Category: A
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All-or-none principle
Either all of the muscle fibers in a motor until contract, or else none contract. When a motor neuron is stimulated, all of the muscle fibers in that motor unit contract to their fullest extent or do not contract at all.
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Alignment
Proper posture. The arrangement of something in a straight line, or in the correct position in relation to something else. The act of arranging in a straight line.
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Alcohol
An organic chemical in which one or more hydroxyl (OH) groups are attached to carbon (C) atoms in place of hydrogen (H) atoms. Alcohol is not considered a nutrient, but it does contain seven calories per gram. Typical symptoms include maladaptive behavioral changes such as inappropriate aggressive or sexual behavior, lability of mood, and impaired…
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Agility
The ability to rapidly and fluently change body positioning during movement. Ability to start, stop, and move the body quickly and in different directions. The ability to move quickly and with ease.
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Advanced transition
A transition that changes planes and switches between one- and two-footed moves without passing through neutral position. Advanced transitions might also feature a change in impact level or extreme changes in body positioning.
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A chemical compound that is the most immediate chemical source of energy for a cell. The coenzyme that acts as an intermediate between energy-yielding (catabolic) metabolism (the oxidation of metabolic fuels) and energy expenditure as physical work and in synthetic (anabolic) reactions. Intracellular carrier of chemical energy produced by the body for muscular work. Stored…
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Adduction
Moving a limb toward the midline of the body. The act of drawing toward a center or median line, abduction; adduct. The movement of a part of the body towards the midline or towards a neigh-bouring part. Moving of a part toward the body (esp. toward a line that would pass through the body’s center…
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Additional insured
A certificate of insurance stating that a person or entity has been added to your liability insurance policy for purposes of coverage. A party that is covered by another party’s insurance policy.
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Acute injury
An injury with sudden onset and short duration.
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Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Activities an individual performs in daily living, including self-care, work, and leisure. Any daily activity performed for self-care, such as feeding oneself, bathing, grooming, and dressing. Health professionals routinely refer to the ability or inability to perform ADLs as a measurement of the functional status of a person. This measurement is useful for assessing the…