not as important as how often these foods are eaten and how long they stay in the mouth. Widespread use of fluoride in water supplies and oral health products is credited with the dramatic decline in dental caries among children and adults alike over the past 20 years.

dextrose—A monosaccharide, which is a major part of corn syrup and honey.

diabetes—Diabetes is the name for a group of medical disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels. Normally when people eat, food is digested and much of it is converted to glucose -- a simple sugar -- which the body uses for energy. The blood carries the glucose to cells where it is absorbed with the help of the hormone insulin. For those with diabetes, however, the body does not make enough insulin, or cannot properly use the insulin it does make. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood rather than moving into the cells. High blood sugar levels result.

Diabetes mellitus—A disease of carbohydrate metabolism in which an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin results in an inability to metabolize carbohydrates normally; may require insulin injections; Exercise may influence a diabetic’s need to inject insulin.

diastole—The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle; the resting phase of the heartbeat, during which blood fills the ventricles.

diastolic blood pressure—The amount of pressure maintained in the arteries between heart beats, as the heart relaxes and fills; The National High Blood Pressure Education Program recommends that anyone with a diastolic pressure of 105 or greater should be treated with drug therapy. Persons with readings of 90-104 should be individually treated as needed by a physician.

distal—Anatomical term meaning farthest away from the point of attachment or body’s midline; Example: the foot is distal to the knee.

diuretic—Medication that produces an increase in the volume of urine and sodium (salt) that is excreted; sometimes used to reduce water weight and volume in the body; Use of diuretics by athletes can be very unsafe and is not recommended.

diverticulitis - An inflammation of pouches in the walls of the intestinal tract.

DNA—Deoxyribonucleic acid. This is the molecule that carries the genetic information for most living systems. The DNA molecule consists of four bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) and a sugar-phosphate backbone, arranged in two connected strands to form its characteristic double-helix.

dorsal—The backside.

dorsiflexion—Bending backward of the hand or foot; opposite of plantarflexion.

double-blind, placebo-controlled study—In a double-blind, placebo controlled study, neither the researchers nor the participants in the study are aware of which subjects receive the treatment under study and which subjects receive the placebo until after the study is completed. The study design is intended to remove bias on the part of both researcher and study subject.

DRI— Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is a generic term used to refer to group of reference values designed to reflect the latest understanding about nutrient requirements based on optimizing health in individuals and groups. DRI reference values include: EAR, RDA, AI, and UL.

DRV— The second set of numbers you find on the food label are for nutrients and food components that traditionally do not have an RDA, such as fat and fiber, but that do have an important relationship with health. These values are referred to as Daily Reference Values (DRVs).

dumbbell—Free-weight used for exercising, consisting of rigid handle about 14" long, sometimes with detachable metal discs at each end.

duration—Length of time one works or exercises; Duration is one way of increasing resistance to a muscle or system to improve its function.

dynamic constant-resistance—Strength training exercises and/or equipment that provide a constant resistance throughout the movement range.

dynamic flexibility—The range of motion about a joint when speed is involved during physical performance; strength, power, neuromuscular coordination and tissue resistance are all factors.

dynamic variable-resistance (isokinetic)—Strength training exercises and/or equipment that automatically vary the resistance throughout the movement range; see also accommodative resistance.

dyspnea index—An index which measures shortness of breath for calculating exertion levels; The dyspnea index is useful for people with lung disorders and those on heart-rate depressant drugs.

dyspnea—Shortness of breath or difficult breathing; the subjective feeling of being out of breath; caused by heart or lung disorders, strenuous activity, high anxiety or stress.