Physiology Questions Flashcards
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Identify the energy sources that a performer may use during competition (3)
Carbohydrates
Protein
Fats
Creatine
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
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
