Lisa Carden - Dictionary of Sport and Exercise Science

Anoun a human blood type of the ABO system, containing the A antigen. Someone with this type of blood can donate to people of the same group or of the AB group, and can receive blood from people with this type or with type O.

ABnoun a human blood type of the ABO system, containing the A and B antigens. Someone with this type of blood can donate to people of the same group and receive blood from people with this type or with type O, A or B.

A-bandnoun a visible dark band in striated muscle

ABCabbreviation airway, breathing, circulation

abdomennoun a space inside the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver and other vital organs

abdominal crunchnoun same as crunch

abdominal fatnoun fat that is deposited mainly on the abdominal area, thought to indicate a higher risk of heart disease

abdominal musclespluralnoun same as abdominals

abdominal rigiditynoun extreme tightness of the abdominal muscles caused by injury or insufficient warm-up

abdominal rollernoun a piece of gym equipment that works the abdominal muscles

abdominalspluralnoun the muscles found in the abdomen, particularly the internal and external obliques

abdominal trainingnoun a workout that concentrates on the abdominal muscles, especially with the aim of developing a six-pack

abducens nervenoun the sixth cranial nerve, which controls the muscle which makes the eyeball turn outwards. Also called abducent nerve

abducentadjective used for describing a muscle that brings parts of the body away from each other or moves them away from the central line of the body or a limb. Compare adducent

abducent nervenoun same as abducens nerve

abductverb to pull a leg or arm in a direction that is away from the centre line of the body, or to pull a toe or finger away from the central line of a leg or arm. Compare adduct

abductionnoun movement of a limb away from the body

abductornoun a muscle that pulls the body or a limb away from a midpoint or midline

abilitynoun a natural tendency to do something successfully or well a high degree of intelligence or competence a particular gift for doing something well

ability-to-skill transfernoun the fact that an ability someone develops in learning one new skill can be extended to learn other skills

ablationnoun the removal of diseased or unwanted tissue from the body by surgical or other means

ableadjective physically or mentally equipped to do something having the necessary resources or talent to do something

able-bodiedadjective healthy and physically strong

ableismnoun discrimination in favour of those who are not physically or mentally disabled

Ablokov testnoun a test of an athlete's ability to jump from a squat position

ABO systemnoun a system of classifying blood types. blood type

abrasion