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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
Y Chromosome
Male sex chromosome carrying SRY gene.
Genetics
Y Interval (ECG)
Rarely used term for repolarization phase reference.
ECG
Y-Achievement Motivation
Drive in youth to excel in sports/academics.
Sport Psychology
Y-Antigen
Protein antigen marker in immunology.
Biology
Y-Axis
Vertical axis in graphs or anatomical reference.
Physics / Biomechanics
Y-Chromosome Deletion Syndrome
Condition causing infertility and genetic disease.
Pathophysiology
Y-Chromosome Haplogroup
Genetic lineage marker in population studies.
Genetics
Y-Chromosome Microdeletion
Genetic cause of male infertility.
Genetics
Y-Connector (Medical Tubing)
Device splitting or joining fluid lines.
Medicine
Y-Linked Trait
Genetic trait carried on Y chromosome.
Genetics
Y-Protein Kinase
Signal protein in cell regulation.
Biochemistry
Y-STR Marker
Short tandem repeats on Y chromosome for DNA profiling.
Genetics
Y-Stent Procedure
Neurosurgical intervention for brain aneurysms.
Medicine
YAP (Yes-Associated Protein)
Protein regulating cell growth via Hippo pathway.
Biology
YAP Oncogene
Yes-associated protein involved in cancer progression.
Pathophysiology
Yaw
Rotational movement around vertical axis.
Biomechanics
Yawn Hypothesis (Social)
Theory that yawning may synchronize group behavior.
Sociology / Psychology
Yawn Reflex
Involuntary wide mouth opening with deep inhalation.
Physiology
Yawn-Induced Hypoxia
Transient drop in oxygen during yawning.
Physiology
Yawn-Induced Stretch Reflex
Coordinated response involving muscles and respiration.
Motor Behavior
Yeast
Single-celled fungi used in fermentation.
Biology
Yeast Apoptosis
Programmed cell death in yeast models.
Biology
Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC)
Vector used in genetic engineering.
Genetics
Yeast Culture Probiotics
Supplementation with beneficial yeast strains.
Nutrition
Yeast Extract
Nutrient-rich supplement for microbial growth.
Nutrition
Yeast Infection
Overgrowth of Candida species.
Pathophysiology
Yeast Infection (Oral Thrush)
Candida overgrowth in mouth.
Pathophysiology
Yeast Metabolism
Process of glucose fermentation to ethanol/CO₂.
Biochemistry
Yeast Respiration Test
Lab method analyzing metabolism.
Biochemistry
Yeast Two-Hybrid Assay
Technique to study protein–protein interactions.
Genetics / Biochemistry
Yeast-Based Probiotic Therapy
Treatment using beneficial yeast strains.
Nutrition
Yellow Bone Marrow
Fat-storing marrow in long bones.
Anatomy
Yellow Dot Program
Medical ID system in vehicles for emergencies.
First Aid
Yellow Fat Disease (Steatitis)
Inflammatory condition from oxidized fat intake.
Pathophysiology / Nutrition
Yellow Fever
Viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Pathophysiology
Yellow Ligament (Ligamentum Flavum)
Spinal ligament providing elasticity.
Anatomy
Yellow Nail Syndrome
Disorder with yellow nails, lymphedema, pleural effusion.
Pathophysiology
Yellow Pigments (Carotenoids)
Plant compounds with antioxidant roles.
Nutrition
Yellow Vein Disease
Viral infection in plants (used as analogy in physiology).
Pathophysiology
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Psychological law relating arousal and performance.
Sport Psychology
Yersinia Enterocolitica
Bacterium causing gastroenteritis.
Pathophysiology
Yersinia Pestis
Bacterium causing plague.
Pathophysiology
Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis
Bacterium causing zoonotic infections.
Pathophysiology
Yersiniosis
Infection caused by Yersinia bacteria.
Pathophysiology
Yield Fatigue
Progressive weakening under repeated stress.
Biomechanics
Yield Point
Stress at which material begins to deform permanently.
Physics
Yield Strength (Muscle)
Maximum stress muscle tissue withstands before failure.
Biomechanics
Yield Surface (Biomechanics)
Limit curve for tissue/material loading.
Biomechanics
Yield Test (Strength)
Clinical or lab test for tissue strength.
Exercise Testing
Yin-Yang Balance
Traditional medicine principle applied in wellness.
Sociology / Psychology
Yoga
Mind–body practice combining postures, breathing, meditation.
Exercise Prescription / Psychology
Yogurt
Fermented dairy product with probiotics.
Nutrition
Yoke Muscles (Neck/Shoulder)
Upper trapezius and supporting musculature.
Anatomy
Yoked Conditioning
Learning method pairing stimuli with yoked controls.
Psychology
Yoked Control Group
Research group matched in design but without intervention.
Sociology / Research
Yoked Visual Training
Eye exercise method for coordination.
Motor Behavior
Yolk Absorption Rate
Rate of yolk utilization in embryo.
Biology
Yolk Fat Droplets
Lipid stores in embryonic yolk.
Biology
Yolk Granules
Nutrient particles in egg cytoplasm.
Biology
Yolk Membrane
Protective layer around yolk in eggs.
Biology
Yolk Mitochondria
Energy organelles stored in yolk.
Biology
Yolk Plug (Embryology)
Embryonic structure during gastrulation.
Biology
Yolk Protein
Nutrient source for embryo development.
Biology
Yolk Retention Syndrome
Condition of retained yolk in neonates.
Pathophysiology
Yolk Sac
Embryonic membrane providing nutrients.
Anatomy
Yolk Sac Tumor
Rare germ cell cancer.
Pathophysiology
Yolk Stalk (Vitelline Duct)
Embryonic connection between yolk sac and midgut.
Anatomy
Yolk Syncytium
Multinucleated cell mass in early development.
Biology
Yolk-Based Nutrient Transport
Mechanism supplying embryo with energy.
Biology
Yolk-Derived Antibodies (IgY)
Antibodies from egg yolk used in research.
Biology
Yolk-Derived Growth Factors
Nutrients supporting embryo development.
Biology
Yolk-Derived Immunity
Passive immunity from maternal yolk antibodies.
Biology
Yolk-Derived Iron Transport
Iron supply pathway in embryos.
Nutrition
Yolk-Derived Nutrient Utilization
Embryo’s metabolic use of yolk nutrients.
Physiology
Yolk-Derived Proteolysis
Protein breakdown in developing embryos.
Biochemistry
Yolk-Derived RNA
Messenger molecules from embryonic yolk.
Biology
Yolk-Endocytosis
Uptake of yolk particles by embryo cells.
Biology
Yolk-Free Medium
Laboratory medium without yolk proteins.
Biochemistry
Young Adult Fitness Standards
Normative data for 18–25 years.
Exercise Testing
Young Age Mortality Rate
Epidemiological measure of youth deaths.
Sociology
Young Athlete Burnout
Physical/mental fatigue from sports overload.
Sport Psychology
Young Athlete Screening
Pre-participation evaluation for sports.
Exercise Testing
Young Athlete’s Heart
Adaptive cardiac enlargement in trained youth.
Exercise Physiology
Young-Laplace Equation
Physics principle relating pressure and surface tension.
Physics
Young-Onset Dementia
Cognitive decline beginning before age 65.
Pathophysiology
Young’s Experiment (Double-Slit)
Classic physics experiment demonstrating wave nature of light.
Physics
Young’s Modulus
Measure of material stiffness/elasticity.
Physics / Biomechanics
Young’s Syndrome
Male infertility condition linked to chronic sinusitis.
Pathophysiology
Youth ACL Injury
Ligament tear common in adolescent athletes.
Sport Injury
Youth Anxiety Disorder
Excessive worry in children/adolescents.
Psychology
Youth Depression
Mood disorder in adolescents.
Psychology
Youth Endurance Training
Conditioning to improve aerobic fitness in youth.
Exercise Physiology
Youth Fitness Test
Assessment of children’s physical fitness.
Exercise Testing
Youth Mental Health Screening
Early detection of psychological issues.
Psychology
Youth Obesity
Excessive fat accumulation in children/adolescents.
Nutrition / Pathophysiology
Youth Resistance Band Training
Strength conditioning for young athletes.
Strength & Conditioning
Youth Resistance Training
Strength training tailored for children/adolescents.
Strength & Conditioning
Youth Skill Acquisition
Motor learning process in children.
Motor Behavior
Youth Sports Specialization
Early focus on one sport, often risky.
Sport Psychology / Sociology
Yttrium
Chemical element used in medical imaging and lasers.
Chemistry
Yttrium Isotopes
Radioisotopes in diagnostic and therapeutic use.
Physics / Medicine
Yttrium-90
Radioisotope used in cancer therapy.
Medicine / Physics
Yttrium-90 Microspheres
Therapy for liver cancer.
Medicine
Yttrium-90 PET Scan
Imaging for therapeutic isotope tracking.
Medicine
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