Glossary

waiver—Voluntary abandonment of a right to file suit; not always legally binding.

warm-up—A pre-workout routine that prepares the body for strenuous exercise; Warming up generally consists of light, progressive movements that stimulate heart, lungs, and muscles. The goal of the warm-up is to increase nutrient flow and heat of the muscles through increased blood flow throughout the body. Stretching is not advised as a warm-up strategy because of the damage that is easily caused to cold muscles.

water—Although deficiencies of energy or nutrients can be sustained for months or even years, a person can survive only a few days without water. Experts rank water second only to oxygen as essential for life. In addition to offering true refreshment for the thirsty, water plays a vital role in all bodily processes. It supplies the medium in which various chemical changes of the body occur, aiding in digestion, absorption, circulation and lubrication of body joints. For example, as a major component of blood, water helps deliver nutrients to body cells and removes waste to the kidneys for excretion.

water soluble vitamins—Vitamins that are soluble in water, not fat. Most of the water-soluble vitamins are components of essential enzyme systems. Many are involved in the reactions supporting energy metabolism. These vitamins are not normally stored in the body in appreciable amounts and are normally excreted in the urine. Thus, a daily supply is desirable to avoid depletion and interruption of normal physiologic functions.

water soluble—Able to dissolve in water.

Weight-control information Network—See WIN.

WIC—Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Established in 1972, the WIC program provides food and nutrition education to improve the nutritional status of medically high-risk pregnant and lactating women and children up to 5 years of age from low-income families. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

WIN—Weight-control information Network. A division of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under the Public Health Service. Authorized by Congress (Public Law 103-43), WIN assembles and disseminates information on weight control, obesity, and nutritional disorders to health professionals and the general public. WIN, 1 WIN Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3665. (301) 570-2186. Internet Address: http://www.nidk.nih.gov//NutritionDocs.html.

work load—Amount of physical effort required for a specified task (often referred to in Watts).

work-in—To share equipment with another person; each individual performs a set and then allows the other person to perform a set.

work—Physical effort required to accomplish a task.