Hormones

Large molecules manufactured in the body that act as ‘chemical messengers’, instructing certain types of cell on what to do

Prostaglandins

Compounds with hormone-like activity, synthesised in the body from essential fatty acids in the diet

Enzymes

Protein molecules whose job is to speed up biochemical reactions in the body that would otherwise occur too slowly

Fibroblasts

connective tissue cells that can be transformed into the types of cells needed to repair body tissues

Steroids

Particular types of hormones which exert powerful physiological effects in the body

Metabolites

Naturally occurring compounds that are produced in the body when nutrients or other substances undergo a biochemical transformation as part of metabolism

Free radical

a highly unstable, short-lived molecule or molecule fragment that can cause extensive damage to cells

Operant conditioning

A way of influencing behaviour that forms an association between that behaviour and a positive or negative consequence

Choking

Reduced performance under pressure conditions

Static stretching

A stretch that is taken to the point of slight muscular tension and held for 15-20 seconds

Dynamic warm-up

A series of movements (including bouncing and skipping) that are designed to actively prepare the muscles for performance and are performed in a safe and controlled fashion

Cardiovascular warm-up

Any activity that involves large muscle groups, is fairly rhythmic in nature, and causes an increase in the body’s core temperature

ACL

One of two vertical bone-to-bone bands that stabilise the knee

MCL

Bone-to-bone connector on the knee’s inside edge

Menisci

The knee’s flat shock absorbers