Using an example, describe the phases of learning a skill.

Evaluate two valid tests of aerobic capacity.

Explain the process of gaseous exchange at the alveoli.

Discuss the role of hormones on glucose uptake during exercise.

Phases:

cognitive/verbal phase, associative/motor phase, autonomous phase ✔

Cognitive/verbal phase:

the activity is completely new to the learner/they are in the beginning/initial stage of the learning continuum ✔

performance is highly variable/shows a lack of consistency from one attempt to the next ✔

learners are less likely to self-correct/ require an external coach to provide feedback ✔

during the cognitive stage of learning, the beginner focuses on cognitively-orientated problems, for example, body position for skill execution/ how fast should I move this arm / rules of the game ✔

the change in the rate of improvement is faster in the cognitive phase ✔

Associative/motor phase:

a performer practices the task and can associate their movements with the mental image of the skill ✔

a performer begins to “feel” what a good performance is like kinaesthetically
OR
a performer begins to detect and correct errors in their performance/ begins to develop consistent movements ✔

Autonomous phase:

reaction time is shorter as motor programmes are well learnt «stored in long-term memory» ✔

skills appear automatic/instinctive as attention is focused elsewhere ‹for example on tactics, the move or pass or shot and on using fakes› ✔

a performer judges their own performance and is able to make changes without external feedback from a coach ✔

a performer will perform with a greater level of skill/consistency/accuracy/fluency / as they get closer to the autonomous phase ✔

Award [2 max] for each phase.

Award [5 max] if no example used.

Award [1 max] for an example for a phase.

[6 max]

apply to all:

strengths:

can administer to many at once ✔

inexpensive ✔

minimal equipment ✔

no training required to administer ✔

limitations:
are indirect measures of VO₂ max ✔

ALTERNATIVE TEST 1: Multistage fitness test/bleep test/Leger test

strengths:

large normative data available ✔

correlation with VO₂ max is good ✔

limitations:

as a maximal test, it relies heavily on psychological attributes ✔

requires lots of turning, which can be a confounding factor ✔

ALTERNATIVE TEST 2: Cooper’s 12-minute run

strengths:

limited turning involved ✔

easier for athletes to motivate themselves ✔

limitations:

relies on athlete pacing themselves correctly ✔

submaximal, meaning less accurate VO₂ max estimation ✔

ALTERNATIVE TEST 3: Harvard step test

strengths:

clearly paced by metronome ✔

submaximal nature makes it effective for people with health issues ✔

limitations:

significantly affected by lower body muscular endurance ✔

submaximal, meaning less accurate VO₂ max estimation ✔

Award [1 max] for listing 2 valid aerobic tests

Award [4 max] for each aerobic test.

Award [2 max] for strength or limitation for each test

[6 max]

gases diffuse across the alveoli membrane ✔

movement is from high to low partial pressure/concentration gradient ✔

oxygen partial pressure is higher in air breathed in compared to blood ✔

carbon dioxide has a higher partial pressure in blood compared to lungs ✔

the concentration gradient is maintained due to ventilation / blood flow ✔

diffusion is facilitated by the thin / moist barrier/ large alveoli surface area between blood and alveoli ✔

greater volumes of gases diffusing across alveoli membrane when exercising ✔

Accept answers in the converse where appropriate.

[4 max]

during exercise insulin is inhibited
OR
during exercise increased levels of sympathetic nervous system hormones «catecholamines» inhibits the release of insulin ✔

insulins role is to increase glucose uptake by muscle for glucose storage/gylcogensis ✔

during exercise adrenaline is released ✔

adrenaline stimulates glucose uptake «for glucose to be used» ✔

adrenaline promotes the conversion of glycogen to glucose/ glycogenolysis ✔

adrenaline promotes lipolysis/ catabolism of fatty acids ✔

when glucose levels in blood drop during exercise glucagon is released glucagon stimulates the conversion of glycogen to glucose/ glycogenolysis ✔

during exercise glucose uses transporters (GLUT4) ✔

vesicles containing GLUT4 are mobilised to the plasma membrane by exercise ✔

[4 max]

Half of the candidates understood the phases and achieved 4 or 5 marks but the other half had no idea. Therefore, the responses to this question were either very good or very poor.

Most students could name one test; however, several ‘described’ rather than ‘evaluated’ the tests.

Several students could name two valid tests and give 4 marking points on this question. They were able to identify the general strengths and limitations found in most field tests but many were unable to focus their responses on specific strengths or limitations that are unique to the tests mentioned.

When the candidates answered the correct question, they answered it very well. Most understood that the process involved diffusion and how O₂ and CO₂ are affected. Very few, if any, mentioned that greater volumes of gas move during exercise.

Many could not name specific hormones and when they did, many confused glucagon and insulin. Additionally, few mentioned adrenaline.