Sports doctors, like all doctors, often use long and technical words for quite simple injuries. There is no need to worry; just look up that word here (see also Chapter 2, A–Z of self and medical treatments).

Abdominals Stomach muscles.

A/C joint/acromioclavicular joint Joint between collarbone and shoulder blade; forms step in shoulder if displaced.

Acromion Bony tip of shoulder; tip of shoulderblade.

Aerobics Continuous exercise at three-quarter speed and below; raises pulse rate to improve heart and lung function and strengthen muscles for greater stamina.

Amenorrhoea Absence of periods (see page 25).

Amino acids Building blocks for protein, which may be of benefit in overtraining syndrome and sprint work. Some have produced bad reactions.

Anaemia Insufficient red cells in blood. Small measured variations do not alter athletic performance. May have number of causes, but check with doctor, especially if periods heavy.

Anaerobic Muscle exercise without oxygen; only lasts short time, with high pulse rate, e.g. explosive events like sprinting, weight lifting.

Anterior Front.

Arthritis Greek for inflammation of the joint. Surface of joint wears, resulting in pain. Wear and tear of cartilage and bone of joint may be from overuse, damage or ageing (osteoarthritis), or from disease such as rheumatoid, psoriatic arthritis, or Lyme disease.

Arthrogram X-ray CT or MRI scan technique for joints using air and/or dye injected into joint, to reveal torn cartilage or tear.

Arthroscope Technique using fibre optics to probe complex joints such as knee, shoulder, ankle and wrist to track down injury and even operate. Sort of telescope that can look into joint. Arthroscopy is name of operation, a type of key-hole surgery.

Asthma Constriction of tubes to lungs, making breathing difficult. May be allergic or exercise induced (see Chapter 1, Some sensible tips).

Biceps Bulging muscle on front of upper arm, the ‘Popeye muscle’, used to bend elbow.

Biceps femoris One of hamstring muscles on the outside of the leg.

Blood doping An illegal means of increasing the number of red blood cells in an athlete’s body. First, blood is removed, concentrated and stored. When athlete’s own blood supply has returned to previous levels, the stored blood is transfused back. This increases the amount of red blood cells and the capacity to carry more oxygen.

Capsule Joints contain fluid, which is kept in the joint by a bag. This is the capsule. Thickened areas form the ligaments. See: Ligament.

Cardiovascular To do with heart and circulation. In sporting terms, implies ability to move oxygen from lungs to muscles and to get rid of carbon dioxide, body’s exhaust fumes.

Cartilage Smooth, slippery substance that prevents two ends of bones from grating. May become torn. All moving joints have this cartilage, known as articular, chondral or hyaline. However, the knee has an extra shock absorber, the meniscus. Confusingly, patients usually refer to this as ‘cartilage’ (see Chapter 3, Knee). Complete removal leads to arthritis, so surgeons repair a tear or try to remove as little of the meniscus as possible.

Chondromalacia Roughening of slippery articular cartilage surface. Best known is chondromalacia patellae, or roughening of underside of kneecap.

Clavicle Collarbone.

Closed chain exercises Physiotherapy/physical therapy term for exercising muscles; hand or foot remains still while the body is moved (i.e. squats, pull ups, chair raises, etc.).

Concentric Muscle working as it shortens, e.g. biceps lifting drink from table.

Congenital From birth, or within the genes.

Conjoined tendon Tendon of abdominal muscles that attaches to front of pelvis; weakness or tear can result in footballer’s groin or hernia.

Contrast baths Using heat followed by cold to increase blood flow.

Contusion Bruise.

Core stability The ability to lock the spine by working particular stomach (transversus, not the six pack) and back (multifidis) muscles.

Costal To do with ribs.