Biomechanics
Define inertia and provide a sporting example.
Inertia is an object’s resistance to change its motion. Example: a stationary football stays still until kicked.
Identify the fuel source for the ATP-PC energy system.
Phosphocreatine (PC).
Define muscular strength and identify a suitable test to measure it.
Max force a muscle can exert – 1RM bench press or grip-strength test.
State the FITT acronym and what each letter represents.
Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type.
Name the three stages of learning and identify which stage a beginner typically belongs to.
Cognitive, Associative, Autonomous; beginners = Cognitive.
What are the three types of levers, and which one is most common in the human body?
1st-class (axis in middle), 2nd-class (resistance in middle), 3rd-class (force in middle – most common in body).
During a 400 m sprint, which energy system is dominant, and why?
Anaerobic glycolysis – event lasts 45-60 s at high intensity.
Differentiate between aerobic power and anaerobic capacity.
Aerobic power = rate of aerobic energy production; anaerobic capacity = total energy produced without O₂.
Explain the principle of specificity using an example of a sprinter’s training plan.
Training replicates sprinting’s muscle groups, energy system (ATP-PC), and movement pattern.
Define intrinsic and augmented feedback, and give an example of each.
Intrinsic = from senses (feel of shot); Augmented = external (coach feedback or video).
Explain how force summation improves performance in throwing events.
Sequential activation from large to small body parts maximises velocity at release.
Define EPOC and describe its two main phases.
Excess Post-exercise O₂ Consumption: fast phase – restore ATP-PC; slow phase – remove lactate, restore temp & HR.
Outline how to ensure reliability and validity when conducting a beep test.
Use identical protocol, surface, timing device (reliability); ensure it measures aerobic fitness (validity).
Describe how the principles of overload and progression work together to create adaptation.
Gradually increase training load (2–10 %) over time to continually challenge the body and cause adaptation.
Explain the difference between blocked and random practice, and when each is most appropriate.
Blocked = repeated single skill (early learning); Random = varied tasks (advanced learners).
A diver extends their arms during a spin mid-air. Explain how this affects angular velocity and inertia, and why.
Extending arms increases rotational inertia and decreases angular velocity – slows rotation because momentum is conserved.
Explain how the lactate inflection point (LIP) can be used to monitor aerobic fitness improvements.
Higher LIP = athlete can sustain higher intensity before fatigue; improvements shift LIP to greater workloads.
Explain how agility and coordination combine to enhance performance in invasion games.
Coordination allows smooth control of movements; agility uses that control to change direction efficiently.
Compare tapering and maintenance in terms of training load and purpose.
Tapering reduces load pre-event to recover; maintenance sustains fitness with lower frequency.
Discuss how socio-cultural factors can influence skill development in youth athletes.
Access, gender norms, family, culture, peers, and resources shape opportunities and motivation.
Describe the relationship between lever length, moment of inertia, and release velocity.
Longer levers increase moment of inertia (harder to rotate) but create greater linear velocity at the release point.
Compare the relative contribution of each energy system in a 2-min boxing round, and explain how intensity fluctuations affect system dominance.
ATP-PC at start/strikes; anaerobic glycolysis dominates sustained bursts; aerobic aids recovery between flurries – system dominance shifts with intensity.
Evaluate the effectiveness of using laboratory-based versus field-based tests to measure physiological performance.
Lab = high validity/precision but costly; Field = greater accessibility, realism; choice depends on context.
What type of training should a 800 m runner. With reference to specificity, and variety.
Example: mix aerobic intervals, speed reps, long run, and cross-training.
Analyse how a coach can use feedback frequency and practice variability to optimise performance for an autonomous athlete.
Provide less frequent, precise feedback; increase variability to promote adaptability and decision-making.