Aerobic
In the presence of oxygen aerobic metabolism utilizes oxygen.

Aerobic capacity
The body’s maximal capacity for using oxygen to produce energy during maximal exertion. Also known as VO2 max.

Agonistic muscles
Muscles directly engaged in a muscular contraction.

Anaerobic
In the absence of oxygen ; non-oxidation metabolism.

Anaerobic endurance
The ability resulting from the combination of speed, skills and endurance allowing the athlete to maintain a high cadence for an extended period of time.

Anaerobic threshold
When aerobic metabolism no longer supplies all the need for energy; energy is produced anaerobically indicated by an increase in Lactic acid. Also known as Lactate threshold.

Anatomical adaptation
The initial phase of strength training.

Antagonistic Muscles
Muscles that have an opposite effect on movers (see ‘agonistic muscles’), or ‘against’ muscles, by opposing their contraction. For example the triceps is an antagonistic muscle for the biceps.

Base period
The period during which the basic abilities of endurance, speed skills and force are emphasized.

Bonk
A state of extreme exhaustion during a workout caused mainly by the depletion of glycogen in the muscles.

Breakaway
A rider or group of riders that rides away from the main pack.

Build period
The specific preparation mesocycle during which high intensity training in the form of muscular endurance, anaerobic endurance, and power is emphasized and endurance, force and speed skills are maintained.

Capillaries
A fine network of small vessels located between arteries and veins where exchanges between tissue and blood occur.

Carbohydrate loading
A dietary procedure that elevates muscle glycogen stores.

Cardiorespiratory system
Cardiovascular system and lungs.

Cardiovascular system
Heart, blood and blood vessels.

Chase
The attempt to catch a breakaway.

Circuit training
Selected exercises or activities performed rapidly in sequence; used in weight training.

Criterium
A road race that is usually held in city streets or in parks. The course is usually 1mile or less and is marked by short straights and tight corners.

Cross training
Participating in one sport to train for another.

Duration
The length of time of a given workout.

Endurance
The ability to persist despite the onset of fatigue.

Ergogenic aid
A substance or phenomenon that can improve athletic performance.

Fast-twitch fiber
A muscle fiber characterized by fast contraction time, high anaerobic capacity and low aerobic capacity, all making it suitable for high-power-output activities.

Force
The ability of a muscle or muscle group to overcome a resistance.

Frequency
The number of times per week that one trains.

Glucose
Simple sugar.

Glycogen
The form in which glucose is stored in the muscles and the liver.

Growth hormone
A hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates growth and development.

Hamstring
The muscle on the back of the thigh that flexes the knee and extends the hip.

Intensity
The qualitative element of training such as speed skills, maximum force and power.

Interval training
A system of high intensity work marked by short but regularly repeated periods of work stress interspersed with periods of recovery.

Jump
A sudden burst of speed that provides the acceleration for a sprint.

Lactate
Formed with lactic acid from the muscles gives off a hydrogen atom upon entering the bloodstream.

Lactate threshold
The point during exercise of increasing intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels. Also known as anaerobic threshold.

Lactic acid
A by-product of the lactic acid system resulting from the incomplete breakdown of glucose in the production of energy.

Limiter
A race specific weakness.

Long, slow distance training
A form of continuous training in which the athlete performs at a relatively low intensity.

Macrocycle
A period of training including several mesocycles; usually an entire season.

Maximum strength
The phase of strength training during which loads gradually increase upto certain goal levels.

Maximum transition
The phase of strength training that provides a transition between the anatomical adaptation and maximum strength phases.

Mesocycle
A period of training generally two to six weeks long.

Microcycle
A period of training approximately one week long.

Motor-pacing
Riding behind a motorcycle or other vehicle that breaks the wind.

Muscular endurance
The ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated contractions for a long period of time while bearing a load. The combination of force and endurance abilities.

Overload, principle of
A training load that challenges body’s current level of fitness.

Overtraining
Extreme fatigue, both physical and mental, caused by training at a volume or intensity higher than that to which the body can adapt.

Peak period
The mesocycle during which volume of training is reduced and intensity is proportionally increased, allowing the athlete to reach high levels of fitness.

Periodization
A process of structuring training into periods.

Power
The ability to apply maximum force in the shortest time possible.

Preparation period
The mesocycle during which the athlete begins to train for the coming season; usually marked by the use of cross training.

Progression, principle of
The theory that workload must be gradually increased, accompanied by intermittent periods of recovery.

Quadriceps
The large muscle in front of the thigh.

Race period
The mesocycle during which the workload is decreased, allowing the athlete to compete in high priority races.

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
A subjective assessment of how hard one is working.

Recovery interval
The relief period between work intervals within an interval workout.

Repetition
The number of work intervals within a set.

Repetition maximum
The maximum load that a muscle group can lift in one attempt. Also called ‘One rep max (1RM)’

Road race
A mass start race that goes from point to point, covers one large loop, or is held in a circuit longer than those used for criteriums.

Set
The total number of repititions performed before an extensive recovery interval is taken.

Slow-twitch fiber
A muscle fiber charterized by slow contraction time, low anaerobic capacity and high aerobic capacity all making it suitable for low-power endurance activities.

Specificity, principle of
The theory that training must stress the systems critical for optimal performance in order to achieve the desired training adaptations.

Speed skill
In cycling, the ability to turn the cranks quickly and efficiently.

Stage race
A multiday event consisting of road races, time trials and often criteriums.

Strength maintenance
The phase of strength training during which strength is maintained.

Tapering
A reduction in training intensity and volume prior to a major competition.

Time trial
A race against the clock in which individual riders start at set intervals.

Transition period
The mesocycle during which the workload and structure of traning are greatly reduced, allowing for physical and psychological recovery from training and racing.

Ventilatory threshold
The point during increasing exertion at which breathing first becomes labored. Roughly corresponds with lactate threshold.

VO2 max
The maximal capacity for oxygen consumption by the body during maximal exertion, also known as aerobic power and maximal oxygen consumption.

Volume
A quantitative element of training, such as miles or hours of training within a given time.

Work interval
High intensity efforts separated by recovery intervals.

Workload
Measured stress applied in training through the combination of frequency, intensity and duration.

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