ISSA CPT glossary: all 602 terms
Every term the course defines, by name, grouped by module and sorted A to Z. The app explains each one in our own words and tests you on it in rounds.
Use this list as a checklist: if a name means nothing to you, that module is where to start. A term taught in two modules appears in both.
Module 1: Fitness history and the profession
- ACE (American Council on Exercise)
- ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
- Aerobics
- Anthropometry
- Arthur Jones
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Ashtanga
- Biomechanics
- Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)
- Bodybuilding
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
- Certification
- Chronic Disease Management
- Client Assessment
- CrossFit
- Cultural Shift
- Distance Learning
- Eugen Sandow
- Exercise Science
- Functional Movement
- Functional Training
- Galen
- Group Exercise
- Gut Microbiome
- Gymnasium (Ancient Greece)
- HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
- Holistic Health
- Humanism
- ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association)
- Jack LaLanne
- Jane Fonda
- Jazzercise
- Joe Weider
- Joseph Pilates
- Kenneth Cooper
- Lifecycle Bike
- Lionel Strongfort
- Lionel University
- Mental Health and Exercise
- Metabolomics
- Myokines
- NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
- Neuroplasticity
- NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
- Olympic Games
- OPT Model
- Per Henrik Ling
- Personal Training
- Personal Training Ethos
- Physical Culture
- Physical Education
- Pilates
- Precision Exercise Medicine
- Precision Fitness
- Professionalization
- Program Design
- Renaissance Humanism
- Resistance Training
- Roman Fitness (Vegetius)
- Sarcopenia
- Standardization
- Structured Exercise
- Suspension Training
- Sustainability in Fitness
- Turnvereine
- Vegetius
- Vinyasa
- Virtual Reality (VR) Fitness
- Wearable Technology
- Yoga
Module 2: Anatomy, physiology and energy
- Acetylcholine (ACh)
- Actin
- Action Potential
- Active Recovery
- Anabolism
- Anatomical Position
- Anterior
- ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)
- ATP-PC System
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Bilateral
- Carbohydrates
- Cartilage
- Catabolism
- Cell
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Connective Tissue
- Cortisol
- Dendrites
- Distal
- Endomysium
- Epimysium
- Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
- Epithelial Tissue
- Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (EAT)
- Fascicle
- Fast-Twitch Fibers (Type IIx)
- Fats
- Frontal Plane
- Glycolytic System
- Growth Hormone
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Henneman’s Size Principle
- Hypertrophy
- Inferior
- Insulin
- Lactic Acid
- Lateral
- Ligament
- Medial
- Motor Unit
- Muscle Tissue
- Myelin Sheath
- Myosin
- Nervous Tissue
- Neurons
- Neurotransmitters
- Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT)
- Organ
- Organ System
- Organism
- Overtraining Syndrome
- Oxidative System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Passive Recovery
- Perimysium
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Posterior
- Proteins
- Proximal
- Recovery
- Resting Heart Rate
- Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
- Sagittal Plane
- Sensory Input
- Skeletal Muscle
- Sleep
- Sliding Filament Theory
- Slow-Twitch Fibers (Type I)
- Somatic Nervous System
- Stress Management
- Superior
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Synovial Joint
- Tendon
- Testosterone
- Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
- Tissue
- Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
- Transverse Plane
- Type IIa Fibers
- Unilateral
Module 3: Muscles, joint actions and movement
- Abduction
- Activation Exercises
- Adduction
- Agonist
- Antagonist
- Battle Ropes
- Biceps Brachii
- Bodyweight
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis
- Cable Systems
- Cardiovascular Equipment
- Circumduction
- Corrective Exercises
- Deltoid
- Dorsiflexion
- Erector Spinae
- Extension
- External Obliques
- External Rotation
- Flexion
- Foam Rollers
- Free Weights
- Gait
- Gastrocnemius
- Gluteus Maximus
- Hamstrings
- Hinge
- Instability Tools
- Internal Obliques
- Internal Rotation
- Isolation Exercises
- Joint Action
- Kettlebells
- Latissimus Dorsi
- Lunge
- Medicine Balls
- Mini Bands
- Modality
- Pectoralis Major
- Pectoralis Minor
- Plantarflexion
- Prime Mover
- Pull
- Push
- Quadriceps
- Reciprocal Inhibition
- Rectus Abdominis
- Resistance Bands
- Resistance Training Machines
- Rhomboids
- Rotation
- Rotator Cuff
- Scapular Depression
- Scapular Elevation
- Scapular Protraction
- Scapular Retraction
- Serratus Anterior
- Soleus
- Squat
- Stability Balls
- Stabilizer
- Suspension Trainers
- Synergist
- Tibialis Anterior
- Trapezius
- Treadmill
- Triceps Brachii
Module 4: Program design and coaching
- Acute Training Variables
- Adaptation
- Agility
- Analogies
- Autonomous Phase
- Bracing the Core
- Cognitive Phase
- Common Form Mistakes
- Controlled Movements
- Core Stability
- Core Strength
- Cueing
- Deliberate Practice
- Demonstration
- Density
- Dynamic Balance
- Dynamic Demonstrations
- Dynamic Stretching
- Endurance
- Exercise Order
- Exercise Selection
- External Cues
- FIT-PRO Coaching Model
- FITT Principle
- Flexibility
- Foundations
- Foundations Phase
- Frequency
- Full Range of Motion
- General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
- Hands-On Adjustments
- Hypertrophy
- Individualization
- Integration
- Integration Phase
- Intensity
- Internal Cues
- Joint Stacking
- Kinetic Chain
- Load
- Mind-Muscle Connection
- Mobility
- Modification
- Motor Learning
- Motor Unit Recruitment
- Muscular Endurance
- Muscular Hypertrophy
- Muscular Power
- Muscular Strength
- One-Repetition Maximum (1RM)
- Optimization
- Optimization Phase
- Outcome-Based Language
- Outcome-Based Programming
- Overcompensation (Adaptation)
- Overload
- PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)
- Principle of Individual Differences
- Principle of Progressive Overload
- Principle of Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID Principle)
- Principle of Specificity
- Principle of Use/Disuse (Reversibility)
- Progression
- Progression Phase
- Quickness
- Range of Motion (ROM)
- Rate of Force Development
- Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- Reactive Balance
- Real-Time Feedback
- Recovery
- Reinforcement
- Repetition with Variation
- Repetitions (Reps)
- Reps in Reserve (RIR)
- Rest Intervals
- Results
- SAQ
- Self-Myofascial Release (SMR)
- Sets
- Skill Acquisition
- Specificity
- Speed
- Static Balance
- Static Stretching
- Task-Oriented Coaching
- Tempo
- Time Under Tension (TUT)
- Training Design
- Training Outcomes
- Training Phase
- Type of Stress
- Verbal Cues
- Visual Cues
- Volume
Module 5: Consultation and assessment
- Active Listening
- Assessment
- Back Pain
- Baseline
- Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
- Biometric Data
- Body Composition
- Body Fat Percentage
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- CARE Method
- Chronic Conditions
- Circumference Measurements
- Client Health Questionnaire
- Connection
- Detailed Health Profile
- DEXA Scan
- Empowerment
- Feedback
- Fitness Assessment Software
- Flexibility Assessment
- Follow-Up
- Foundations Phase
- Goal Setting
- Health and Medical History
- Health History
- Initial Consultation
- Injuries and Medical Conditions
- Joint Problems
- Lifestyle Factors
- Medical Clearance
- Metabolic Disorders
- Movement Metrics
- Objective Data
- Objective Feedback
- One-on-One Check-Ins
- Open-Ended Questions
- Orthopedic Concerns
- PAR-Q
- Performance Data
- Plateau
- Pre-Consultation Prep
- Professional Evaluation
- Progress Assessments
- Progress Photos
- Rapport
- Reassessment
- Recovery Speed
- Reflection
- Repetition Counts
- Resting Heart Rate
- Risk Stratification
- SMART Goals
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Strength Test
- Subjective Data
- Subjective Feedback
- Tracking Frequency
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Module 6: Nutrition
- Amino Acids
- Blood Glucose Regulation
- Brain Function and Cognitive Health
- Calcium
- Carbohydrates
- Chloride
- Chromium
- Complementary Proteins
- Complete Proteins
- Complex Carbohydrates
- Copper
- Dehydration
- Dietary Fiber
- Disaccharides
- Electrolytes
- Energy Density
- Euhydration
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins
- Glucagon
- Glucose
- Glycogen
- Hormone Production
- Hydrating Foods
- Hydration
- Incomplete Proteins
- Insulin
- Iodine
- Iron
- Macronutrients
- Magnesium
- Major Minerals
- Monosaccharides
- Monounsaturated Fats
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids
- Overhydration
- Phosphorus
- Polysaccharides
- Polyunsaturated Fats
- Potassium
- Protein
- Protein Deficiency
- Protein Sparing
- Protein Timing
- Sarcopenia
- Saturated Fats
- Selenium
- Simple Carbohydrates
- Sodium
- Soy Products
- Temperature Regulation
- Trace Minerals
- Trans Fats
- Triglycerides
- Urine Color
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-Complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Water
- Water-Rich Foods
- Water-Soluble Vitamins
- Zinc
Module 7: Special populations
- Adaptive Equipment
- Aerobic Exercise
- Arrhythmia
- Arthritis
- Balance Training
- Beta Blockers
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
- Calorie Deficit
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Chair-Based Exercises
- Chronic Back Pain
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Disability
- Empathy
- Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)
- Flexibility Exercises
- Functional Exercises
- Gestational Diabetes
- Heart Failure
- HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
- Hypertension
- Insulin Resistance
- Joint Replacements
- Lean Muscle Mass
- Low-Impact Activities
- Low-Impact Aerobic Activities
- Medical Clearance
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Mind-Body Exercise
- Mobility Assessment
- Neurological conditions
- Neuroplasticity
- Obesity
- Orthopedic Conditions
- Osteoporosis
- Physical Activity
- Proprioception
- Range of Motion
- Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- Rehabilitative Exercise
- Resistance Training
- Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
- Sarcopenia
- Seated Strength Training
- Talk Test
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Valsalva Maneuver
Module 8: Behavior change and motivational interviewing
- Action
- Action Stage
- Affirmations
- Ambivalence
- Autonomy
- Behavior
- Behavior Change
- Behavioral Processes
- Behavioral Processes of Change
- Change Talk
- Cognitive Processes of Change
- Collaboration (MI Principle)
- Commitment Language
- Competence
- Complex Reflection
- Confidence Ruler
- Consciousness Raising
- Contemplation
- Contemplation Stage
- Counterconditioning
- Decisional Balance
- Dramatic Relief
- Environmental Control
- Environmental Influence
- Environmental Reevaluation
- Evocation (MI Principle)
- Evocative Questions
- Helping Relationships
- Identity-Based Coaching
- Importance Scaling
- Intrinsic Motivation
- Maintenance
- Maintenance Stage
- Motivation
- Motivational Interviewing
- OARS
- Open-Ended Questions
- Outcome Expectations
- Precontemplation
- Precontemplation Stage
- Preparation
- Preparation Stage
- Processes of Change
- Reciprocal Determinism
- Reflective Listening
- Reinforcement Management
- Relapse Prevention
- Relatedness
- Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
- Self-Efficacy
- Self-Liberation
- Self-Reevaluation
- Self-Reinforcement
- Simple Reflection
- SMART Goals
- Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)
- Social Liberation
- Stage-Matched Interventions
- Stage-Matching
- Stages of Change
- Stimulus Control
- Summarizing
- Sustain Talk
- Termination Stage
- Transtheoretical Model (TTM)
Module 9: Consultations, sales and your brand
- Accountability
- Accountability Partner
- Acknowledgment
- Active Listening
- Authenticity
- Brand Identity
- Clear Agreements
- Client Objection
- Collaboration
- Commitment
- Content Creation
- Core Values
- Digital Presence
- Empathic Communication
- Empathy
- Empowering Language
- Intrinsic Motivation
- Long-Term Goal
- Long-Term Vision
- Message Clarity
- Milestone
- Mirroring
- Motivational Interviewing
- Niche Marketing
- Open-Ended Questions
- Personal Brand
- Personal Vision
- Persuasive Language
- Positive Reinforcement
- Reflective Questions
- Reframing
- Reputation Management
- Securing the Close
- Short-Term Goal
- Small Wins
- Social Proof
- Storytelling
- Structured Consultation
- Structured Follow-Ups
- Supportive Environment
- Trainer Pressure
- Trust
- Vision Board
- Vision Statement
Module 10: Technology, online coaching and career
- Accountability
- Advanced Certification
- Applied Experience
- Behavior Tracking App
- Burnout
- Career Advancement
- Career Growth
- Career Longevity
- Client-Centered
- Continuing Education
- Credibility
- Digital Coaching
- Diversify Your Skillset
- Empathy
- Empowerment
- Fitness App
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Hybrid Training
- Lifelong Learning
- Mentorship
- Networking
- Objective Data
- Online Training
- Personal Growth Plan
- Personalization
- Professional Development
- Professional Mastery
- Recovery and Boundaries
- Reflect Often
- Reflection
- Remote Coaching
- Smartwatch
- Subjective Feedback
- Technology-Assisted Coaching
- Trainer Traits
- Virtual Coaching Tools
- Wearable Technology
- Wisdom
- Workshop
Study all 602 terms
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