Typical Question 7 Physiology

AQA Examination Style Questions Page 249 in PB/MM textbook.

Question Explain how you would use the principles of training when developing a training programme to improve the fitness of A- level Physical Education students. (6 marks)

Answer Specific – energy systems; Specific to movements/skills; Progression – increase overload over time; Overload – harder than normal; Increase frequency – how often; Increase duration/time – how long; Increase Intensity – how hard; Type – change method to produce variety; Reversibility – lose fitness quickly; Tedium – same thing all the time is boring

Question As part of their training programme, players undergo regular fitness testing. One of the players performs a standard agility test in a controlled environment. (a) Discuss whether this is likely to be a valid and reliable measure of the player’s agility in an invasion game.(4 marks) (b) What purpose do such fitness testing serve and what are the limitations to such testing?(5 marks)

Answer (a) Valid - measure what it is supposed to measure; Reliable - test can be repeated; No account of context/not game related/equiv; Carrying a ball/dribbling a ball/carrying a stick/appropriate game example; Hence not a very valid method of testing agility; But a reliable method of measuring a player’s agility. (b) Identify strengths and/or weaknesses in a performance; Physiological potential/a named fitness component to be tested with an appropriate test; Success of a training programme/show improvement; Compared against norms of the group. They are not sport specific; They do not replicate movements required in sports; They do not replicate competition conditions; Many do not use direct measuring – therefore inaccurate; Tests may not be valid and reliable.

Question Power is a major fitness component of many athletic events. (a)What do you understand by the term power? (2 marks) (b)(i)Describe a suitable test for measuring power in a sprinter (3 marks) (ii) Name two other fitness components apart from power that you consider to be important for a named athletic event, giving a reason for each of the components you suggest (3 marks)

Answer (a) Amount of work/effort done; Per unit of time; Combination of strength/force and speed/force quickly/strength x speed. 2 marks (b)(i) 30 m sprint test/magaria test-running up steps; Athlete sprints/runs as fast as possible from a stationary start; Compare results to norms/tables/charts/averages/other performers/ previous performance.3 marks (ii) Speed, (local) muscular endurance, flexibility, dynamic balance, strength, cardiovascular respiratory endurance (stamina), agility; (1 mark for two correct) Speed of movement for all events/out of the blocks; (Local) muscular endurance-hurdling technique; Cardiovascular respiratory balance/stamina - need for events 800m+; Flexibility - high jump flosbury flop technique/hurdling/throws; Dynamic balance- shot putters and hammer throwers; Strength – discus/hammer/pole vault/shot putt/long jump/javelin/ triple jump; Agility – high jump.3 marks

Question What are the main benefits of (a)warming up;(3 marks) (b)cooling down?(3 marks)

Answer (a) Reduced chance of injury Better oxygen delivery Faster metabolism Improved blood flow Increased reactivity/sensitivity Increased efficiency of heart Improved psychological preparation Skill rehearsal (b) Clears waste products/lactate Reduces chance of DOMS Prevents blood pooling/fainting Allows heart rate to fall