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Kinesiology Dictionary
Please use this dictionary of professional kinesiology terms and definitions to help you learn. New terms and definitions will be added on a regular basis for you to learn from. I have decided to extend the dictionary to include terms and definitions from sciences that relate to and support being a kinesiologist or any other healthcare professional. Knowledge itself is power - use the dictionary to empower yourself. Please use the letters in blue below as links to get to the first letter of the term you are looking for. You will be transferred to another page containing those terms and definitions accordingly. Enjoy!
Term | Definition | Associated Field |
|---|---|---|
VO₂ Kinetics | Rate of oxygen uptake adjustment in exercise. | Physiology |
VO₂ Max | Maximal oxygen uptake during exercise. | Exercise Physiology |
Vagus Nerve (CN X) | Cranial nerve regulating parasympathetic functions. | Anatomy / Physiology |
Valgus Deformity | Outward angulation of bone/joint (e.g., knock-knee). | Anatomy / Pathophysiology |
Valgus Stress | Force pushing joint inward (medially). | Biomechanics / Sport Injury |
Valine | Essential branched-chain amino acid. | Nutrition / Biochemistry |
Valsalva Maneuver | Forced exhalation against closed airway. | Physiology / Exercise Testing |
Valsalva Retinopathy | Retinal hemorrhage from increased pressure. | Pathophysiology |
Valvular Stenosis | Narrowing of a heart valve. | Pathophysiology |
Valvuloplasty | Surgical repair of a heart valve. | Medicine |
Van der Waals Forces | Weak intermolecular attractions. | Chemistry |
Vancomycin | Antibiotic for resistant bacterial infections. | Medicine |
Vapor Pressure | Pressure exerted by a vapor above liquid. | Physics |
Variable Resistance Training | Exercise where resistance changes through motion. | Strength & Conditioning |
Variance | Statistical measure of data dispersion. | Sociology / Research |
Varicella | Viral infection causing chickenpox. | Pathophysiology |
Varicocele | Enlarged veins in scrotum. | Pathophysiology |
Varicose Veins | Dilated, twisted superficial veins. | Pathophysiology |
Vas Deferens | Duct transporting sperm from testes. | Anatomy |
Vascular Dementia | Cognitive decline due to poor blood flow. | Pathophysiology |
Vascular Endothelium | Inner lining of blood vessels. | Anatomy |
Vascular Resistance | Opposition to blood flow in circulation. | Physiology |
Vascular Smooth Muscle | Muscle type in vessel walls. | Anatomy |
Vasculitis | Inflammation of blood vessels. | Pathophysiology |
Vasectomy | Surgical procedure cutting vas deferens. | Medicine |
Vasoconstriction | Narrowing of blood vessels. | Physiology |
Vasodilation | Widening of blood vessels. | Physiology |
Vasomotor Center | Brainstem region regulating vessel tone. | Physiology |
Vasopressin (ADH) | Hormone regulating water balance and BP. | Physiology |
Vastus Intermedius | Deep quadriceps muscle. | Anatomy |
Vastus Lateralis | Quadriceps muscle on lateral thigh. | Anatomy |
Vastus Medialis | Quadriceps muscle on medial thigh. | Anatomy |
Vector (Biomechanics) | Quantity with magnitude and direction. | Physics / Biomechanics |
Vector-Borne Disease | Disease transmitted by insects/animals. | Pathophysiology |
Vegetative State | Condition of wakefulness without awareness. | Neuroscience |
Vein | Vessel carrying blood toward heart. | Anatomy |
Velocity | Speed in a given direction. | Physics / Biomechanics |
Ventilation | Movement of air into and out of lungs. | Physiology |
Ventilator | Machine supporting breathing. | Medicine |
Ventral Root | Spinal nerve root carrying motor signals. | Anatomy |
Ventral Stream | Visual pathway for object recognition. | Neuroscience |
Ventricle (Brain) | Cavity producing cerebrospinal fluid. | Anatomy |
Ventricle (Heart) | Lower pumping chamber of heart. | Anatomy |
Ventricular Fibrillation | Chaotic heart rhythm causing cardiac arrest. | ECG / ACLS |
Ventricular Hypertrophy | Thickening of heart’s ventricular walls. | Pathophysiology |
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) | Hole in septum between ventricles. | Pathophysiology |
Ventricular Tachycardia | Fast abnormal heart rhythm in ventricles. | ECG |
Venturi Effect | Pressure drop in fluid when velocity increases. | Physics |
Venule | Small vein connecting capillaries to larger veins. | Anatomy |
Vermis (Cerebellum) | Midline cerebellar structure controlling posture. | Anatomy |
Vernix Caseosa | Waxy substance covering newborn skin. | Physiology |
Vertebra | Bone forming the spine. | Anatomy |
Vertebral Artery | Artery supplying blood to brainstem/cerebellum. | Anatomy |
Vertebral Column | Spine protecting spinal cord. | Anatomy |
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency | Reduced blood flow to brainstem. | Pathophysiology |
Vertical Integration (Training) | Linking phases of exercise program. | Strength & Conditioning |
Vertical Jump Test | Measure of explosive leg power. | Exercise Testing |
Vestibular System | Inner ear system regulating balance. | Physiology |
Vestibule (Ear) | Central part of bony labyrinth. | Anatomy |
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) | Reflex stabilizing vision during head movement. | Neuroscience |
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII) | Cranial nerve for hearing/balance. | Anatomy |
Villi (Intestinal) | Finger-like projections aiding nutrient absorption. | Anatomy |
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever | Severe infection causing bleeding disorders. | Pathophysiology |
Viral Load | Amount of virus in blood/body. | Pathophysiology |
Viral Oncogene | Viral gene promoting cancer. | Genetics |
Viral Vector | Modified virus delivering genetic material. | Genetics |
Virchow’s Triad | Three factors predisposing to thrombosis. | Pathophysiology |
Viremia | Presence of viruses in bloodstream. | Pathophysiology |
Virion | Complete viral particle. | Biology |
Virology | Study of viruses. | Biology |
Virtual Reality Training | Use of VR for rehab and motor learning. | Motor Behavior |
Virulence | Degree of pathogenicity of microorganism. | Biology |
Visceral Fat | Fat stored around internal organs. | Nutrition |
Visceral Pain | Pain from internal organs. | Pathophysiology |
Vision | Sense of sight. | Physiology |
Visual Acuity | Sharpness of vision. | Psychology / Medicine |
Visual Cortex | Brain region processing vision. | Neuroscience |
Visual Motor Integration | Coordination of visual perception and motor output. | Motor Behavior |
Vital Capacity (VC) | Maximal exhaled volume after full inhalation. | Physiology |
Vital Exhaustion | Chronic fatigue linked to stress/heart disease. | Psychology / Physiology |
Vital Signs | Measures of basic body functions (HR, BP, temp, RR). | Medicine |
Vitamin A (Retinol) | Essential for vision and skin health. | Nutrition |
Vitamin B Complex | Group of water-soluble vitamins (B1–B12). | Nutrition |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Antioxidant vitamin supporting immunity. | Nutrition |
Vitamin D | Vitamin regulating calcium and bone metabolism. | Nutrition |
Vitamin E | Antioxidant protecting cell membranes. | Nutrition |
Vitamin K | Vitamin essential for blood clotting. | Nutrition |
Vitreous Humor | Gel filling eye’s posterior chamber. | Anatomy |
Vocal Cords | Folds producing voice in larynx. | Anatomy |
Volar Plate | Ligament preventing hyperextension in fingers. | Anatomy |
Volition | Conscious decision-making process. | Psychology |
Volley Principle | Theory of auditory coding by neuron groups. | Neuroscience |
Voltage-Gated Channel | Ion channel opening in response to voltage change. | Physiology |
Voltmeter | Device measuring electrical potential difference. | Physics |
Volume Load | Total weight lifted across training session. | Strength & Conditioning |
Volume of Distribution | Pharmacological measure of drug distribution. | Medicine |
Voluntary Muscle | Skeletal muscle controlled by conscious effort. | Anatomy |
Voluntary Nervous System | Somatic nervous system controlling skeletal muscles. | Anatomy |
Voluntary Response | Action under conscious control. | Motor Behavior |
Vomer | Thin facial bone forming nasal septum. | Anatomy |
Vomeronasal Organ | Olfactory structure detecting pheromones. | Anatomy |
Vomiting Reflex | Reflex ejecting stomach contents. | Physiology |
Voxel | 3D unit of measurement in imaging. | Medicine / Physics |
Vulnerability (Psychology) | Susceptibility to stress or illness. | Psychology |
Vygotsky’s Theory | Sociocultural theory of cognitive development. | Psychology |
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