Glossary
A
Active recovery
Recovery is carried out as light exercise, such as walking. Active recovery has been found to be more effective than just resting.
Aerobic exercise
During aerobic exercise, the energy for the activity is mainly produced via aerobic metabolism, which means that oxygen is used to produce energy. For example, during a 10km cross-country skiing race, 90% of energy is produced via aerobic metabolism.
Anaerobic exercise
Anaerobic exercise means that energy for the activity is mainly produced via anaerobic metabolism, which means that oxygen is not used to produce energy. Typical anaerobic exercises include short sprints (up to 400m) with maximal or close to maximal speed. For example, running 800m flat out requires about 60-65% anaerobic and 40-35% aerobic energy production.
Autonomic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system is the part of our nervous system that controls involuntary actions, such as beating of the heart and blood flow in blood vessels.
Average heart beat
Average heart beat during the measurement (shown in the reports).↑
C
Chronic stress
“Stress accumulation” or state, caused by repeated stress reactions; if long-lasting, can consume the body’s resources.↑
E
Energy expenditure
Energy expenditure (kcal, kcal/min) is a measure of how much energy is consumed by the body. The higher the exercise intensity, the more energy is consumed. The normal resting energy consumption in one day is on average 1500 kcal. During moderate-intensity exercise for 30 minutes, approximately 200 kcal of energy is consumed. Very intensive exercise for 45 minutes may consume as many as 700 kcal.
EPOC
EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) is defined as the excess oxygen consumed during recovery from exercise as compared to resting oxygen consumption.
Exhaustion
A state in which the body’s resources have worn out. Usually results from long-term stress or inadequate recovery. Highest heart rate The highest heart rate during the measurement (shown in reports).↑
H
Homeostasis
Homeostasis refers to the process of maintaining the body’s internal environment in a steady state.↑
I
Intensity
The workload of exercise.↑
K
Kcal
Calorie is the unit of measurement for energy. It is the energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °C.↑
L
Lactic acid
During high intensity exercise, lactic acid is formed in the muscles. The resulting increased acidity makes it harder to keep up the same pace.
Lowest heart rate
The lowest heart rate during the measurement (shown in reports).↑
M
Max HR
The heart rate during maximal physical load or the highest heart rate during a measurement period.
MET
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and MET describe the maximal aerobic performance capacity of the person.
Min HR
The heart rate during rest or the lowest heart rate during the measurement period.↑
P
Parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic system is associated with the resting nervous system. It causes a lowering of heart rate and blood pressure.
Physical condition
Includes endurance, speed, strength, mobility and coordination.↑
R
Respiration rate
The number of breaths taken per minute.
RMSSD
Numerical value of heart rate variability (the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals). Measured in milliseconds.↑
S
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic system evokes responses such as dilation of pupils and muscle vasculature, increased heart rate and slowing down of the digestive system. It is the nervous system branch that accelerates the vital functions.
Stress
Expression used for stress reactions in daily life (see stress reaction).
Stress factor
A stress-causing internal or external factor that can be experienced either positively or negatively. Stress factors can be physical, mental or social and short- or long-term.
Stress reaction
An elevated activity level in the human body caused by external or internal factors, in which the controlling factors are autonomic nervous systems reflexes and continuous or hormonal responses. During a stress reaction, the activity of the sympathetic nervous system is dominant and the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system is recessive.↑
V
VO2max
The body’s maximum capacity to transport and utilize oxygen in tissues during exercise.
VO2max training
Training intensity when oxygen consumption is close to the maximum level (>75% VO2max).↑
%
%HRmax
Heart rate percentage value of maximum heart rate. ↑