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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 |
|---|---|---|
Wada Test | Procedure assessing brain hemisphere dominance. | Neuroscience |
Waist Circumference | Anthropometric measure of central obesity. | Nutrition / Exercise Testing |
Walking Economy | Energy cost of walking at submaximal speed. | Exercise Physiology |
Walking Gait | Pattern of steps during walking cycle. | Biomechanics |
Walking Lunges | Exercise strengthening legs and glutes. | Strength & Conditioning |
Wall Sit | Isometric exercise targeting quadriceps. | Strength & Conditioning |
Wall Test (Posture) | Clinical measure of spinal alignment. | Exercise Testing |
Warburg Effect | Cancer cells’ preference for glycolysis. | Pathophysiology |
Warm Ischemia Time | Time organ is without blood supply before cooling. | Medicine |
Warm-Up | Low-intensity activity preparing body for exercise. | Exercise Prescription |
Wart (Verruca) | Skin growth caused by HPV infection. | Pathophysiology |
Wasting Syndrome | Severe weight loss due to chronic illness. | Pathophysiology |
Water Balance | Relationship of fluid intake and output. | Physiology |
Water Hammer Pulse | Bounding pulse seen in aortic regurgitation. | Pathophysiology |
Water Immersion Therapy | Rehabilitation using buoyancy and resistance. | Rehab / Exercise Prescription |
Water Intoxication | Hyponatremia caused by excessive water intake. | Pathophysiology |
Water Jet Therapy | Hydrotherapy technique using pressurized water. | Rehabilitation |
Water Retention (Edema) | Excess fluid buildup in tissues. | Pathophysiology |
Water-Soluble Vitamins | Vitamins B-complex and C. | Nutrition |
Watt (W) | SI unit of power (1 J/s). | Physics |
Wave Summation | Increased muscle force by repeated stimuli. | Physiology |
Waveform (ECG) | Graphical representation of electrical activity. | ECG |
Wavelength | Distance between successive wave crests. | Physics |
Waxy Flexibility | Motor symptom in catatonia. | Psychology |
Wearable Technology | Devices tracking activity/health metrics. | Exercise Testing |
Web Space (Hand/Foot) | Soft tissue between fingers/toes. | Anatomy |
Weber Fraction | Smallest detectable change in stimulus. | Psychology |
Weber Syndrome | Brainstem stroke affecting eye and motor function. | Pathophysiology |
Weber Test | Tuning fork test for hearing loss. | Medicine |
Weber’s Law | Psychological principle of just noticeable difference. | Psychology |
Wedge Fracture | Compression fracture of vertebra. | Sport Injury |
Weight Gain | Increase in body mass. | Nutrition |
Weight Loss | Reduction in body mass. | Nutrition |
Weight Management | Strategies to maintain healthy body weight. | Nutrition |
Weight Shift | Transfer of body weight in movement. | Biomechanics |
Weight-Bearing Exercise | Exercise supporting body weight (e.g., running). | Strength & Conditioning |
Weight-to-Height Ratio | Anthropometric index for health risk. | Exercise Testing |
Weighted Vest Training | Resistance training using body-loaded vest. | Strength & Conditioning |
Weightlifting | Sport and training with maximal lifts. | Strength & Conditioning |
Weightlifting Belt | Equipment stabilizing core during lifts. | Strength & Conditioning |
Weightlifting Shoes | Footwear improving lifting mechanics. | Strength & Conditioning |
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome | Neurological disorder from thiamine deficiency. | Pathophysiology |
Wernicke’s Area | Brain region for language comprehension. | Neuroscience |
Western Blot | Lab technique detecting proteins. | Genetics / Biochemistry |
White Blood Cell (WBC) | Immune cell defending against infection. | Biology |
White Coat Hypertension | Elevated BP in clinical settings due to anxiety. | Pathophysiology |
White Matter | Myelinated axons in CNS. | Anatomy |
White Muscle Fibers | Fast-twitch fibers with low endurance. | Exercise Physiology |
White Noise | Random sound with equal intensity across frequencies. | Psychology |
Whole Body Plethysmography | Lung volume measurement method. | Exercise Testing |
Whole Body Vibration | Training method using vibrating platforms. | Strength & Conditioning |
Whole Grain | Grain containing bran, germ, endosperm. | Nutrition |
Whole Milk | Dairy product with full fat content. | Nutrition |
Wilson’s Disease | Genetic disorder causing copper accumulation. | Pathophysiology |
Wind Chill Effect | Perceived temperature drop due to wind. | Physiology |
Wind Resistance | Force opposing movement through air. | Physics / Biomechanics |
Windkessel Effect | Elastic property of large arteries regulating flow. | Physiology |
Windlass Mechanism | Plantar fascia function during gait. | Biomechanics |
Windmill Exercise | Core stability and mobility movement. | Strength & Conditioning |
Wing Musculature | Chest/back muscles aiding shoulder movement. | Anatomy |
Wingate Test | Anaerobic power cycling test. | Exercise Testing |
Winged Scapula | Protrusion of scapula due to nerve/muscle injury. | Sport Injury |
Withdrawal Bleeding | Menstrual-like bleeding after stopping hormones. | Physiology |
Withdrawal Reflex | Automatic withdrawal from painful stimulus. | Motor Behavior |
Withdrawal Reflex Arc | Neural circuit controlling withdrawal reflex. | Physiology |
Withdrawal Syndrome | Symptoms after stopping drug use. | Psychology |
Withdrawn Behavior | Psychological state of social disengagement. | Psychology |
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome | ECG abnormality causing tachycardia. | Pathophysiology / ECG |
Wolffian Duct | Embryonic structure developing into male organs. | Anatomy |
Wolff’s Law | Bone adapts to mechanical stress. | Physiology / Biomechanics |
Word Association Test | Psychological assessment of subconscious responses. | Psychology |
Work | Product of force × distance. | Physics |
Work Capacity | Ability to sustain physical effort. | Exercise Physiology |
Work of Breathing | Energy expended to inhale/exhale. | Physiology |
Work-Energy Principle | Work done equals change in kinetic energy. | Physics |
Working Memory | Short-term memory system for active tasks. | Psychology |
Workload | Training volume/intensity combination. | Strength & Conditioning |
Workstation Ergonomics | Design of workspace to prevent injury. | Biomechanics |
World Health Organization (WHO) | Global public health agency. | Sociology / Medicine |
Wound Closure | Surgical or natural sealing of wound. | Medicine |
Wound Debridement | Removal of dead tissue to promote healing. | Medicine |
Wound Drainage | Fluid output from healing site. | Pathophysiology |
Wound Healing | Biological repair process after injury. | Pathophysiology |
Wound Infection | Microbial invasion of healing tissue. | Pathophysiology |
Wound Irrigation | Flushing wound with fluid for cleaning. | First Aid |
Wound Scar | Fibrous tissue replacing normal tissue after healing. | Pathophysiology |
Wound Vacuum Therapy | Negative pressure treatment for wound closure. | Medicine |
Wrist Arthroscopy | Minimally invasive surgery of wrist. | Medicine |
Wrist Circumference | Anthropometric measure linked to frame size. | Exercise Testing |
Wrist Extension | Bending wrist backward. | Anatomy |
Wrist Flexion | Bending wrist toward palm. | Anatomy |
Wrist Fracture (Colles’) | Break of distal radius. | Sport Injury |
Wrist Joint (Radiocarpal) | Synovial joint between forearm and hand. | Anatomy |
Wrist Roller Exercise | Forearm strengthening movement. | Strength & Conditioning |
Wrist Sprain | Ligament injury in the wrist. | Sport Injury |
Wrist Strain | Muscle/tendon injury of wrist. | Sport Injury |
Wrist Tap Test | Neurological test for tremor evaluation. | Neurology |
Wry Neck (Torticollis) | Abnormal head tilt from muscle spasm. | Pathophysiology |
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