V02 max – The maximum volume of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise, a key measure of aerobic fitness.

Vagus nerve – A cranial nerve involved in parasympathetic control of heart rate and digestion.

Valgus – An outward angulation of a joint, often referring to knee alignment issues.

Valves – Structures in the heart and veins that prevent the backflow of blood.

Varus – An inward angulation of a joint, such as in bow-legged posture.

Vastus intermedius – One of the quadriceps muscles, located beneath the rectus femoris.

Vastus lateralis – The outermost quadriceps muscle, contributing to knee extension.

Vastus medialis – The innermost quadriceps muscle, important for knee joint stability.

Vector – A quantity with both magnitude and direction, used in biomechanics to describe force.

Velocity – The speed of something in a given direction, often used in motion analysis.

Ventilation – The process of moving air in and out of the lungs.

Ventilation rate – The number of breaths taken per minute.

Ventilatory threshold – The point during exercise when ventilation increases disproportionately to oxygen consumption.

Ventricles – The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the lungs and body.

Ventricular hypertrophy – Thickening of the ventricular walls, often a normal adaptation to aerobic training.

Verbal feedback – Spoken information given to an athlete about their performance.

Verification – The process of confirming data accuracy or physiological responses, especially in testing.

Vertebra – One of the individual bones making up the spinal column.

Vertebral column – The spine, which protects the spinal cord and supports body posture.

Vertical jump – A test measuring explosive leg power through jump height.

Vibration training – A training method using mechanical oscillations to stimulate muscle activity and circulation.

Visual acuity – The clarity or sharpness of vision, important in interceptive sports.

Visualisation – A mental rehearsal technique used to improve skill and confidence.

Visual feedback – Information received visually about one’s own performance or movement.

Visual learning – A preference for learning through images, demonstrations, or visual cues.

Visual motor coordination – The ability to link visual input with motor output, essential for reaction and accuracy.

Vital capacity – The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a full inhalation.

Vitamin – An essential micronutrient required in small amounts for various bodily functions.

Vitamin D – A fat-soluble vitamin essential for bone health and immune function, often synthesised through sunlight.

VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) – A type of lipoprotein that carries triglycerides in the blood.

Ventricular filling – The phase in the cardiac cycle when blood flows into the ventricles.

Ventricular depolarisation – The electrical activation of the ventricles, seen as the QRS complex on an ECG.

Vicarious experience – Learning or developing confidence by observing others' success or failure.

Viscera – The internal organs within the abdominal cavity, including the liver and intestines.

Visceral fat – Fat stored around internal organs, associated with increased health risks.

Viscosity – A fluid's resistance to flow, relevant in blood flow and joint lubrication.

Visible learning – An approach focused on making student progress and learning intentions clear, often used in PE.

Visuospatial skills – The ability to understand spatial relationships between objects, crucial in team sports.

VO₂ drift – A gradual increase in oxygen uptake during prolonged submaximal exercise.

VO₂ kinetics – The speed of change in oxygen uptake at the start of exercise.

Volume (training) – The total amount of work performed in a training session, typically sets × reps × load.

Voluntary muscle – Skeletal muscle under conscious control, used to produce movement.

Voluntary response – A deliberate action resulting from sensory input and decision-making.

Voluntary training – Structured physical activity undertaken by choice, not compulsory participation.

Volley – A strike or shot taken before the ball touches the ground, common in sports like volleyball and tennis.

Vortex – The spiral movement of air or fluid, often used to describe throwing mechanics or projectile flight.

Vertical plane – An anatomical division of the body, used to describe movement directions in analysis.

Vestibular system – The sensory system in the inner ear that helps control balance and spatial orientation.

Vestibular feedback – Sensory information from the inner ear used to maintain balance and posture.

Vibration sense – The body's ability to detect vibration, used in proprioception and injury assessment.

Vigilance – The ability to maintain concentration over long periods, essential in refereeing or endurance sports.

Vital signs – Basic health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.

Viscous resistance – The resistance encountered by fluid-like tissues or movement through a medium like water.

Vulnerability – A state where an athlete is more susceptible to injury, illness, or psychological stress.

Value expectancy theory – A motivation theory that links an individual’s belief in success to the value they place on it.

Vertical integration – A training strategy that develops all performance components simultaneously across a season.

Vertical axis – An imaginary line running top to bottom, used to describe rotational movement (e.g. spinning).

Visual cortex – The brain region that processes visual information, crucial in fast-paced sports.

Visual attention – The ability to focus the eyes and brain on relevant stimuli during performance.

Ventilator – A medical device supporting or replacing natural breathing, sometimes used in clinical recovery for athletes.

Vigour – A component of mood describing energy and enthusiasm, often linked to readiness to train.

Vertebrobasilar system – Arteries supplying the brainstem and cerebellum, relevant in balance and coordination.

Vaccine – A biological preparation that boosts immunity, important for athlete health and availability.

Ventral – A directional anatomical term meaning towards the front or belly side of the body.

Vertical loading – A method of resistance training where different muscle groups are trained in succession with little rest.

Vasodilation – The widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow during exercise or heat.

Vasoconstriction – The narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow during cold or stress.

Vascular shunt – The redistribution of blood flow from inactive to active tissues during exercise.

Vascular system – The network of arteries, veins, and capillaries that transport blood throughout the body.

Vascular compliance – The ability of blood vessels to expand and contract with pressure changes.

Vascularity – The appearance of veins under the skin, often increased through training and low body fat.

Vent – A design feature in sportswear to improve airflow and temperature control.

Velocity-based training – A method using movement speed to regulate resistance training intensity.

Vocal encouragement – Verbal motivation from a coach or teammate to boost effort or morale.

Viral load – The amount of virus present in the body, relevant during return-to-play decisions.

Vignette – A short scenario or case study used in teaching or assessment in sport contexts.

Viral infection – Illness caused by a virus, with implications for immune function and training plans.

Visuo-motor coordination – The ability to translate visual input into controlled motor output.

Vital signs monitoring – The routine checking of basic physiological functions to ensure athlete health.

VO₂ reserve – The difference between resting and maximal oxygen consumption, used in intensity prescription.

Vertical oscillation – The amount of upward movement during running, related to efficiency.

Variable practice – A skill development method that uses varied conditions to enhance adaptability.

Variable resistance – A type of strength training where resistance changes through the range of motion.

Vortex shedding – The aerodynamic effect influencing the flight of spinning balls in sports.