Aerobic capacity
The ability to use oxygen during sustained work; it is one part of a broader picture. It does not describe every kind of fitness or explain how a person responds to a specific day.
Performance glossary
A plain-language reference for terms that appear across Nectar. Definitions are deliberately compact, but each term belongs to a larger context: the person, the task, the environment and the reason for measuring.
Use the glossary to ask better questions, not to label yourself from a single observation.
Core terms
Training load
A way of describing the stress of exercise, often considering intensity, duration and frequency. Context such as poor sleep, heat or a demanding commute may influence how that load is experienced.
RPE
Rating of perceived exertion, a personal estimate of how hard an effort feels. It becomes more useful when the scale and activity are kept consistent.
Mobility
Available movement that can be accessed with control in a given context. A larger range is not automatically a more useful range for every task.
Terms in context
| Term | Simple meaning | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery | The process of returning toward readiness after a demand. | What else happened between sessions? |
| Intensity | How demanding an effort is relative to the person and task. | How was intensity estimated? |
| Volume | The amount of work, often described by time, distance or repetitions. | Can the volume fit the week? |
| Cadence | The rate of repeated movement, such as steps or pedal turns. | Does the rate change with fatigue? |
| Specificity | The relationship between practice and the task it is intended to support. | Where might the practice transfer? |
How to use a definition
- Read the term in the sentence where it appeared.
- Ask whether the writer is describing a measurement, a feeling, a task or an interpretation.
- Check what conditions were present: heat, terrain, sleep, equipment and time.
- Look for the decision the term is meant to inform.
- Seek qualified individual advice when the context is personal or concerning.
This process protects against a common mistake: treating a technical word as if it were a complete explanation.
“A definition opens a door; it does not tell you which room you are standing in.”
Terms become meaningful through examples, consistent observation and honest limits.
Words often confused
- Fitness and readiness: a broad capacity is not the same as how prepared someone feels today.
- Discomfort and pain: everyday language can blur an important distinction that deserves careful professional discussion.
- Effort and intensity: perceived effort is personal; intensity may be described with a task or measurement.
- Mobility and flexibility: access with control differs from passive range alone.
- Consistency and repetition: repeating a practice is useful only when the surrounding conditions are understood.
When a term remains unclear, send the page address and phrase to [email protected]. Editorial questions are normally acknowledged within 10 business days.
Glossary questions
Are these clinical definitions?
No. They are educational explanations written for general reading and should not replace a professional assessment.
Why do definitions include caveats?
Because a term can be accurate while still being incomplete. The caveat shows what the definition cannot establish by itself.
Can a term change meaning?
Usage can vary between disciplines, so the surrounding article and cited source should be considered.