Individual Differences Flashcards
People are individuals with different needs. Disability is one individual difference that affects participation and performance in physical activity.
What individual differences may have influenced Sarah’s participation and performance in her favourite activities? (8)
• Age – maturity of the performer and their suitability for her favourite activities and the impact on her body as she gets older
• Gender – how gender can impact on participation due to muscle size and strength, power, speed or flexibility
• Physique – how Sarah’s body type might influence participation
• Environment – how access to facilities for and terrain can influence activity choice and participation for Sarah
• Risk and challenge – opportunity through activities for Sarah to identify and solve problems to overcome challenges
• Activity levels – demands on Sarah from different activities
• Training – how availability of funds and time may affect Sarah’s performance or participation
• Skill – high levels of skill may have influenced Sarah to choose to participate in either rock climbing or dance
• Ability – is something you are born with, Sarah may have been born with very good potential for flexibility that will help her with rock climbing and dance
• Personality type – how Sarah being an introvert or extrovert may affect her participation or performance
Accept the social groupings below
• Ethnicity or culture – Sarah’s participation in some physical activities may be affected by religious beliefs
• Family – how Sarah’s family background could have influenced participation or performance
• Peers – how positive or negative effects of pressure could influence Sarah’s choice of favourite activities
Explain how individual differences can affect the amount of exercise that a person may participate in. (2)
Award up to two marks for explaining why the amount of exercise might vary between different people.
• The ability of the performer/ higher ability performers will need to train more.
• The age/ gender of the individual/ will demand different energy levels.
• The physical condition of the individual eg illness or injury/ which would mean less exercise.
• Somatotypes / valid descriptions of differences, eg endomorph less likely to do as much exercise.
• Level of motivation/ less motivated performers will do less exercise.
• Time/ less exercise due to other commitments like work or family.
• Higher metabolism/ so they would burn fat quicker so they don’t need to exercise as much.
• Cost/ less exercise as they cannot afford to take part.
• Environment/ there are no facilities or open space to enable them to take part.
Describe a mesomorph body type and explain why this body type helps Rachel to perform well in her chosen sporting activities. (4)
Award up to two marks for describing what a mesomorph is.
• Well defined muscles/ broad shoulders/ wedge shaped
or triangular or v-shaped/ narrow hips.
Award up to a further two marks for explaining why it allows her to perform well in her chosen activities.
• Well defined muscles – which allow her to be strong/
in the tackle.
• Well defined muscles – which will give her more power/
for a start in swimming.
• Well defined muscles – which will give her muscular
endurance/ to maintain performance in any of her activities.
• Broad shoulders – develop power/ needed in swimming arm action.
Explain two reasons why swimming would be a suitable activity for a 60 year old. (4)
Award up to two marks for each correct description.
It is non weight bearing/ so will not cause damage to joints.
It develops fitness/ as it raises heart rate.
It uses muscles in both the arms/ and legs.
Can be performed all year round/ as it is indoors.
Can be done at your own pace/ and you can do as much or as little as you want.
It is relatively cheap/ and there may be concessions for the elderly.
Why is rest important in a training programme? (4)
Rest is important because:
• it gives time to bring breathing rate and heart rate back to normal;
• it gives time to bring temperature back to normal;
• it gives time to get rid of waste chemicals (lactic acid, CO2)/ heat;
• it gives time to re-pay oxygen debt;
• it gives time to re-oxygenate blood;
• it gives time to replace exhausted glycogen stores;
• it gives time to re-hydrate;
• it allows for the re-activation of other systems;
• it prevents soreness/ stiffness/ swelling;
• it reduces exhaustion/ weakness/ nausea;
• it reduces likelihood of over-use injury/ over-doing it;
• it facilitates recovery;
• it gives psychological benefits (eg time for reflection, maintain alertness/ interest) (max 1 mark).
Use examples to explain the effects that physique may have on performance. (5)
Effects are determined by the suitability of a particular physique to an activity
(1 mark) ‒ the better the match the better the (potential for) performance (1 mark).
Examples such as:
• length of limbs/ proportions of body parts
> the longer the legs, more effective hurdling/ high jump;
• composition of the tissue mass
> the greater the muscle, the greater strength, more effective gymnastics/ swimming;
• overall height of the body
> taller, greater reach, more effective basketball/volleyball;
• overall weight of the body
> heavier, greater stability, more effective wrestler/boxer;
> lighter, less handicap to be carried more effective jockey/ rowing cox;
• overall size of the body
> bigger, greater power, more effective rugby forward/ field throw athlete.
Award marks on the basis of …
• type of physique &/ or description &/ or activity (1 mark);
• explanation of the effect on performance (1 mark).
eg… a mesomorph (1 mark) would be more suited to gymnastics because more muscle means more strength (1 mark).
What does somatotype mean? (1)
somatotype is :
… body (size &) shape; or body type; or body build; or physique; or body structure; or body composition.
accept: ..if you are muscly, fat or thin.
NB not what you look like/appearance; not names of type examples.
Give two activities for which an endo-mesomorph is best suited. (2)
any two such as: • (throw) athletics (can be named for 2 marks ) • rugby • weight lifting • wrestling • boxing • other combat sports. not tug-of-war.
Give three ways in which climate may influence participation in sport and physical activity. (3)
three to include:
• the level of humidity makes it pleasant/unpleasant to participate
• the level of pollution makes it pleasant/unpleasant to participate
• the type of weather determines what you play (e.g. snowsports according to geography)
• the severity of the weather determines whether you play / makes it pleasant/unpleasant to participate:
e.g.
• it has rained heavily .. pitch flooded = no game / river levels swollen = white water more challenging
• it’s raining so you don’t go out for ‘a run’
• it starts to rain so play is curtailed/abandoned.
accept… wind/rain/sun/all 3 = 1 mark
Explain how culture may affect an individual’s participation in physical activity. (2)
Award two marks for explaining how culture may affect an individual’s participation in physical activity.
- Some religions do not allow women to wear certain items of sports kit / this may prevent participation in certain physical activities e.g. swimming.
- Some religions have single sex participation rules for women / this may prevent participation where men are present.
- Some countries see a woman’s role as in the home / this may limit their leisure time.
- Some religions fast (have reduced food intake) / this may reduce energy supplies which may limit participation.
- The traditions of a particular country or region or religion / may increase participation in physical activity or sport e.g. cricket in India or curling in Scotland.
- Religious beliefs / may prevent participation on a Sunday.
Describe two ways that would allow individuals with physical disabilities to participate in physical activity. (4)
Award up to two marks for describing each way that would allow individuals with physical disabilities to participate in physical activity (2×2).
- Wider doors or doors fitted with ramps / allow wheelchair access.
- Lifts provided / allow access to upper or lower floors.
- Adapted rules / for example wheelchair basketball where the travel rule is different.
- Adapted equipment / for example balls with bells in, for blind football.
- Specialist coaches / have the knowledge of disability activities.
- Disability classifications or specific competitions or clubs / allow individuals to participate against others with similar disabilities.
- Specialised transport / vehicles are fitted with wheelchair clamps or have wide doors for access, so they can get to the venue.
- Disabled parking space / nearest to the facility improves access.
- Hoists or lifts / enable the disabled to get into the swimming pool.
