Distinguish between health-related and performance-related components of fitness.

Apply four components of fitness to the movement of a basketball player.

Using an example from a team sport, evaluate the concept of the psychological refractory period (PRP).

Outline five features of a synovial joint.

Explain what happens as an athlete breathes heavily after a basketball match.

Must include ALL components of fitness if listed.

speed eg required to attack the opposition’s basket quickly;

power eg is required to jump up to shoot above a defender’s reach;

<hand-eye> coordination eg is required to catch/pass/dribble the basketball;

agility eg is required to change direction quickly when defending a player on the ball;

balance eg is required when landing from a rebound/jump shot;

reaction time eg a defender swing the arm to steal the ball of an attacker when dribbling;

strength eg is required when two opponent players grab the ball at the same time and pull;

flexibility eg good range of motion is required when performing a defensive stance;

cardio-respiratory fitness eg is required to sustain good performance throughout the length of the match;

muscular endurance eg is required when a player performs multiple jumps to dispute a rebound;

body composition eg having the appropriate percentages of fat, bone, water and muscle for a basketball player;

Accept any suitable application of any component of fitness (health-related / performance-related).
Award [1] max per component.

when a stimulus is closely followed by a second stimulus, the first stimulus must be cleared before the second can be processed
OR
S2 only becomes relevant when S1 is finished with;

the delay in reaction time to a second stimulus is called the psychological refractory period;

Strengths:
can be used to help a performer have greater chances of success eg pretending to pass / run one direction then quickly changing to pass / run the other way;

provides a performer with a greater range of options in their play;

external noise eg other players calling, or crowd noise can enhance the effectiveness of the PRP;

the more options that a player has will increase the reaction time to the stimulus <Hick’s law> eg the defender sees that an attacker has a number of passing options;

Limitations:
if a performer uses it too often, they will become predictable and this limits success eg dummying once to the left before leading to the right;

PRP may be reduced by anticipation/early cue detection/effective coach analysis/ practising «open» skills eg a football player would be able to detect cues earlier than a swimmer;

anxiety might make the performer get the timing wrong and thus the PRP is not effective;

Award max [2] for an explanation of the PRP including a schematic representation if no example or evaluation is provided.

Award max [4] if only strengths or limitations provided.

[Source: Psychological refractory period adapted from Multidix, https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/, Single channel hypothesis by International Baccalaureate Organization]

Articular cartilage:
smooth tissue which covers the surface of articulating bone;

absorbs shock and allows friction free movement;

Synovial membrane:
location just inside the articular capsule;

secretes synovial fluid into the joint;

Synovial fluid:
lubricating liquid with the joint capsule;

reduces friction and nourishes the articular cartilage;

Bursae:
fluid filled sacs located where a tendon moves over a bone;

reduces the friction between tendons and bones;

Meniscus:
fibro-cartilage located at the knee joint;

shock absorption <and load bearing> at the knee;

Ligaments:
tough bands of fibrous <slightly elastic> connective tissue;

connects bone to bone <stabilizing the joint during movement>;

Articular capsule:
a fibrous sac that surrounds/encloses the joint;

provides strength to the joint;

Award [1] max per feature.

the greater the intensity of the exercise, the greater the EPOC;

initial stages of exercise, oxygen demand cannot be met by the aerobic system <oxygen deficit>
OR
initial stages are met by anaerobic processes;

oxygen deficit is paid back after exercise/oxygen debt;

alactacid/fast component is replenished with the first few minutes
OR
alactacid/fast component requires relatively less oxygen compared to the lactacid/slow component;

ATP and CP/PC stores are replenished;

myoglobin oxygen levels are replenished;

aerobically metabolize lactic acid;

resynthesize lactate to glycogen;

replacement of muscle / liver glycogen stores;

Students who decided to list the fitness components performed better than the ones who tried to define both types (health/performance related).

Generally, well answered with good examples. Some students are confusing strength and muscular endurance, and also speed and agility.

Most of the students were awarded at least 2 or 3 marks, but once again students did not approach the command term "evaluate" as the guide describes, so only a few wrote about the strengths/weaknesses. Good examples provided.

Generally, well answered and most of students gained 3 or 4 marks, but some were confused between synovial membrane/articular capsule or synovial fluid/bursae

Not many students were awarded full marks in this question, although most of them identified the main topic as EPOC