22.5: Key Terms

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