AQA A2 Revision Mike Murray Based on past paper questions and answers to those questions

Content EPOC and lactate Sports supplements POMS Cognitive methods to control anxiety Baron’s distraction-conflict theory World Games Why use drugs? Strategies to reduce drug-taking  

Lactate threshold – Typical question Elite performers follow structured training programmes to develop exceptional levels of fitness. Outline the relationship between ‘VO2 max’ and ‘lactate threshold’. (3 marks) In terms of recovery, explain the relationship between lactate threshold and the functions of EPOC. (5 marks)

Lactate Threshold/OBLA During intense exercise of short duration Glycogen used as energy source Too much produced by - excess is converted to Can only last

During high intensity exercise Mitochondria

Lactate threshold When starts to in Also known as Percentage of Occurs because of lack of in Occurs at start of exercise = and during exercise

Oxygen Uptake during Exercise O2 uptake rest exercise recovery time

EPOC Slow component: Fast component:

Lactate tolerance How well performer copes with accumulation Depends on ability to acidity of accumulation Fitter performers can remove quicker

Removal of lactate During component of 65% converted to – into and oxidised for 25% converted to pyruvate and then to – 10% converted to

Supplements - Typical question What are the potential benefits and harmful effects to a performer taking creatine supplements? (4 marks)

Food Supplements - Creatine Creatine – increases – longer energy supplies Used by - limited effects but to performance No known problems, but potential long-term

Food Supplements - Protein Protein – taken to increase - Used by performers Training effect – build more muscle Requires exceptional training load to be - enough in balanced diet - no need to take more for majority!

Typical question What are the potential benefits and harmful effects to a performer taking caffeine before an event. (4 marks)

Food Supplements - Caffeine Caffeine – stimulant – increased Increases fat use in long-duration activities – Used by performers - Use can cause dehydration Used by many, because no longer

Food Supplements – Herbal remedies Herbal Remedies - use of plant extracts May contain useful and Problem - performers not aware of what other substances contained in extract - Slide No.

Food Supplements – Bicarbonate of Soda Bicarbonate of soda – effects of Used by performers Delays But ingestion causes and

Food Supplements - Water Exercise generates heat - lost mainly by - 1-3 litres per hour - Causes increased and Need to before and during event

Food Supplements – Athlete’s diet Specialist foods only if Simple usually adequate Sufficient gained from nutritious rather than junk foods Sufficient vitamins and minerals from Sufficient protein from

POMS – Typical question Morgan’s profile of mood state (POMS) is a questionnaire given to performers to establish their relative measures on six mental health states. Research has shown that the profile for POMS differs between elite and non-elite performers. Describe these differences. (3 marks)

Profile of Mood States Test score Mood states anger fatigue confusion depression tension Mood states

Mood States Successful elite performers show High vigour; low tension, depression, fatigue and confusion Unsuccessful athletes show Change in profile associated with Cannot be applied to all performers – success could lead to

Cognitive methods – Typical question Outline two cognitive stress management techniques that can be used to control anxiety levels. (7 marks)

Stress management Control thoughts - cognitive techniques – eg Involves redirecting thoughts away from the cause of the and Needs to be and

Imagery Imagine must be Use Can imagine event – include possible Pre-experience achievement of – increase Lock on to perfect performance –

Attentional control (focusing) Learn to concentrate/focus on Concentration linked to Tendency to focus on Needs to control attention / avoid Use of key phrases to help Use ‘routine’ for repeatable skills – eg

Thought-stopping Use of ‘action’ – eg Switch attention to controlled Use whenever occurs Action that thought Involves – learn to think of action rather than negative thought

Self-talk Develop about your actions Learn to Rehearse when things are going wrong - Can be Can recall good plus a few thoughts

Distraction-conflict theory– Typical question Explain the principles of Barron’s distraction-conflict theory. (3 marks)

Baron – distraction-conflict theory Attends to demands of task Athlete performing Attends to distractor

Distraction causes conflict Paying attention to distraction limits for skilled performance More difficult tasks require more Distraction causes an increase in Leading to

World games – Typical question 'World Class Events' is part of UK Sport's development programme, which aims to attract major sporting championships to the UK. Discuss the suggestion that hosting major championships will benefit the individual performer and the host. (5 marks)

Characteristics of World games performers Large appeal Requires major infrastructure –

Effects of World games for performers Highly to be/test themselves against the best - make most of abilities –

Effects of World games - Country impact – seen as successful, part of national character/political success Social impact – Economic impact – financial success – Can have negative impact - Government support -

Why use drugs – Typical question Elite sport is waging a constant battle over the use of performance enhancing drugs. Explain why some performers choose to take performance enhancing drugs, and describe some of the measures which are in place to solve this problem. (7 marks)

Reasons why performers may take drugs

Solutions to drug-taking problem Unified policies -