Glossary

hams—Slang for hamstring muscles..

health related physical fitness—Components of physical fitness that are associated with some aspect of health; these important factors include cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition, and joint flexibility.

health—The absence of disease or injury along with physical, mental, and social well-being.

heart attack—See myocardial infarction.

heart rate (HR)—Number of times the heart beats in one minute.

heart rate reserve (HRR)—The result of subtracting the resting heart rate from the maximal heart rate; represents the working heart-rate range between rest and maximal heart rate within which all activity occurs; used in the Karvonen method of calculating target heart rates.

heart—Muscular organ approximately the size of a fist which contains four chambers which pumps blood through the body.

heat cramps—Painful cramps occurring in muscles caused from laboring in hot conditions in which excessive amounts of electrolytes are lost in the sweat, causing the heat cramps.

heat exhaustion—The most common heat related illness; usually the result of intense exercise in a hot, humid environment and characterized by profuse sweating, which results in fluid and electrolyte loss, a drop in blood pressure, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, decreased coordination and often syncope (fainting).

heat stroke—Exertional heat stroke is caused when the body generates more heat through muscle activity than it can dissipate, which can lead to permanent damage or death. Symptoms of heat stroke include red dry skin, cessation of perspiration, fast strong pulse, dizziness or fainting. A true medical emergency, heat stroke can be prevented by working out at a cooler time, dressing lightly and drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercising.

hemoglobin—Protein that holds and transports oxygen within the blood consisting of an iron-containing pigment called heme and a simple protein, globin.

hernia—Protrusion or projection of part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it; Example, protrusion of the abdominal contents into the groin (inguinal hernia) or through the abdominal wall (abdominal hernia).

herniated disc—A condition in which the disc between two vertebrae of the spine bulges backward, often compressing a nerve root and compromising its function.

high energy phosphates—Molecules within the body that provide the energy to drive chemical reactions within the body; Example, ATP.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—A type of cholesterol that has scavenger characteristics in removing some fats, making it beneficial; Exercise can increase the production of HDL.

high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)—HFCS are formulations generally containing 42 percent, 55 percent or 90 percent fructose (the remaining carbohydrate being primarily glucose) depending on the product application. HCFS are used in products such as soft drinks or cake mixes.

homeostasis—The tendency toward stability and balance in normal body states.

hormones—Chemical substances which originate in an organ, gland, or body part, and are conveyed by the blood to affect functions in other parts of the body.

human growth hormone (HGH)—Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland in response to various stressful stimuli such as heat, starvation and intense physical stress (e.g., exercise); The principle functions of HGH are to stimulate anabolism and to mobilize stored fat (triglycerides) for energy, thus sparing muscle glycogen.

hydrogenation—Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen molecules directly to an unsaturated fatty acid from sources such as vegetable oils to convert it to a semi-solid form such as margarine or shortening. Hydrogenation contributes important textural properties to food. The degree of hydrogenation influences the firmness and spreadability of margarines, flakiness of pie crust and the creaminess of puddings. Hydrogenated oils are sometimes used in place of other fats with higher proportions of saturated fatty acids such as butter or lard. Hydrogenation may lead to the formation of trans fatty acids.

hydrostatic weighing—A body composition analysis technique that consists of an underwater test used to measure body fat and lean body mass percentages; based on the relative density of fat and lean tissue.

hypercholesterolemia—A condition characterized by having elevated cholesterol in the blood.

hyperextension—Extreme or excessive extension of a joint beyond the normal range of motion.

hyperglycemia—A condition characterized by an abnormally high content of glucose in the blood.

hyperlipidemia—A condition characterized by an excess of lipids in the blood.

hyperplasia—An increase in cell growth through splitting of cells.

hypertension—Hypertension is the persistently elevated arterial blood pressure. It is the most common public health problem in developed countries. Emphasis on lifestyle modifications has given diet a prominent role for both the primary prevention and management of hypertension. Hypertension is considered as resting blood pressure levels over 140/90.

hypertension—A condition characterized by high blood pressure, or the elevation of blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.

hyperthermia—A condition characterized by abnormally high body temperature.

hypertrophy—An increase in the cross-sectional size of a muscle in response to progressive resistance (strength) training.

hyperventilation—A condition characterized by a greater-than-normal rate of breathing that results in an abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood; dizziness may occur.

hypoglycemia—A condition characterized by a deficiency of sugar in the blood commonly caused by too much insulin, too little glucose, or too much exercise in the insulin-dependent diabetic.

hypokalemia—A condition characterized by a deficiency of potassium in the blood.

hypokinesis—A condition characterized by a lack of activity or energy.

hypothermia—A condition characterized by an abnormally low body temperature.