The diagram shows a shot putter.

Identify two possible benefits of genetic screening in shot put.

Using sporting examples, distinguish the physiological characteristics of high-intensity and endurance activities.

A 1500 m runner accelerates at the start of a race until they reach their desired speed. In the final stage, they sprint towards the finish line. After the race, they perform an active recovery. Explain the phenomena of oxygen deficit and oxygen debt (EPOC) during and after the race.

Explain why an elite basketballer would be able to process relevant sporting signals more effectively than a novice.

Using examples, describe how three different types of drag can be reduced in swimming.

identification of life-threatening conditions, such as risk of sudden cardiac death, connective tissue disorder;

potential to predict susceptibility to injury and so reduce risk / improve safety for an individual athlete;

potential talent identification;

detection of gene doping;

Accept any appropriate sporting example.

Oxygen deficit:

when exercise begins, the aerobic system cannot supply the required energy;

anaerobic systems <ATP–PC, lactic acid> meet the shortfall;

oxygen demand is greater than oxygen supply;

deficit increases during final sprint;

Oxygen debt (EPOC):

oxygen consumption is elevated / EPOC after the event <to replenish oxygen deficit>;

will remain high until carbon dioxide and lactic acid levels return to normal;

restoration of PC;

EPOC can be divided into the fast/alactacid component where PC is restored and the slow/lactacid component where metabolic by-products are removed;

Max [2] each for oxygen deficit and debt.

Max [2] for annotated diagram to represent MP1 and MP5.

elite athlete:

detection:

able to filter actual signals from the distraction of “noise”;

can correctly interpret signals more than novice athlete due to experience;

selective attention to correct stimulus / ability to detect signals sooner than novice;

comparison:

has a more extensive long-term memory bank to draw on to compare the stimuli to;

recognition:

the process of finding a corresponding stimulus in memory is more developed;

able to spend little/no attention focused on executing movement / they are in autonomous phase of learning therefore full focus on signals received;

Accept appropriate explanation in the converse.

Surface drag:

as a body moves through a fluid, its outer surface catches a layer of the fluid nearby, slowing it down compared to the fluid further away;

this can be minimized by changing the surface to reduce the interaction between surface and fluid;

example: the use of shark-skin suits in swimming or shaving the swimmer’s body to make it smooth;

Form drag:

as a body pushes against a fluid, the fluid pushes back;

by streamlining the body and minimizing the surface area facing the direction of the motion;

example: adopting a low-profile position during diving into the water, during the strokes and tumble turns;

Wave drag:

when a body moves along the surface of a fluid some fluid is displaced to form a wave;

these waves cause additional forces that oppose motion;

wave drag can be reduced by avoiding motion at the interface between air and water;

example: swimming underwater for as long as is allowed at the start of a race, use of waveless swimming pools;

Answers must give examples from swimming.

Max [2] for each type of drag.

Many candidates were able to access full marks for this question. However, at times candidates often repeated themselves, either giving similar answers for identifying life threatening diseases or similar responses for talent identification.

Candidates were mainly able to access 1 mark by providing appropriate sporting examples. However few candidates referred to fuel or provide specific reference to intensity. Those who accessed a second mark tended to provide the general method of resynthesis of ATP. As this question required candidates to distinguish, they were required to provide the factor for both high-intensity and endurance to be credited a mark.

Most candidates understood that oxygen is paid back after exercise during recovery. Some were able to describe how oxygen deficit develops. Candidates struggled to provide much explanation of what happens during and after the 1500m race.

This was one of the more popular questions for question 10. Candidates appeared to be well prepared for this question and applied their knowledge effectively. G2 forms raised concerns about this question, however candidates approached this question logically. Many candidates were able to explain how experience of training lead to elite athletes able to filter noise more easily, develop more selective attention, use their memory to compare stimuli and be able to focus their attention to signals as they are autonomous in their skills. This was a strong area for candidates.

Many candidates appreciated the requirements of this question and approached their responses in a very logical way. Most candidates were able to provide accurate examples of how to reduce the effects of drag when swimming. However, there were still candidates who just provided the three examples to reduce drag without describing the types of drag. A number of candidates confused surface and form drag and therefore were unable to access the higher number of marks.