Health, Exercise and Fitness

Question 1

Many performers use different weight-training exercises as a way of improving their overall
fitness.
Balance is an important aspect of weight-training.
What do you understand by the term balance?

Answer 1

Maintaining / keeping stable at equilibrium
(Required terms)
Centre of gravity / mass over base of support;
(Required terms)
Static or Dynamic.

Question 2

People may join gyms or fitness centres to improve their health and fitness.
The figure below shows an individual running on a treadmill at his local fitness centre.
How may improved fitness, brought about by regular training on a treadmill, benefit the health of
an individual?

Answer 2

Reduce weight / fat / obesity / cholesterol;
(Requires specific benefit to gain credit)
Increase longevity / better health / feel good – too vague
Strengthen heart / reduce chance of heart attack / coronary risk factors;
Any improved physiological factor credited
Improve social / physical / mental wellbeing
(Need 2 out of 3 factors)

Question 3

The different types of events in athletics require different components of fitness.
(i) Name two components of skill-related fitness required by a 400 metre hurdler.

Answer 3

Agility / balance / co-cordination / reaction time.

Question 4

The different types of events in athletics require different components of fitness.
(ii) Name two components of health-related fitness required by a shot putter.

Answer 4

Strength / power / speed / flexibility.

Question 5

Many people play tennis as a way of improving their fitness.

(i) Explain the difference between the terms health and fitness.

Answer 5

Fitness – cope / meet everyday demands of the environment and
Health – complete
social, mental and physical well-being.
(Both phrases required 2 / 3 terms for health.)

Question 6

Many people play tennis as a way of improving their fitness.

(ii) Explain how the health of a performer may affect their fitness.

Answer 6

Can be unhealthy / get cold / flu / injury / and unable to train / fitness declines.
(Need to link decreased fitness because of ill-health.)
Can be unhealthy but able to train and fitness can still improve.
(Need to link increased fitness despite ill-health.)

Question 7

Football is a popular team sport played in the UK. Football players require a good level of
stamina if they are to be successful.
(i) What do you understand by the term ‘stamina’ and why is it an important component of
fitness for football players?

Answer 7

Ability to delay the onset of fatigue.
(Needs to be close to exactly correct to gain mark.)
Important because of the duration of the game eg 90 mins.
(Game lasts a long time is too vague.
Needs some idea of lasting 90 minutes or equivalent)

Question 8

Football is a popular team sport played in the UK. Football players require a good level of
stamina if they are to be successful.
(ii) Name two other components of fitness and, using examples, explain why each
component is important in a game of football.

Answer 8

Any two of the following:
First two answers only;
Not strength, not body composition.
Power; Speed; Flexibility; Balance; Agility, Reaction time; Co-ordination;
Muscular endurance.
Reason:
Power – move body quickly / jump high / apply force to ball / shoot / tackle;
Speed – get to ball quickly / run fast;
Flexibility – reach in tackle / stretch to get to ball;
Balance – stay stable / not fall when dribbling;
Agility – change direction quickly;
Reaction time – respond quickly / make decisions / read game
(especially goalkeepers);
Co-ordination – move legs / feet / hands smoothly.
Example must convey idea that student understands definition of component by implication eg dribbling implies co-ordination.
Do not accept use of component in definition – eg balance is ability
to stay balanced or reaction time is ability to react quickly.
Muscular endurance – repeated skills / muscle contractions.
(Emphasis is on repeated)

Question 9

Apart from strength, name and describe another component of fitness that is needed for
weightlifting.

Answer 9

Flexibility – wide range of movement;
First answer only
Speed – rapid movement / move quickly;
One component named and described
Co-ordination – combining movements / arms and legs together;
Power – strength x speed / large force quickly;
Agility – change direction quickly;
Balance – Remaining stable / equilibrium / centre of mass over area of support

Question 10

Weightlifting requires different types of strength.

Name and describe the different types of strength used during weightlifting.

Answer 10

Explosive strength – rapid / maximal / forceful / powerful contraction / equiv;
First answer only
Static strength – holding position / isometric / equiv;
(Needs name and description of movement.
Not power / not dynamic as types of strength.)

Question 11

Sports performers need to be fit. One possible limit to fitness in some activities is body fat. A
high ‘Body Mass Index’ (BMI) indicates a high percentage body fat and possibly obesity.
(i) How is Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated?

Answer 11

First two answers.
Height and weight / mass.
(Accept kg and m.)
Weight divided Height2 / squared.
Accept Kg / m2.
Just this point = 2 marks.

Question 12

Sports performers need to be fit. One possible limit to fitness in some activities is body fat. A
high ‘Body Mass Index’ (BMI) indicates a high percentage body fat and possibly obesity.
(ii) How may ‘obesity’ affect performance in different activities?

Answer 12

Limits stamina / endurance / cardiovascular / cardio-respiratory endurance.
Not other fitness components.
Accept accurate definitions of components.
Limits flexibility / mobility;
Limits agility / speed / power;
Causes cancer / heart disease / heart attacks / diabetes / high cholesterol / high fats
/ high lipids in blood / atherosclerosis / (osteo)arthritis / high blood pressure /
hypertension / stroke / lung disease / liver disease / gall bladder disease
/ gout / (deep vein)thrombosis / psychosocial problems / depression.
Any relevant technical word.

Question 13

Games players require a good level of stamina if they are to be successful.
(i) What do you understand by the term ‘stamina’ and why is it an important component of
fitness for games players?

Answer 13

Ability to delay the onset of fatigue / equiv / important because game lasts
more than 20 mins / length of match / equiv.

Question 14

Games players require a good level of stamina if they are to be successful.
(ii) Explain how different lifestyle choices can positively and negatively affect a gamesplayer’s
stamina.

Answer 14

Stamina reduced by:
Smoking – reduces lung / oxygen transport capacity;
Lack of exercise – reduces stamina;
Diet – overweight / obese – extra tissue;
Alcohol – damages heart / affects concentration.
Sub max 3 marks
Stamina increased by:
Not smoking – improved breathing;
Training – improved fitness;
Care with diet – correct weight;
No alcohol – remain alert;
Cycle / walk to work / walk upstairs.

Question 15

Performers in team games such as netball need to be suitably prepared to meet the
demands of the game.
(i) In order to play netball effectively, performers need to be fit. What do you understand by the
term fitness?

Answer 15

Ability to meet everyday demands / to cope.

Question 16

Performers in team games such as netball need to be suitably prepared to meet the
demands of the game.
(ii) Discuss whether you must be healthy in order to be fit.

Answer 16

Healthy – social, mental and physical well-being.
Can be fit and healthy.
Can be fit and unhealthy.