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Date November 2018 Marks available 4 Reference code 18N.3.HL:.tz0.2
Level Higher Level Paper Paper 3 Time zone time zone 0
Command term Discuss Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Define overreaching.

[1]
a.

Define overtraining.

[1]
b.

Discuss indicators of overtraining in an athlete.

[3]
c.

Discuss how training should be organised in the preparation phase of a sprinter training for the 2019 World Championships.

[4]
d.

Markscheme

overreaching is transient overtraining ✔

increasing frequency/intensity/duration of an exercise for improvement ✔

a.

overtraining is when an athlete attempts to do more training than he or she is able to physically and/or mentally tolerate ✔

b.

decreased appetite. Noticeable behavioural change in food intake leading to body weight loss/fat and muscle loss ✔

chronic soreness such as muscle or bone tenderness/soreness «which is a sign the muscles are not recovering» ✔

fatigue indicators including sleep disturbance «combination of nervous system and or hormonal system overload»/nausea ✔

elevated resting HR/BP ✔

unexplained decline in performance ✔

increased susceptibility to infections/reduced immune function/ continual catabolic state ✔

Award [1 max] for listing three indicators.

c.

periodization / mesocycle would be used for training for the world championships ✔

there may be multiple preparation phases within a macrocycle ✔

the preparation phase can be broken into mesocycles with a specific focus (1–3 months) ✔

used for optimizing performance where training will start broad and become more specific eg fitness ✔

multiple mesocycles can be broken down into microcycles (7–14 days) ✔

elicit specific adaptations for the sprinter by balancing high intensity work with rest and recovery ✔

d.

Examiners report

Students had a better understanding of overreaching definition.

a.

Students had a better understanding of overtraining definition.

b.

Students lost marks here as they did not follow the command term. Students listed rather than discussed so in many cases students were only awarded a max 1 mark.

c.

This question was not answered very well, rarely were 4 marks awarded. Students answers were superficial and repeated points without answering the question. Some students did not discuss periodization at all.

d.

Syllabus sections

Option A: Optimizing physiological performance » A.1. Training » A.1.4. Discuss how periodization should be organized to optimize performance and avoid overtraining and injury.
Option A: Optimizing physiological performance » A.1. Training
Option A: Optimizing physiological performance

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