For advanced learners — master specialist terminology from sports science, elite training, and high-performance analysis.
Free Sports & Competition vocabulary flashcards at the C1 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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physiological
relating to the functions and processes of the human body during exercise
biomechanics
the study of the mechanical laws governing movement of the body in sport
doping
the use of banned substances to enhance athletic performance
anthropometric
relating to measurements of the human body used to assess athletes
periodisation
the systematic planning of training cycles to peak at the right competition
lactate threshold
the exercise intensity at which lactic acid builds up faster than the body can clear it
proprioception
the body's ability to sense its own position and movement in space
kinesthetic
relating to the sense of movement and body position felt through muscles and joints
hypertrophy
the increase in muscle size resulting from resistance training
ergogenic
tending to enhance physical performance, stamina, or recovery in sport
anaerobic
relating to energy produced without oxygen, used in very intense short bursts
criterion
a standard or principle used to judge or select athletes for a team or event
podium
the raised platform where the top three finishers receive their medals
parity
a state in which competitors or teams are roughly equal in ability
seeding
the ranking of players or teams before a tournament to keep the best apart in early rounds
overtraining syndrome
a condition in which excessive training causes declining performance and fatigue
VO2 max
the maximum rate at which the body can consume oxygen during intense exercise
neuromuscular
relating to the interaction between the nervous system and the muscles it controls
dehydration
a harmful loss of fluids from the body during prolonged physical activity
concussion protocol
a set of medical procedures followed when an athlete suffers a head injury
sports psychology
the study of how mental factors affect athletic performance and well-being
high-altitude training
a method of training at elevation to increase red blood cell production
recovery protocol
a structured plan for rest and rehabilitation after intense competition or injury
functional movement
exercise that trains the body for the specific demands of a chosen sport
endocrine system
the network of glands that produces hormones affecting energy, stress, and recovery
tactical periodisation
a coaching model that integrates physical, technical, and tactical training simultaneously
anabolic
relating to the building up of muscle tissue through metabolic processes
glycogen depletion
the exhaustion of stored carbohydrate energy in muscles during prolonged activity
isometric
relating to muscle contractions in which the muscle length stays the same
proprioceptive training
exercises designed to improve balance, coordination, and body-position awareness
sport-specific conditioning
physical preparation tailored precisely to the demands of one particular sport
reactive agility
the ability to change direction quickly in response to an unexpected stimulus
eccentric loading
a training method in which muscles are strengthened while lengthening under force
thermoregulation
the body's ability to maintain a stable internal temperature during exercise
motor pattern
a learned sequence of muscle movements stored in the brain and executed automatically