PAPER 1- 2017 AS

Question 1

0 1 Which one of the following statements accurately describes Starling’s law of the
heart?
[1 mark]

A Increased action of skeletal muscles to increase venous
return
B Increased heart rate during long periods of exercise at the
same intensity
C Increased rate of oxygen transport by the circulatory system
D Increased venous return leading to increased stroke volume

Answer 1

D Increased venous return leading to increased stroke volume

Question 2

0 2 Fitness testing needs to be valid.
Which one of the following statements accurately describes validity in relation to
fitness testing?
[1 mark]

Answer 2

C A test that measures what it sets out to measure

Question 3

0 3 Figure 1 shows an athlete hurdling.
Figure 1

3 . 1 Identify the type of joint, the joint action and the main agonist at the ankle,
labelled A, as the athlete clears the hurdle.
[3 marks]

Answer 3

Type of joint: Hinge (1)
Joint action: Dorsiflexion (1)
Main agonist: Tibialis anterior (1)

Question 4

0 3 . 2 To clear the hurdle, hip flexion occurs.
State the plane and the axis around which hip flexion takes place.
[2 marks]

Answer 4

Plane: sagittal (plane) (1)
Axis: transverse (axis) (1)

Question 5

0 4 Figure 2 shows heart rate graphs for two athletes before, during and after an
exercise session. Each athlete is using a different training method.
Figure 2
0 4 . 1 State the term used to describe the increase in heart rate labelled A and name
the hormone that causes this increase in heart rate.
[2 marks]

Answer 5

Anticipatory rise (1)
Adrenaline / epinephrine (1)

Question 6

0 4 . 2 Use Figure 2 to identify the type of training method each athlete is using in the
exercise session. Justify your answers.
[4 marks]

Answer 6

Training method used by athlete 1
Continuous (training) (1)
Justification
As after initial increase heart rate reaches steady state/remains elevated in order to maintain this
intensity for the majority of the exercise period (1)

Training method used by athlete 2
Interval / circuit/ weight / fartlek (training) (1)
Justification
As graph indicates fluctuations in heart rate throughout exercise session/exercise intensity must vary
during the session, the increases in heart rate indicating more intense parts of the session/drop in
heart rate lower intensity/periods of recovery within session (1).
Justification for athlete 2 must refer to a number of fluctuations in heart rate.
Accept HR for heart rate as this is shown on Figure 2.
Accept justification if training method is incorrect.
Accept other appropriate explanations of the data in heart rate that explain the training method used
by each athlete during the exercise session.

Question 7

Training method used by athlete 2
Interval / circuit/ weight / fartlek (training) (1)
Justification
As graph indicates fluctuations in heart rate throughout exercise session/exercise intensity must vary
during the session, the increases in heart rate indicating more intense parts of the session/drop in
heart rate lower intensity/periods of recovery within session (1).
Justification for athlete 2 must refer to a number of fluctuations in heart rate.
Accept HR for heart rate as this is shown on Figure 2.
Accept justification if training method is incorrect.
Accept other appropriate explanations of the data in heart rate that explain the training method used
by each athlete during the exercise session.

Answer 7

AO1 (Physiological effects)
Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin rather than oxygen (1)
Nicotine constricts the bronchioles (1)
Damaged cilia (1)
Reduction in number / damaged alveoli (1)
Physiological effects must relate specifically to the respiratory system.
Sub-max 1 mark
Award one mark for each of the following points.
AO2
Reduced gaseous exchange in the lungs / oxygen transport to the muscles (1)
AO3 (Impact on performance)
This decreases the athlete’s ability to utilise oxygen in energy production / work aerobically (1). This
means they have less energy for their activity / slower time / fatigue quicker (due to working
anaerobically) (1).
Accept other appropriate physiological effects of smoking on the respiratory system and explanations
of the impact on performance in endurance events.

Question 8

0 6 It is important for sprinters to push off the blocks effectively to achieve a fast start.
Using Newton’s first and second laws of linear motion and knowledge of the
neuromuscular system, analyse how a sprinter is able to achieve a fast start.
[8 marks]

Answer 8

AO1 – Knowledge of Newton’s first and second laws of linear motion and the neuromuscular
system
Newton’s first and second laws – Eg First law is the law of inertia. Inertia is a body’s reluctance to
change its state of motion. A force is required to overcome inertia. Second law is the law of
acceleration, the rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force
causing the change. Any change in momentum takes place in the direction the force was applied.
Force = mass x acceleration.
Neuromuscular system – Eg three muscle fibre types, type I, type Ia, type IIx. Muscle contraction
brought about by the recruitment of muscle fibres. Spatial summation is when the strength of a
contraction changes by altering the number of size of motor units. Wave summation is where there is
a repeated nerve impulse with no time to relax so a smooth, sustained contraction occurs. This is a
tetanic contraction. Muscle fibres form a motor unit (with motor nerve), each muscle fibre in the unit
contracting or relaxing at the same time. This is according to the all-or-none law. There are different
sizes of motor unit.
AO2 – Application of Newton’s first and second law and the neuromuscular system to a
sprinter
Eg The sprinters current state of inertia is stationary; to alter this state of inertia the sprinter needs to
apply a muscular force by contracting his leg muscles in order to overcome his inertia so that he can
leave the blocks, moving from a stationary position to begin to run.
By varying the force of his muscles’ contraction and the number of motor units recruited the sprinter
can cause a change in momentum from stationary to moving. The sprinter applies a force against
the blocks and then the ground to generate the required momentum to move forward down the track.
It would be beneficial to the sprinter to have a high percentage of fast twitch fibres type IIx. The
sprinter will recruit large, fast twitch motor units in the leg muscles to generate the force required to
overcome inertia, the sprinter will use spatial summation, varying the number of motor units recruited
throughout the muscle to allow the fibres in each unit to relax whilst others are contracting to provide
the necessary force.
AO3 – Analysis/Evaluation of how the sprinter is able to achieve a fast start
Eg The greater the muscular force that the sprinter can apply against the blocks, the more readily the
body will alter its state of inertia, allowing the sprinter to move more quickly out of the blocks. By
varying the force of his muscles’ contraction, the greater the force he generates, the greater the
acceleration away from the blocks, giving him a better start than his competitors.
If the sprinter increases the frequency of stimulation of the muscle fibres in the motor unit such that
the next impulse reaches the muscle before it has completely relaxed from the previous the resulting
force is greater, hence the sprinter may use wave summation to increase the force of the muscle
contraction further, generating a greater force and therefore greater acceleration according to
Newton’s second law.
Accept other appropriate analysis of Newton’s first and second laws of linear motion and the
neuromuscular system in enabling a sprinter to achieve a fast start.

Question 9

0 7 A swimming teacher may use floats and arm bands with a group of beginners to
keep them safe when they are learning to swim.
Identify this type of guidance.
[1 mark]

Answer 9

B Mechanical

Question 10

8 ‘Feelings of apprehension and worry due to a tendency to view all competitive
situations as threatening.’
Identify this type of anxiety.
[1 mark]

Answer 10

C Competitive trait anxiety

Question 11

9 In most sports, coaches can give feedback during a break in play.
Identify and describe two different types of feedback that a coach could give
during a break in play. Give a sporting example to support each answer.
[4 marks]

Answer 11

(AO1) Positive feedback can be given by the coach, praising / recognising what is going well (1)
(AO2) e.g. taking a quick corner catching the defence out so the goal was scored (1).
(AO1) Negative feedback can be given by the coach providing criticism/ information on what is going
wrong/ weaknesses during play (1) (AO2) e.g. the team keep giving away free kicks (1).
(AO1) Knowledge of performance can be given by the coach to explain why a technique is working
or not working (1) (AO2) eg if a player’s shots were going over the goal the coach would explain the
fault in technique causing this, ie weight on the back foot (1).

Question 12

1 1 Vicky is a badminton player. She has recently begun to play tennis.
Explain the impact of negative and zero transfer of learning on Vicky’s progress in
tennis. Give examples from badminton and tennis to support your answer.
[4 marks]

Answer 12

Negative transfer sub max 2 marks
The skills Vicky has learnt in badminton will hinder the learning of skills / techniques in tennis (1) for
example, in badminton forehand shots are played with a flexible wrist but in tennis the wrist should
be firmer (1).

Zero transfer means that some badminton skills will have no impact on Vicky’s tennis performance,
due to the differences in the skill (1). For example, in badminton, players serve underarm but the
serve is overarm in tennis / no top spin in badminton (1)

Question 13

1 2 Figure 4 shows a player taking a corner kick in football.

1 2 . 1 Classify the corner kick in football using the following continua:
• open – closed
• self-paced – externally paced.
Justify your answers.
[2 marks]

Answer 13

Open-closed: closed/towards closed end of continuum because the opposition cannot directly
interfere with the player taking the corner (1).

Self-paced – externally-paced: self-paced/towards self-paced end of continuum because the player
decides when they want to kick the ball (1).

Question 14

1 2 . 2 Describe the high – low organisation skill continuum.
[2 marks]

Answer 14

his continuum refers to how easily a skill can be broken down / the nature of phases / subroutines
that make up a skill (1).
Low organisation skills tend to be made up of discrete phases / subroutines / can easily be broken
down / phases can be practiced separately (1)
High organisation skills tend to have phases / subroutines that cannot be easily broken down / the
phases of the skill cannot be practiced separately (1).

Question 15

2 . 3 Give one example of a low organisation skill in football.
[1 mark]

Answer 15

Taking a penalty/passing the ball/taking a goal kick/making a shot/throw in (1).
Accept any other suitable example of a low-organisation skill in football

Question 16

1 4 Coaches need to consider the nature of the skills and the experience of the
performers when structuring a practice session.
Evaluate the use of massed and distributed practice when coaching a group of
beginners, in a game such as basketball.
[8 marks]

Answer 16

AO1 – Knowledge of massed and distributed practice structures and the advantages and
disadvantages in isolation
Eg, Massed practice is a form of continuous practice as there is little if any rest between attempts of
the skill so little feedback can be given.
Massed practice should be used with players who are fit enough to continuously practice the skill
without a rest. Massed practice is often used to develop fitness and is good as it allows closed skills
to become habitual.
Distributed practice has breaks in-between practice blocks or trials. It is often used with beginners,
players who are unfit or if the skill being practiced is dangerous or open. If the skill being developed
is a gross skill or continuous skill distributed practice would be also used. It is good because it allows
for rest.
AO2 – Application of massed and distributed practices to a sport / basketball
Eg, Examples of massed practice would be a continuous session of basketball lay-up shots, without
breaks in-between trials. Feedback could still be given but this would be whilst the players were
performing the skill.
Massed practice would be used with highly motivated performers due to the constant practice, highly
motivated performers tend to be those who are good at a sport, therefore, the clubs first team or
senior team may use this type of practice. Massed practice is good when the skill is simple, there
are some simple skills in basketball, for example, dribbling, some passes, catching so massed
practice could be used for these skills once the basics had been taught. Massed practice is also
good for discrete skills, such as shooting.
AO3 – Analysis/Evaluation through discussion of the potential impact of the correct/incorrect
practice selection on the players’ learning as a beginner
Eg, As the basketball group are beginners the coach should use distributed practice structure rather
than massed practice as this will allow time for feedback from the coach about the performance of
the skill in basketball, allowing the player opportunity to develop a better understanding of the skill
and improve.
Distributed practice will also give the players opportunity to rest so that they can focus more on the
instruction and the skill being developed rather than being concerned about being fatigued. This type
of practice also allows the coach to vary the activities so that the beginners do not become bored,
therefore reducing the chances that they will wish to drop out.
As the beginners develop their fitness and skill level they could use massed practice as basketball is
not a dangerous game/doesn’t involve dangerous skills therefore as the players’ fatigue this will not
impact on their safety. Massed practice could also be used if there was limited time available to learn
the skill, as time would not be lost with breaks or alternate activities and of course massed practice
best reflects the fast pace of the game of basketball so would be good preparation for this.
Accept other appropriate evaluations of the use of massed and distributed practice when coaching a
group of beginners, in any stated sport

Question 17

1 5 Which one of the following statements accurately describes the term
urbanisation?
[1 mark]

Answer 17

B An increase in the proportion of people living in towns

compared to the countryside

Question 18

6 Which one of the following components of fitness can be measured using indirect
calorimetry?
[1 mark]

Answer 18

A Aerobic endurance

Question 19

1 7 Explain how the two-tier class system influenced the nature of sporting recreation
in pre-industrial society.
[4 marks]

Answer 19

(AO1) The class system determined an individual’s status, (1) (AO2) and therefore the type of
activity that would be appropriate for them to engage in (1).
(AO1) The upper class / gentry would participate in real tennis / rational recreation (1) (AO2)
because they had the land / more time / money / facilities / could afford equipment / were educated
so could understand the rules (1).
The lower class / peasants would play mob football / popular recreation (1) because this reflected
their harsh living conditions / they did not have access to land and resources enjoyed by the gentry /
were illiterate and so could not understand rules (1).
(AO1) (Different classes had different roles within the same activity) upper class would wager on
lower class in activities such as pedestrian activities (1) (AO2) because upper class had money /
was form of entertainment / for high status (1)

Question 20

1 8 Define the terms discrimination and stereotyping and explain how each can
cause low participation rates amongst underrepresented groups in sport. Give
sporting examples to support your answer.
[6 marks]

Answer 20

AO1 (Definition) - Discrimination is unfair treatment of a person based on a stereotype or prejudice
(1)
AO2 (Sporting example) - A person with a disability would be discriminated against if they were
denied access to a club because they were a wheelchair user (1).
AO3 (Explanation of impact of unfair treatment) - Without the same level of access as other groups
of users / With reduced confidence / As a result of feeling excluded those with a disability will be
less likely to take part in sport (1).

AO1 (Definition) - A stereotype is a preconceived idea about a group (1)
AO2 (Sporting example) - Some people may believe that women should not play sport / certain
sports (1).
AO3 (Explanation of impact of stereotyping) – If women / others in positions of power believe these
stereotypes then they may feel they cannot participate leading to under-representation of women in
sport (1).

Question 21

1 9 Explain how two characteristics of sport are evident in the game of tennis.
[4 marks]

Answer 21

(AO2) Tennis is highly structured / organised / has (codified) rules (1) (AO3) e.g. court size/how
many times the ball can bounce / leagues and fixtures (1).
(AO2) Tennis is institutionalised / has a national governing body (1), (AO3) e.g. who decide on rule
changes / regulates rules / organise competitions (1).
(AO2) Tennis has officials (1), (AO3) e.g. there is a line judge / umpire (1).
(AO2) Tennis you play for extrinsic rewards (1), (AO3) e.g. you can win prize money / trophies / titles
(1).
(AO2) Tennis is competitive/serious (1), (AO3) e.g. the aim is to win games / sets (1).
(AO2) Tennis is skilful / involves tactics and strategies (1), (AO3) e.g. there are lots of different types
of shots you can play (1).

Question 22

2 0 Sport England’s aim is to increase the number of people participating in sport
and physical activity.
Explain one physical health benefit and one social health benefit to an individual
who has increased their level of physical activity.
[4 marks]

Answer 22

Physical health benefit
(AO1) Increased bone density (through regular weight bearing exercise) (1) (AO3) will reduce the
risk of osteoporosis in later life (1).
(AO1) Increased physical fitness / cardiovascular endurance / reduction in blood pressure / reduction
in cholesterol / achieving a healthy body weight / achieve correct blood glucose levels (through
aerobic exercise) (1) (AO3) will reduce the risk of a heart attack / heart disease / stroke / type 2
diabetes (1).
(AO1) Increased joint flexibility (through stretching exercises / activities) (1) (AO3) will reduce the risk
of arthritis / will maintain joint mobility in later life (1).

Question 23

2 1 Table 1 shows the winning times for the men’s 100 metres final from previous
Olympic Games.
Table 1
Year Time completed (s)
1952 10.40
1964 10.00
1976 10.06
1988 9.92
2000 9.87
2012 9.63
2016 9.81
Consider how commercialisation and the improvement in technology for sports
analytics have affected performance in the 100 metres at the Olympic Games.
Use the data in Table 1 to support your answer.
[8 marks]

Answer 23

Possible content may include:
AO1 – Knowledge of commercialisation and technology for sports analytics
Commercialisation
Eg, This is the selling of a product for profit. In order to sell a product, commercial enterprises need
access to as many people as possible; this is achieved through the media. The link between the
media and commercialisation and sport is often referred to as the golden triangle, each corner of the
triangle impacting on the others.
With improvements in technology sport is now available to a mass audience, increasing the
commercial value of sport. Sport is accessible via many different media outlets, for example, radio,
TV and the internet.
Technology for sports analytics
Eg, Sports analytics is the use of data to better understand a performance in sport. It can be used to
collect different types of data, e.g. athlete performance data, biomechanical data, fitness data. Using
technology data becomes objective, providing valid and reliable data on which to base further
analysis.
AO2 – Application to the 100 metre sprinter
Eg, Commercialisation makes more money available to the sprinters through sponsorship deals or
televised appearances in commercials.
Sprinters can use this money to finance their training. As sport has become more commercial more
funding has been available so the athlete can work with the best coaches, sports nutritionists, sports
psychologists, and other professionals who can help them achieve and maintain peak performance.
Technology for sports analytics will improve data collection, for example, during training sprinters
may wear motion detecting sensors, which capture their performance which can then be analysed to
search for any slight weakness, or area for improvement.
AO3 – Analysis/Evaluation through discussion of the potential impact of commercialisation of
sport and use of technology on sprint times
Eg, Despite the data anomaly of 1976 (where times increased), the data trend shows an
improvement in 100m sprint times, from 10.40 s in 1952 to 9.63 s in 2012. This is a significant
improvement in performance over time. If these two performers raced side by side the runner from
2012 would complete the race metres in front of the opposition. The anomaly in 1976 where times
dropped could be due to a number of factors, for example, nations boycotting the event, the quality of
the running track, the running environment.
Commercialisation
Eg, This increase in performance could be due to the additional time athletes can spend training as a
result of the increased funding available due to commercialisation. Even though the Olympics is still
an amateur sport there is increased funding available for talented and elite athletes, for example
lottery funding, which can be used to finance increased/more targeted levels of training. There is
also sponsorship and endorsement possibilities for high profile elite athletes, like those who win the
100m which means they can train full time rather than have to combine training with work. Through
increased fitness, from the additional training, performances will improve.
Technology for sports analytics
Eg, Due to increased revenue for the sport as well as the performer through commercialisation
money has been available to develop sport technology to further improve sport performance. For
example, through improved data collection of performance, e.g. running gait, the biomechanics of the
sprinters running action can be analysed, increasing the efficiency of the sprinter, improving their
time. Weaknesses can be more readily identified and corrected, again improving time.
Accept other appropriate considerations of how commercialisation and the use of technology for
sports analytics have affected performance in the 100 metres at the Olympic Games.
Maximum 8 marks