Aerobic capacity
The ability to use oxygen during sustained activity, influenced by several body systems. It is often discussed alongside the measure known as VO2 max.
Reference · Edition 2026
Performance glossary
A plain-language reference for recurring terms in Genesis coverage. Definitions are descriptive, drawn from standard sports science usage, and are updated as the vocabulary of the field evolves.
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Core terms
Cardiovascular and training language
Perceived effort
A personal rating of how hard a session feels, useful when conditions change. Scales such as the 1–10 rating of perceived exertion are common.
Progressive overload
A gradual increase in a training demand that allows adaptation without unnecessary jumps.
Recovery
The process through which the body and mind restore capacity after stress.
Zone language
A simplified way to describe intensity; boundaries vary by method and person.
Training monotony
A pattern in which sessions are too similar, potentially increasing accumulated strain.
Training load terms
- Volume
- The total amount of work in a period, such as kilometres run or sets lifted in a week.
- Intensity
- How demanding the work is relative to a person's capacity, expressed by effort, heart rate or percentage of a maximum.
- Frequency
- How often a type of session is performed within a given period.
- Taper
- A planned reduction in training before an event, intended to reduce fatigue while keeping fitness.
- Deload
- A lighter week or block inserted to reduce accumulated fatigue.
- Specificity
- The principle that adaptation is closely related to the type of training performed.
Recovery
Recovery and sleep vocabulary
- Sleep opportunity: the time set aside in bed for sleep, which differs from time actually slept.
- Sleep hygiene: habits and surroundings that support regular sleep, such as consistent timing and a cool, dark room.
- Heart rate variability (HRV): variation in the interval between beats, often tracked by wearables.
- Resting heart rate: beats per minute measured at rest, which varies with fitness, stress and illness.
- Allostatic load: the cumulative wear that results from repeated adaptation to stress.
For practical context see the recovery section.
Research vocabulary
Understanding how studies are labelled helps readers weigh the strength of a claim. The table summarises terms used throughout the journal.
| Term | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Randomised controlled trial | Participants are assigned to groups by chance | Reduces certain kinds of bias |
| Observational study | Researchers observe groups without assigning them | Shows associations, not proof of cause |
| Systematic review | Structured summary of all studies on a question | Gives a broader picture than a single paper |
| Meta-analysis | Statistical pooling of results from several studies | Quality depends on the studies included |
| Effect size | The magnitude of a difference found | Distinguishes statistical from practical importance |
A note on definitions
Terms in sports science are used slightly differently from one laboratory, federation or coach to another. Where a word has several established meanings, the entry states the sense used on this site. Readers who notice an error or a missing term can write through the contact page.
How to use this glossary
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Check the source
Where a definition draws on a specific body of research, it is described on the methodology page.
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