Reference
Key terms in plain English.
Aerobic capacity
The ability to use oxygen during sustained work, influenced by heart, lungs, blood and muscle.
Progressive overload
A gradual increase in a training demand, balanced against recovery and technique.
RPE
Rating of perceived exertion: a personal description of how hard a session feels.
Deload
A planned reduction in training demand to support adaptation and freshness.
Mobility
Available movement combined with the control needed to use it.
Readiness
A changing snapshot of capacity shaped by sleep, stress and recent workload.
Use definitions as starting points
Terms are useful only when attached to context. Ask what was measured, who was studied and what decision the term is helping you make.
Read the research deskTerms in context
A definition becomes useful when it helps a reader interpret a session, compare two sources or ask a more precise question. The terms below are descriptive rather than instructions. Their meaning can shift with age, training history, climate and the measurement method used.
- Intensity: the relative difficulty of an effort, considered alongside duration and recovery.
- Volume: the amount of work completed, such as time, distance, repetitions or sets.
- Frequency: how often a type of work appears in a week or training cycle.
- Adaptation: a change that develops over time in response to repeated, manageable demands.
| Term | Useful question | Common limitation |
|---|---|---|
| RPE | How demanding did the effort feel? | Memory and context can influence the rating. |
| Mobility | Can a position be reached and controlled? | Range alone does not describe strength. |
| Readiness | How prepared does today feel? | It changes and is not a diagnosis. |
How to use the glossary
Good terminology narrows a question; it does not replace observation, context or qualified advice.
- Write down the term exactly as it appears.
- Ask what was measured and over what period.
- Compare the definition with your own situation cautiously.
Return to the glossary when an article introduces an unfamiliar phrase, then follow the linked topic for a fuller explanation.