Waist-to-hip ratio – A measure of fat distribution used to assess cardiovascular health risk.

Warm-up – A preparatory phase involving light activity and mobility to prepare the body for exercise.

Washout period – A rest phase in training or research allowing previous effects to dissipate.

Water balance – The state where fluid intake equals fluid loss, essential for performance and health.

Water-soluble vitamins – Vitamins (like B-complex and C) that dissolve in water and must be consumed regularly.

Water intoxication – A dangerous condition caused by excessive water intake diluting body electrolytes.

Watt – A unit of power measuring the rate of energy output, often used in cycling.

Wave summation – Increased muscle force caused by rapidly repeated stimuli before relaxation occurs.

Wave loading – A strength training method that alternates heavy and light sets to maximise adaptation.

Weakness – A lack of strength or activation in a muscle group, often assessed in rehab.

Weather acclimatisation – Physiological adaptation to training in different climates or temperatures.

Weber–Fechner law – A principle describing the relationship between stimulus intensity and sensory perception.

Weight – A measure of gravitational force acting on a mass, often used interchangeably with “mass” in fitness.

Weight-bearing exercise – Activities that force the body to work against gravity, strengthening bones and muscles.

Weight classification – Grouping athletes by body mass in sports like boxing or wrestling to ensure fairness.

Weight gain – An increase in body mass, which may include muscle, fat, or water.

Weight loss – A decrease in body mass, often targeted through diet and training.

Weight management – Strategies to control body weight for performance or health.

Weight training – A form of resistance training using external loads to build strength or muscle.

Weight transfer – The shift of body weight during movement to maintain balance or generate force.

Well-being – A holistic measure of mental, emotional, and physical health in athletes.

Wellness – A proactive state of health, involving lifestyle behaviours like exercise, sleep, and nutrition.

White blood cells – Components of the immune system that protect against infection and aid recovery.

White fibre – A fast-twitch muscle fibre adapted for powerful, short-duration activity.

White matter – Areas of the nervous system made up of myelinated nerve fibres, involved in coordination and signal speed.

Whole learning – Practising a skill in its complete form, suitable for simpler or continuous tasks.

Whole-part-whole – A teaching approach where the skill is practised fully, broken down, then reassembled.

Whole body vibration – A training method that uses platform vibrations to stimulate muscle activity.

Whole muscle – A term describing the complete muscle structure as opposed to individual fibres.

Wind chill – The cooling effect of wind on exposed skin, increasing heat loss during outdoor activity.

Wind resistance – Air resistance that athletes must overcome, especially in running or cycling.

Wingate test – A 30-second maximal cycling test used to assess anaerobic power and capacity.

Winstrol – A synthetic anabolic steroid banned in sport due to performance-enhancing effects.

Wobble board – A balance tool used in rehab and training to improve proprioception and joint stability.

Wolff’s law – A principle stating that bones adapt to the forces placed upon them, strengthening with load.

Work – The product of force and distance (Work = Force × Distance), relevant in physical performance.

Work-to-rest ratio – A training variable comparing activity duration to recovery time, used in interval training.

Work capacity – The total amount of work an athlete can perform before fatigue.

Work ethic – An athlete’s attitude towards training, including discipline, effort, and commitment.

Work rate – The amount of work done per unit of time, often used to monitor intensity.

Working memory – A part of short-term memory used to process and store information during learning.

Wrist – A joint between the forearm and hand involved in many sport-specific movements.

Wrist flexors – Muscles that bend the wrist, important in grip strength and throwing motions.

Wrist extensors – Muscles that straighten the wrist, balancing the forearm and assisting in racquet sports.

Wrist strap – A supportive tool used in weightlifting or rehabilitation to stabilise the wrist.

Wrestling – A sport involving grappling and strength, often studied for its physiological and biomechanical demands.

Wicking fabric – Athletic material designed to draw moisture away from the body to improve thermoregulation.

Withdrawal – The removal or exit of a participant from an event or study, often for health or ethical reasons.

Withdrawal symptoms – Negative physiological or emotional effects following the end of a habit or substance use, relevant in overreliance on supplements.

Within-subject design – A research design where the same participant experiences all conditions or treatments.

Wobble cushion – An unstable seat used to train balance and core strength, especially in rehab or school settings.

Work economy – The efficiency with which the body performs tasks at submaximal intensity.

Weighted vest – A tool that adds load to the body during training to increase intensity.

Warm-down – A post-exercise routine aimed at gradually lowering heart rate and aiding recovery.

Whole team analysis – The assessment of performance trends and data across an entire team.

Weight distribution – The way mass is spread across the body or equipment, affecting balance and movement.

Walk test – A submaximal aerobic fitness assessment using a timed walking protocol.

Wattbike – A stationary bike equipped with precise power and performance tracking, often used in elite training.

Windup – The preparatory movement in throwing or pitching, contributing to power generation.

Wing position – A role in team sports that typically involves wide-field play and speed, such as in rugby or football.

Warm-up psychology – Mental preparation strategies used alongside physical warm-up to improve readiness.

Work sample – A snapshot of performance data collected during live play or training for feedback or analysis.

Wrist mobility – The range of motion available at the wrist joint, important for functional movement.

Weighted implement – A sport-specific training tool that is heavier than the standard version, used to develop strength and technique.

Weightlifting – An Olympic sport focused on lifting maximal weights in the snatch and clean & jerk.

Weight-to-power ratio – A performance measure comparing body mass to power output.

Water retention – The storage of excess fluid in tissues, which can impact performance or weight class.

Wet bulb temperature – A measure combining heat and humidity to assess environmental stress on the body.

Wholemeal – A type of carbohydrate source containing the entire grain, offering better nutritional value.

Work stimulus – The training load or effort that drives physical adaptation.

Wheelchair sports – Adaptive sports for athletes with physical disabilities, with unique physiological and biomechanical considerations.

Wing span – The distance from fingertip to fingertip when arms are extended, sometimes used in anthropometric profiling.

Weightlifting belt – Equipment worn around the waist to support the lower back during heavy lifting.

Walking gait – The cycle of movements involved in walking, analysed in rehab or performance assessments.

Weight-bearing status – A clinical classification of how much load a joint can safely tolerate post-injury.

WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency, responsible for promoting clean sport and monitoring banned substances.

White muscle fibre – An older term for fast-twitch fibres, responsible for powerful, short bursts of effort.

Weight maintenance – Sustaining body weight within a healthy or performance-related range through training and nutrition.