Exercise Terminology - Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Laboratory

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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UNC School of Medicine | Department of Health Sciences

Term Definition

Aerobic Exercise:

Also known as cardio. This exercise makes your heart beat faster and makes you breathe heavier. Aerobic exercise is good for heart health and increasing your endurance.

Aquatic Exercise:

Any exercise performed in a pool. Because of the buoyancy of the water, this is a low-impact activity. Aquatic Exercise can be both aerobic and strengthening.

Mobility:

The ability to move freely in your surrounding environment. Applies mainly to joint’s range of motion.

Muscle Strengthening Exercise:

Any exercise that works on increasing muscular strength. These are usually done by lifting weights or with training machines. These exercises can benefit a person’s bone density, overall strength and support joints.

High-Impact Exercise:

Exercises that put more stress on your joints. These usually involve exercise where you must land on one or both feet. Examples include running and jumping.

Intensity:

This is how hard an exercise feels. The Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale is one way to measure this and is included on the Exercise Recommendations page.

Low-Impact Exercise:

Exercises that put less stress on your joints. Examples include walking, cycling, elliptical, swimming, weight-lifting, yoga, and more.

Metabolic System:

Chemical processes that create energy from food.

Osteoporosis:

Weak or brittle bones. People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of breaking bones.

Repetition:

The number of times you do an exercise in a row.

Sarcopenia:

Results in a loss of muscle strength and size. This may occur naturally with aging or due to decreased activity. Regular strength training may slow the process or reverse this process, depending on the cause.

Sets:

The number of times you perform a certain number of repetitions. Exercises are often written with both sets and repetitions. The typical notation is:

(Sets) x (Repetitions)

For example, an exercise program may write: squats 3 x 10. This means you should do 10 squats, take a break, do 10 more squats, take a break, and then do 10 more squats.

Weight-bearing Exercise:

Any exercise that involves working against gravity. Weight-bearing exercise makes your muscles and bones stronger. Examples include weight-lifting, stair climbing, running, planks, and more.