Physiology Questions Flashcards by Amy baird

Outline the process of glycogen loading that may be used by a performer to improve performance in a marathon (7) (14)

It aims to increase glycogen stores - creates a super compensation

M1 - reduce glycogen levels

Achieved by increased endurance training

Following three days of low carb diet

Few days before competition high carb diet

M2 - day before 3 minute high intensity exercise

Carb window opens

Within 20 minutes intake high carb diet

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A swimmer has to dive off the starting blocks as quickly as possible.
Identify the muscle fibre type used to complete this action and justify your answer (3)

Fast twitch

Fast speed of contraction

High force of contraction

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Explain the possible causes of fatigue during a race (3)

Build upon lactic acid

Glycogen depletion

Dehydration

Reduced levels of acetylcholine

Lack of PC stores

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Outline the relationship between VO2 max and lactate threshold (3)

VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen until used per minute

Lactate threshold is the point at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the blood

Lactate threshold is a percentage of VO2 max

The higher the VO2 max the higher the lactate threshold

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Outline how plyometrics can assist in a gymnasts preparation to achieve maximum lift at take off (7) (14)

Plyometrics aims to develop power/explosive strength

It involves hopping bounding jumping

Involves fast twitch muscle fibres

Eccentric muscle contraction followed by a concentric muscle contraction

Stretch reflex activated

Detected by muscle spindles which send nerve impulse to CNS

Elastic energy stored

Protects over stretching

Three phases - stretch shortening cycle

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How can a performer vary the strength of muscular contractions to ensure a skill is completed correctly (4)

Greater the forced needed larger motor units recruited

Spatial summation - changes in strength of contraction by altering the number and size of motor units involved

All or nothing law - no partial contraction

Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length

send information to CNS

This compares info to long term memory to ensure correct force applied

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Describe the physiological reasons why a performer may use anabolic steroids (3)

Aid storage of protein

Decrease fat in muscles

Able to train for longer

After recovery time/quicker repair of muscles

Increase muscle size

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Outline the function of the fast component of recovery (4)

EPOC - volume of oxygen consumed in recovery above resting rate

Alactic component

Re saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen

Re synthesis of ATP

Uses 2-4 litres of oxygen

Completed in 2-3 minutes

50% PC stores replenished within 30 seconds

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Discuss the suggestion that altitude training always improves performance in endurance events (7) (14)

Altitude training is over 2000m above sea level

Usually for at least 30 days

Partial pressure of oxygen is lower

Body produces EPO

Increased number of red blood cells

Increased concentration of haemoglobin

Increased capacity to carry oxygen

Altitude sickness may occur

Training at same intensity difficult - may lose fitness

Psychological problems linked to time away from home

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Explain the factors that contribute to a performers VO2 max (7) (14)

VO2 max is the maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilised per minute

It takes into account body weight

Lifestyle - lack of exercise/smoking/diet

Age - decreases with age

Gender - men generally have approx 20% higher VO2 max

Physiology - haemoglobin content

Physiology - capillary density

Genetics - inherited factors of physiology that may limit possible improvement

Body composition - higher percent of body fat decreases VO2 max

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Outline and explain the relationships between energy sources and intensity of exercise (7)

At low level intensity - energy comes from a mix of fats and carbs

Broken down aerobically

Glycolysis - glucose broken down

Beta oxidation breaks down fats

Kerbs cycle - oxidation of acetyl coenzymeA

At high levels of intensity carbohydrates are the only energy source

At high intensity fat use limited by oxygen availability

Slower energy release from fats

No oxygen used in carbohydrate break down

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Explain how actin and myosin filaments in the sarcomere bind together causing muscular contraction (4)

Filaments unable to bind due to tropomyosin

Sarcoplasmic reticulum releases calcium ions

Calcium attach to troponin

Causes troponin to change shape/moves tropomyosin

Exposes myosin binding site on actin

Cross bridge formation and a power stroke occurs

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Explain how a performer uses proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to increase flexibility (7) (14)

Can be passive

Usually involves a partner helping

Stretch target muscles to limit

Hold stretch position for a few seconds

Contract muscle group isometrically

Muscles relax

Stretch target muscles again

Aims to override the stretch reflex

Golgi tendon organs detect over stretching of muscles

Causes muscles to relax

Allows greater range of movement than the initial stretch

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Outline the physiological changes that will occur if the correct water and electrolyte balance is not maintained (7) (14)

Blood thickens

Increase in heart rate

Reduction in blood flow to working muscles

Blood flow to skin reduced

Slows reaction time

Muscle fatigue

Muscle cramps

Irregular heart beat

Disruption of removal of waste products

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With reference to the sliding filament hypothesis, explain the roles of tropomyosin and troponin during muscles contraction (4)

Tropomyosin prevents myosin attaching to actin

Sarcoplasmic reticulum releases calcium ions

Calcium ions attach to troponin

Causes shape of troponin to alter

Tropomyosin binds to actin

Exposes myosin binding site

Allows myosin to bind to actin/cross bridge forms

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Explain how energy is provided allowing the athlete to complete the shot put (3)

Stored ATP

Alactic system

PC breakdown

To creatine and phosphate

Energy released to perform the contraction

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Identify the energy sources that a performer may use during competition (3)

Carbohydrates

Protein

Fats

Creatine

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Explain how thermoregulation is achieved by the body during exercise (4)

Thermoreceptors - detect temperature change and sends messages

Thermoregulatory centre - receives message

Vasodilation - opening of blood vessels

Radiation - heat lost by infrared Rays

Conduction - heat lost from skin

Evaporation - heat lost by liquid to vapour - sweating

Heat retention - shivering

Vasoconstriction - closing of blood vessels

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Discuss the role and effectiveness of the supplements creatine and caffeine (7) (14)

Protein aims to build/increase muscle mass

May be used by vegetarians to supplement diet

Overuse may damage kidneys

Creatine aims to aid ATP resynthesis

Possible benefits for power athletes

Can cause muscle cramps

Caffeine aims to increase alertness

Improves decision making/reaction time

Can cause insomnia and irregular heart beat

Outline the stages and function of the kerbs cycle (3)

Pyruvic acid combines with acetylCoA

Fatty acids combine with acetylCoA

Beta oxidation occurs

Oxaloacetic acid is produced

Oxaloacetic acid combines with CoA

Forms citric acid

Oxidation of citric acid

Hydrogen ions produced

Explain the factors that affect the rate of lactate accumulation (4)

OBLA - point at which lactate starts to accumulate in blood

Occurs as body is unable to provide enough oxygen to break down lactic acid

Intensity of exercise - higher intensity the faster OBLA occurs

VO2 max - higher the VO2 max the more delayed OBLA

Respiratory exchange ratio - closer the value to 1 the quicker OBLA occurs

Name the muscle fibre type in use during an endurance event and identify the physiological characteristics that allow these muscle fibres to work for an extended period of time (3)

Slow twitch

High number of mitochondria

High capillary density

High levels of triglycerides

In a marathon, explain how the majority of energy used during the event would bee provided (7) (14)

Majority produced by the aerobic system

Glycolysis

Glucose broken down into pyruvate

2 ATP produced

Kerbs cycle

Beta oxidation of fats

Electron transport chain

Water formed

Large quantities of ATP produced (34-36)

Explain how the use of an ice bath can help reduce DOMS (4)

Involves sitting in ice cold water for 5-20 minutes

Causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels

Restricting blood flow to the area

Reduces swelling

After leaving the bath vasodilation occurs so area is flooded with new blood

Fresh oxygen removes lactic acid

Some studies suggest ice baths are of limited value

Explain how a swimmer would use periodisation to prepare for competitions (4)

Pre season training - involves development of base levels of fitness Competitive phase - refinement of skills Tapering - preparation for specific competition Transition phase - active rest/out of season recovery period Macrocycles - long term planning/yearly Mesocycles - periods of 2-8 weeks Microcycles - periods of a day - week

How can a performer reduce the effect of DOMS? (3)

Active warm up/cool down Avoid eccentric contractions early in session Gradually increase intensity of workload Massage Ice baths

Explain the term lactate sampling (2) (4)

Taking blood samples to measure the levels of lactic acid Ensures training is at the correct intensity Provides accurate/objective measure Measures OBLA

Explain the term respiratory exchange ratio (2) (4)

Ratio of carbon dioxide released compared to oxygen used by the body Estimates use of fats and carbohydrates used during exercise Tells if performer working aerobically/anaerobically RER close to 1 performer using carbohydrates/RER close to 0.7 using fats

How may hyperbaric chambers aid injury rehabilitation (3)

Reduces pressure at injured area/reduces swelling Delivers oxygen at high pressure 100% pure oxygen Haemoglobin fully saturated with oxygen Excess oxygen dissolves in plasma Oxygen reaches parts of body that not normally saturated Increased white blood cell activity at injured site Increased blood supply

Explain how a performer may have used periodisation (7) (14)

Periodisation is dividing the year into training phases Pre season phase - involves developments of base levels of fitness Competition phase - refinement of skills Tapering - preparation for specific competition Transition phase - active rest/out of season period Macro cycle - long term planning/yearly Meso cycle - periods of 2-8 weeks Micro cycle - periods of a day - week

Other than warm up, cool down and correct equipment, what precautions can be taken to prevent injury (3)

Correct recovery time/don't over train Modify techniques Neoprene supports/taping Conditioning Correct diet Long term athlete development programme Ice baths Massages

Using newtons first and second laws of motion, explain how the swimmer dives off the starting blocks (4)

First - performer will remain on blocks unless force applied - performer moves forward with constant velocity until another force is applied - force is applied by muscles Second - mass of swimmer is constant - greater the force exerted on blocks, the greater the acceleration - force governs direction

Explain how a gymnast can alter the speed of rotation during flight (7) (14)

Angular momentum remains constant during rotation Angular momentum = moment of inertia x angular velocity Angular momentum - quantity of rotation Angular velocity - speed of rotation Moment of inertia - reluctance of the body to move To slow down gymnast increase MOI Achieved by extending body To increase speed gymnast decreases MOI Achieved by bringing body parts towards rotational axis

Using Newton's second law of motion, explain how a sprinter is able to accelerate towards the finish line (3)

Mass of runner is constant Force = mass x acceleration Greater the force exerted on floor, the greater the acceleration Force governs direction Force provided by muscular contraction

Name three factors that affect the distance the shot travels (1)

Height Speed Angle of release

Sketch and label a graph to show the impulse generated during the the acceleration phase of a 200m race (3)

X axis - time (s) Y axis - force (N) Positive impulse clearly larger than negative impulse

Identify one vertical and one horizontal force acting on a performer when running in a 100m sprint (1)

Vertical - reaction forge/gravity Horizontal - friction/air resistance

Sketch two vector diagrams representing the differing resultant forces for a long jumper and a high jumper during take off (3)

Long - large horizontal force and small vertical - resultant force below 45 degrees High - large vertical force and small horizontal - resultant force closer to vertical

Using Newton's laws of motion, explain how a tennis player moves towards during a rally (7) (14)

Force is applied by muscles Law of inertia Performer will remain stationary unless a force is applied to overcome state of inertia Law of acceleration Force = mass X acceleration Mass of performer is constant Greater the force exerted on ground the greater acceleration Force governs direction Law of action and reaction Equal and opposite reaction force

Outline how the force of a muscle contraction can be varied to ensure that skills are executed correctly (7) (14)

Larger motor units for more powerful contraction Multiple unit summation Number of units recruited All or nothing law Wave summation Frequency of impulse Motor unit unable to relax Spatial summation Rotating frequency of the impulse to delay fatigue Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length - send info to CNS Compares to LTM to ensure correct force applied

Outline the advantages and disadvantages of the ATP PC system (4)

+ Energy realised quickly + ATP-PC recovers quickly + no bi products formed - limited stores of PC - high intensity exercise can only be computed briefly - 10 seconds

What is the effect on ATP and PC stores of short periods of high intensity exercise followed by recovery periods lasting up to 30 seconds? Justify your answer. (3)

ATP/PC levels decrease during exercise ATP/PC cup plying energy Resynthesis end during recovery Insufficient recovery time to fully replenish

Explain how an increase in VO2 max AIDS the performance of a player during extended periods of high intensity exercise (3)

Max volume of oxygen utilised per minute More oxygen available prevents lactic acid build up Lactate threshold higher Increased oxygen carrying capacity

Explain how lactic acid is removed from the body (4)

Using oxygen Converted to pyruvate Then to CO2 and water In liver Converted to protein Some excreted in sweat/urine

Explain how the muscular and nervous systems work together during plyometrics exercises (4)

Involves fast twitch fibres Eccentric contraction happens first Followed by concentric Stretch reflex activated Detected by muscle spindles Send nerve impulse to CNS

Name and explain three rehabilitation techniques elite athletes may use to recover from a soft tissue injury (3)

RICE - rest ice compression elevation Hyperbaric chamber - sit inside chamber where high pressure oxygen forced into the muscles Ice bath - sit in cold water for short period of time to restrict blood flow, on leaving bath fresh oxygenated blood rushes into the muscles