Newton’s Laws & Motion
What does Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia) state about objects in motion or at rest?
An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
In the human body, what structure acts as the axis of a lever?
The joint
What are the four components of human growth and development?
Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development
What is physical literacy?
Moving with competence and confidence in a variety of physical activities across many environments
What is learning defined as?
A relatively permanent change in behaviour due to practice or experience.
What type of feedback is given about how a movement was performed?
Knowledge of Performance (KP)
Which type of motion occurs when the whole body or part of it moves the same distance, in the same direction, in the same time?
Linear (translational) motion
Which class of lever is most common in the human body?
Third‑class levers
What does cephalocaudal development describe?
Growth progressing from the head downward and then outwards (head → trunk → limbs)
How many LTAD stages are there?`
7
What are the three main learning styles?
Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (tactile)
What are the three stages of skill learning?
Cognitive, associative, and autonomous stages
According to Newton’s Second Law, what is the formula that explains how force causes acceleration?
F = ma (force = mass × acceleration)
According to the Stability Principle, name one factor that increases stability.
A lower centre of mass, greater mass, a larger base of support, or the centre of mass positioned closer to the base of support
Why do infants crawl before they walk upright?
Their head and brain develop first, placing their centre of mass higher and reducing stability until core and limb muscles develop
What is the primary goal of the first three LTAD stages (Active Start, FUNdamentals, Learn to Train)?
To develop physical literacy before puberty
What factor most increases the likelihood that learning will occur?
Motivation — the greater the motivation, the greater the likelihood of learning
What is blocked practice, and how does it differ from random practice?
Blocked practice repeats the same skill under identical conditions; random practice varies conditions and attempts
Provide a real‑world sport example that demonstrates Newton’s Third Law (action–reaction).
A basketball player pushes against the floor (action), and the floor pushes back, allowing the player to jump upward (reaction)
What biomechanical principle states that maximum velocity requires using joints in sequence from largest to smallest?
Principle #3 – Sequencing of Joint Rotation
What is Peak Height Velocity (PHV), and at what ages do girls and boys typically reach it?
PHV is the maximum rate of growth during a growth spurt; girls peak around age 12 (≈8 cm/year), boys around age 14 (≈10 cm/year)
Why is training based solely on chronological age considered a problem?
It causes athletes to be under‑trained, over‑competed, and mismatched with their developmental readiness, harming long‑term performance and retention
What are intrinsic vs. extrinsic rewards, and how do they typically change as a learner matures?
Intrinsic rewards come from internal satisfaction (effort, pride); extrinsic rewards are tangible (money, prizes). Focus usually shifts from extrinsic to intrinsic over time
In motor learning, what is the difference between an open skill and a closed skill?
Open skills require reacting to a changing environment; closed skills are performed in stable, predictable conditions where technique is key
Explain the difference between external and internal forces in biomechanics.
External forces originate outside the body (gravity, friction, wind), while internal forces originate inside the body (muscle contractions)
What is moment of inertia, and how does it affect rotational movement in sports like diving or figure skating?
Moment of inertia is the resistance to changes in rotational motion; bringing mass closer to the axis (tuck) decreases moment of inertia and increases angular velocity, while extending mass outward (layout) increases moment of inertia and slows rotation
Name three major factors affecting physical growth and development
Endocrine system (hormones), heredity, nutrition & diet, physical activity, and sociocultural influences.
What is periodization in athletic training, and why is it important?
Systematic planning of training cycles to optimize performance by developing different physiological abilities (e.g., endurance → lactate threshold → power) at specific times
Name the three types of constraints that affect skill development and explain each one.
Individual constraints — biological or psychological traits of the learner.
Environmental constraints — physical or sociocultural factors outside the body.
Task constraints — rules, equipment, or objectives of the skill.
What are the five steps in Singer’s method of teaching skills?
Readying, imaging, focusing, executing, and evaluating