A-band
Part of a muscle sarcomere that comprises several thick myosin filaments held between thinner actin filaments. It appears as a dark band when viewed under a microscope. Compare I-band. See also ...
abciximab
The Fab fragments of a monoclonal antibody directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on platelets that blocks platelet aggregation. Used as a short-term treatment to prevent thrombus ...
abdominal injury
Physical damage to the abdomen and its contents. The abdomen is particularly vulnerable to blows during contact and collision sports. Most blows to the abdomen result in nothing more damaging than ...
abdominal rigidity
An extreme tightness of the abdominal muscles detected when touching or pressing on the abdomen. A person's fear or nervousness about being touched (palpated) in the abdominal area may induce ...
abduction
Movement of a body segment (e.g. arm or leg) away from the midline of the body. The term also refers to the movement of fingers or toes when they are spread apart. Compare adduction.
abductor digiti minimi
A muscle originating on the pisiform bone in the wrist and inserting onto the ulnar base of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit. Its primary actions are abduction and flexion of the fifth ...
abductor pollicis brevis
A small muscle crossing the wrist. It helps to straighten the thumb and move the thumb away from the fingers. It is attached proximally to the trapezium and scaphoid bones (origin), and distally to ...
abductor pollicis longus
A muscle deep in the forearm. It helps to move the forearm sideways from the trunk. Its other actions include abduction and extension of the thumb. It is attached proximally to the posterior surface ...
abilities-to-skill transfer
The effect of practising an ability on the learning and performance of a skill. For example, there is likely to be some positive transfer when a gymnast who has developed the abilities of balance, ...
ability
In the context of skill acquisition, a relatively stable, largely inherited characteristic or trait that underpins and contributes to proficiency in a number of skills. Abilities can be perceptual, ...
ability-orientation
The tendency of an individual to emphasize circumstances that reflect highly on his or her ability, while belittling circumstances that reflect badly (for example, when a sportsperson attributes team ...
Ablakov test
A power test in which an athlete jumps as high as possible from a half-squat position. An automatic stop-tape, one-end attached to the athlete's waist and the other fixed to the floor, records the ...
abnormal quadriceps pull
A lateral pull of the quadriceps muscle on the patella which may result in overpronation, excessive internal rotation of the tibia, and associated knee problems. It is caused by an abnormally large ...
abrasion
(ă-bray-zhŏn)a minor wound in which the surface of the skin or a mucous membrane is worn away by rubbing or scraping.
absence
A transient loss of consciousness that may occur, for example, as a result of a physical blow.
absolute
Not relative; independent of other objects or factors. In sport, it often relates to units of strength, work, or energy that are not adjusted for individual differences, such as age, weight, and ...
absolute angle
Angular orientation of a body segment measured consistently in the same direction with respect to a single, fixed line of reference, either vertical or horizontal. Compare relative angle.
absolute dose
The amount of drug taken up by the body. Most drugs are designed to be swallowed and absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. Usually, not all the drug ingested is absorbed.
absolute load
The total resistance to a movement, irrespective of an individual's body size. Compare relative load.
