A.D.P. (Adenosine Diphosphate): Product formed when ATP releases its energy for cellular work.

A.T.P. (Adenosine Triphosphate): Cellular energy carrier synthesized through aerobic and anaerobic reactions. Muscle contraction uses ATP.

Aerobic: Refers to activity performed in the presence of oxygen. An aerobic activity is moderate in intensity and fueled by the aerobic energy system.

Aerobic Reaction: Oxidation of energy‑carrying nutrients using oxygen. These reactions take place in the mitochondria.

Aerobic Threshold: Corresponds to VT1. The intensity at which breathing begins to accelerate (start of hyperventilation). Often confused with the anaerobic threshold, leading to training inconsistencies.

Aerobic Zone: Heart rate zone where you can still hold a conversation. About 60–75% of HRmax.

Anaerobic Alactic Reaction: Chemical reaction that synthesizes ATP from creatine phosphate without oxygen.

Anaerobic Capacity: A cyclist’s ability to maintain effort beyond the anaerobic threshold (SV2).

Anaerobic Lactic Reaction: Chemical reaction that synthesizes ATP from blood glucose or glycogen without oxygen, producing lactic acid.

Anaerobic Threshold: Corresponds to VT2. The intensity at which lactate accumulates faster than it can be cleared. Oxygen supply becomes insufficient to sustain the effort.

Base Training (Foncier): Period of returning to training after a break or at the start of the season. Low‑intensity rides (~65–70% HRmax) that build the foundation for future harder sessions.

BCQ (Daily Caloric Needs): Daily caloric requirements.

Cadence (Vélocité): Primary quality in cycling. Ability to pedal at high revolutions per minute. High cadence improves efficiency, reduces muscular fatigue, and allows faster accelerations.

Calorie (cal): Unit of heat equal to the energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1°C. One calorie equals 4.18 joules.

Capillarization: Level of blood vessel and capillary supply in muscle fibers, important for oxygenation and performance.

Carbohydrates: Complex sugars with slow intestinal absorption and simple sugars with rapid absorption.

CP (Critical Power): Theoretical power one can maintain indefinitely. Mathematically, it is the asymptote of the power‑time relationship.

Cycle (Training Cycle): A period during which training methods with similar objectives are used. It consists of mesocycles and microcycles.

ECG (Electrocardiogram): Printed recording of the heart’s electrical activity.

Energy System: The mechanism the body uses to produce energy. The intensity and duration of effort determine which system is used.

EPOC (Excess Post‑Exercise Oxygen Consumption): English term referring to oxygen debt.

Essential Fatty Acids: Commonly called “good fats.” They are essential for proper body function (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil).

Fartlek: Free‑form training combining all types of specific workouts: short, medium or long intervals, speed work, strength, cadence, etc.

Fast Sugars: Simple molecules rapidly absorbed by the body. Useful for a quick boost, for example 5 minutes before a climb or at the end of a race. Warning: outside physical activity, they are instantly stored as fat.

FTP (Functional Threshold Power): The power one can sustain for one hour.

Glycogen: A polysaccharide made of thousands of glucose molecules. It is the body’s carbohydrate storage form.

GPP (General Physical Preparation): Aims to develop basic physical qualities: endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, coordination.

Homeostasis: The body’s ability to maintain internal balance despite external constraints.

HR (Heart Rate): Number of heartbeats per minute.

HRmax (Maximum Heart Rate): Depends on genetics, training level, and the sport practiced.

HRV (Heart Rate Variability): Variation in milliseconds between two heartbeats.

IF (Intensity Factor): Ratio of NP to FTP. Measures intensity but not training load.

IT (Interval Training): Alternation of intense efforts and active recovery.

Joule (J): Unit of energy representing the kinetic energy of a 1 kg mass moving at 1 m/s.

Lactatemia: Blood concentration of lactate (lactic acid).

Lactic Acid: End product of anaerobic lactic reactions occurring during intense muscular work.

MAP / PMA (Maximal Aerobic Power): Power output at which maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) is reached.

MAS / VMA (Maximal Aerobic Speed): Running speed above which most energy comes from anaerobic pathways.

Mesocycle: A training period with a specific sub‑objective. It generally lasts 4 to 8 weeks.

Microcycle: Usually lasts one week. It defines a set of training sessions forming one link in a full‑season plan.

Mitochondria: Organelles providing the energy needed for cellular function.

NP (Normalized Power): Accounts for the nonlinear physiological response to effort. Calculated over a rolling 30‑second window.

Power: Product of cadence and force (V × F = P).

RHR (Resting Heart Rate): Measured by averaging five mornings in a row after lying down for 5 minutes.

RQ (Respiratory Quotient): RQ=VCO2VO2. Indicates which substrate is used for energy.

RR (Respiratory Rate): Number of breathing cycles per minute.

Saturated Fatty Acids: Responsible for cardiovascular problems and therefore to be avoided.

Slow Sugars: Long, complex molecules absorbed slowly and stored as glycogen.

SPP (Specific Physical Preparation): Aims to maintain acquired abilities and transfer them into performance.

Strength (Force): Ability to pedal despite resistance, meaning pushing the biggest gear possible.

Thresholds: Ventilatory thresholds used to determine how the body adapts during maximal effort.

TRIMPS (Training Impulse): Nonlinear method for evaluating training load based on intensity and duration.

TSB (Training Stress Balance): TSB=CTL−ATL. Positive = rested; negative = overload.

TSS (Training Stress Score): 1 hour at FTP = 100 points.

VCO₂: Amount of CO₂ produced by the body.

VE (Ventilatory Flow): VE=VT×RR. Volume of air ventilated per minute.

VO₂ (Oxygen Consumption): Amount of oxygen used by the body.

VO₂max (Maximal Oxygen Consumption): Maximum volume of oxygen the body can use.

VT (Tidal Volume): Useful lung volume in liters.

VT1 (First Ventilatory Threshold / SV1): Represents the ventilatory adaptation threshold.

VT2 (Second Ventilatory Threshold / SV2): Represents the ventilatory decompensation threshold.

Watt (W): Unit of power equal to 1 joule per second.