Plain-language explanations of terms used in our English pages. Use the letters below to browse alphabetically.
A
Acceptability
Whether an activity is acceptable and appealing to the people taking part.
Read in context → Scientific referencesAdapted physical activity
Physical activity adjusted to a person’s abilities, needs and circumstances.
Read in context → Video libraryArc
A ribbon joining notes of the same colour in Beat Saber and guiding the saber’s movement.
Read in context → Beat Saber scores explained
B
Beat Saber
A virtual reality rhythm game in which you cut coloured blocks with virtual sabers.
Read in context → Beat Saber guideBlock
A cube-shaped note to cut with the matching saber; an arrow can specify the direction.
Read in context → Beat Saber guide
C
Chain
A first note followed by small segments that you hit in sequence with the saber.
Read in context → Beat Saber scores explainedCognition
Mental processes such as attention, memory and thinking.
Read in context → Scientific referencesControl group
A comparison group in a study, used to help assess the effects of an intervention.
Read in context → Scientific referencesController
A handheld device used to interact with a virtual reality game.
Read in context → Video library
D
Dopamine
A chemical messenger used by nerve cells, involved in movement among other functions.
Read in context → Video library
E
Environment
The virtual scenery around the player during a song.
Read in context → Beat Saber guide
F
Feasibility
Whether an activity or study can be carried out in practice.
Read in context → Scientific referencesFreezing of gait
A brief episode in which a person has difficulty starting or continuing to walk despite wanting to move.
Read in context → Scientific references
H
Haptic feedback
Physical feedback from a device, such as vibrations felt in a controller.
Read in context → Beat Saber guideHeadset
The device worn over the eyes to view a virtual reality scene.
Read in context → Beat Saber guideHUD
Heads-up display: information shown during play, such as the score.
Read in context → Beat Saber guide
M
Meta-analysis
A statistical method that combines results from several studies addressing a related question.
Read in context → Scientific referencesModifier
A setting that changes a game’s rules or difficulty and can affect the score.
Read in context → Beat Saber guideMotor function
The ability to produce and control movement.
Read in context → Scientific referencesMultiplier
A factor applied to the points earned; in Beat Saber it rises with consecutive successful hits.
Read in context → Beat Saber scores explained
P
Palette
A set of colours selected for the game.
Read in context → Beat Saber guidePilot study
A small preliminary study that explores practical questions before larger research.
Read in context → Scientific references
R
Rehabilitation
Support and practice intended to maintain or improve functioning and everyday abilities.
Read in context → Scientific references
S
Saber
The virtual blade held by the player to cut notes in Beat Saber.
Read in context → Beat Saber guideStatistically significant
A result meeting a chosen statistical threshold; this alone does not show that the effect is large or useful in daily life.
Read in context → Scientific referencesStride length
The distance covered between two successive contacts of the same foot when walking.
Read in context → Scientific referencesSystematic review
A structured review that identifies and assesses studies using explicit methods.
Read in context → Scientific references
V
Virtual reality
A computer-generated environment viewed through a headset, giving a sense of being inside the scene.
Read in context → Video library
W
Webinar
A talk or discussion delivered online, live or as a recording.
Read in context → Video library