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conditioning terms. 30 terms, defined.

Aerobic and anaerobic conditioning: VO2 max and thresholds, heart rate measures, interval methods, speed and agility. Every definition is cited to a page in the textbooks and research coaches trust.

A

Aerobic capacityAerobic capacity is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise, also called VO2 max or maximal aerobic power.
AgilityAgility is rapid whole-body movement that changes speed or direction in response to an outside stimulus, such as an opponent or a ball.

C

E

F

FartlekFartlek is continuous running that mixes an easy pace with fast bursts or hills of varying length; the Swedish name means speed play.

H

I

L

M

P

Polarized trainingPolarized training is an endurance training split with most work below the ventilatory or aerobic threshold and the rest at or above threshold.

R

S

Sprint interval training (SIT)Sprint interval training (SIT) is repeated all-out sprint efforts of about 20 to 30 seconds, separated by longer recovery periods.

T

V

Ventilatory thresholdVentilatory threshold is the exercise intensity at which breathing rises disproportionately to oxygen uptake.

W

Work-to-rest ratioWork-to-rest ratio compares the duration of an exercise effort with its recovery period, such as 1:10 for 5 seconds of work and 50 seconds of rest.

Z

Zone 2 trainingZone 2 training is easy, steady aerobic exercise, with its upper limit set at the first ventilatory threshold in some zone systems.