Tuesday 15 January 2008

AS Exercise Physiolology Exam Questions and Answers - Set Three

This is for all A-Level students. You can use this blog to prepare for the re-take in January or secure your understanding of the unit you are currently doing.

I will post questions every two days. Research your answer and place them directly into the blog.I will attach the answers to the end of the blog in two days time.

If you need help, let me know I will get back to you asap.

Good Luck!


1) Stretching can be used to improve the range of movement at a joint. Name and describe four different ways of stretching. (8 marks)

2) Define the terms agonist, antagonist, fixator and synergist. (4 marks)

3) Using a sporting example name the muscles that are performing each of the four roles listed above in during a biceps curl. (4 marks)

4) Elite endurance athletes often use altitude to improve performance. Explain why altitude training is considered to be of benefit and describe the adaptations likely to occur. (6 marks)

5) Identify other ways in which an athlete might seek to achieve similar results. (3 marks)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

1, Static stretching- this occurs when the performer works on one joint, pushing it beyond its point of resistance, lengthening the muscles and connective tissue surrounding it. passive stretching happens when a stretch occurs with the help of an external force(partner,wall)

Ballistic stretching- performing a stretch with swinging or bouncing movements to push a body part even further. only be performed by an individual whos is ver flexible such as gymnast.

PNF- proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, where the muscle is isometrically contracted for at least 10 seconds. it then relaxes and is contracted again, usually goin further the second time.

2/ when the muscle shortens under tension to produce its movement it is an agonist
the antagonist is when the muscle returns to its original length.
A fixator muscle increases in tension but no movement occurs, normally located at the joint where the origin of the agonist can be found.
Synergists refer to a muscle that assists the work of an agonist

3,the agonist would be bicep brachii and antagonist is tricep brachii, fixator is deltoid and the synergist is palmaris longus, pronator teres and flexor carpi radiallis.

4,athletes often use altitude training at high altitude there is less air and therefore less oxygen. this lower partial pressure of oxygen has an effect on respiration, decreasing its efficiency, this means that the muscles do not receive as much oxygen as haemoglobin cannot be fully-saturated, which affects performance. the body can adapt to high altitude by increasing the level of red blood cells and haemoglobin. adaptations likely to occur are hypertrophy of the mycocardium(heart get=s bigger and stronger), increase in stroke volume-more blood pumped out the heart per beat and increase in cardiac output. blood volume increases increase in blood plasma and small increase in red blood cells. muscles will increase in myoglobin, increase in mithochondria and increase in energy stores in muscle store(glycogen).

5, they can also do fartlek training, here the performer varies the pace of a run to stress both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, this will improve v02 max.
Continous training- exercise without rest intervals and concentrates on developing endurance putting stress on aerobic system.
Salih