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activity
purposeful movement, such as walking
activity of daily living (ADL)
an essential, routine task that most people can do independently most of the time
adult day service
a facility where adults who are unable to support all their ADL needs or who are unsafe to be alone for long periods can go for care during the day while their families or caregivers work
aerobic exercise
continuous physical activity that increases the heart rate and improves the function of the cardiovascular system
aging in place
the state of growing older in one’s home, with or without caregivers, rather than moving to a nursing home
alignment
proper body position
antagonist
a muscle that moves in the opposite direction of the prime mover
articular cartilage
thin, spongy layer of cartilage that covers articulations
assisted ADL
an ADL that an individual can help with, but they need hands-on help from another to perform fully
assistive device
equipment, such as a lift or sliding sheets, that enables healthcare professionals to care for patients more safely
ataxia
loss of coordination
atrophy
the shrinking of a muscle due to lack of exercise or activity
balance
the ability to maintain an upright alignment that prevents an individual from falling
balance training
a practice used to improve an individual’s ability to remain upright while stationary or moving and to decrease the chance of falling
basic activity of daily living (BADL)
a physical ADL learned as children that allows individuals to care for their bodies: transferring, continence, eating, toileting, dressing, bathing, and grooming
body mechanics
intentional movements and muscle use designed to maintain an individual’s posture and alignment, decreasing the chance of injury
bone
hard, dense connective tissue that form most of the adult skeleton, the primary support structure of the body
bone density
a measurement of the amount of hard minerals that are present in bone and that account for its strength and resilience
cardiac muscle
muscle specifically related to cardiac tissue
cartilage
type of connective tissue that provides structural support and flexibility and helps reduce friction during joint movement
central nervous system (CNS)
the primary processing center of the body; includes the brain and spinal cord
circulation
the continuous, controlled movement of blood throughout the body, facilitated by the heart, blood vessels, and blood
contraction
the act of a muscle working by shortening the muscle fibers to make a joint bend
coordination
the ability to change position effectively and intentionally
core
the lower torso, including the abdomen and lower back, that controls lower body postural stabilization
dependent ADL
an ADL that an individual is unable to help with at all and requires someone else to do for them
dynamic posture
how an individual holds their body during movement
dysarthria
the slurring of speech or changing of vocal volume
dysmetria
the inability to control or judge the range needed for a motion
endurance
ability to withstand or tolerate prolonged physical activity or hardship over time
ergonomics
the design and arrangement of workspaces, tools, equipment, and tasks to optimize comfort, efficiency, and safety for employees
exercise
purposeful, structured, repetitive physical activity that requires sustained effort
flexibility
the ability to move a joint through its entire range of motion
functional ability
the ability to independently perform expected tasks
functional assessment
a measure of ADL performance
independent ADL
an ADL that an individual can do with no help or coaching
instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)
a more-complex skill needed to function independently in a community, such as shopping for and preparing food, paying bills, and managing medications
isometric training
exercise that involves contracting a muscle against an unmoving force
isotonic training
exercise that involves contracting a muscle against a force that moves
joint
a location where bones come into contact, allowing for movement
lifestyle variable
a daily action or activity related to work, leisure, and diet
ligament
tough but flexible fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds joints together
myopathy
the name for a set of health conditions characterized by failure of the muscle fibers to work effectively, causing pain, stiffness, and weakness
neuromuscular junction (NMJ)
the site where a motor neuron’s terminal meets the muscle fiber and responds to motor signals
neuron
a component of a nerve that passes information to and from the spinal cord and brain
osteoporosis
a condition characterized by loss of bone density, making bones weak and prone to fracture
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the portion of the nervous system located on the periphery of the central nervous system containing peripheral structures including ganglia and nerves
postural reflex
an unconscious, involuntary correction that the nervous and musculoskeletal systems make together to keep postural alignment when something threatens to disrupt it
posture
how an individual holds their body
prime mover
the main muscle making a movement happen
quality of life (QoL)
an individual’s overall enjoyment of life and sense of well-being
range of motion
the extent and direction of movement that a joint or a group of joints can achieve
relaxation
the act of muscle fibers returning to their resting state as a muscle stops working
safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM)
a series of interconnected techniques designed to allow high-quality patient care, decreasing the risk of injury to both patients and staff
skeletal muscle
muscle that attaches to bone and creates intentional movement as it contracts and relaxes, causing the bones to move
skeletal system
the bones, joints, and other structures that allow for movement, form the body, make blood cells, and shield organs
smooth muscle
muscle in the walls of hollow organs such as the urinary bladder, uterus, stomach, and intestines
somatic nervous system
the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscle
stamina
physical and mental capacity to endure prolonged periods of exertion or activity without experiencing fatigue
static posture
how an individual holds their posture when still
strength training (resistance training)
the practice of contracting a muscle against a load, such as free weights, elastic bands, water, or one’s body weight
stretch
a slow, steady exercise or movement designed to extend or lengthen specific muscles or muscle groups in the body
striated muscle
muscle that appears striped, allowing for the muscle fibers to slide apart or together during movement
supervised ADL
an ADL that an individual can do themselves, but they require coaching or supervision to perform them safely and effectively
synergist
a muscle that helps the prime mover muscle by providing stability or assistance
synovial fluid
liquid in joints that allows bones to glide over each other freely with decreased friction, preventing pain and erosion at the articulations
synovial joint
a movable joint characterized by a fluid-filled cavity in the space where bones articulate
tendon
a tough connective tissue located on each side of a joint that controls joint movement
tremor
uncontrolled shaking when attempting purposeful movement or resting
vestibular system
the body system located in the inner ear that functions to maintain homeostasis in balance
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