How many SCSA Physical Education Studies questions cover Exercise physiology?

AusGrader has 106 SCSA Physical Education Studies questions on Exercise physiology, all with instant AI grading and detailed marking feedback.

SCSA (WACE) Physical Education Studies — Exercise physiology Questions & Answers | AusGrader

Q4

2023

SCSA

1 mark

Q4

1 mark

During an athlete's off-season, it is highly beneficial for them to

A

ensure they taper so that they are in peak performance for pre-season.

B

increase their intensity.

C

continue increasing their level of fitness.

D

allow for rest and recovery while maintaining some fitness levels.

Q11

2021

SCSA

1 mark

Q11

1 mark

In the lead-up to an event, an élite endurance athlete would increase their carbohydrate intake. This process, also known as ‘carbohydrate loading’,

A

requires no change to training load leading up to the event.

B

increases muscle glycogen stores prior to the race.

C

is intended to prolong the use of fats as the major fuel source.

D

requires an increase to training load leading up to the event.

Q26

2024

SCSA

6 marks

Q26

The State cross-country squad has been involved in a two-day workshop to develop their understanding of nutritional strategies in order to optimise performance on race day.

Q26a

4 marks

Describe two nutritional requirements a cross-country runner would need to consider on the morning of a race due to start at noon.

Answers could include:

easily digestible foods, low in fibre and fat – prevents stomach discomfort
carbohydrates – primary energy source for the event
a low GI meal prior to the race – leads to the slow release of glucose into the blood stream for sustained energy over the course of the event
a high GI snack 15–30 minutes prior to the race – quickly releases glucose into the blood stream to energise the runner at the start of the event
hyperhydration (800 mL–1 L of fluid) – delays dehydration.

Marking Criteria

Nutritional requirement 1

Marking Bands

Descriptor	Marks
Describes a nutritional requirement a cross country runner would need to consider on the morning of a race due to start at noon	2
States a nutritional requirement of a cross country runner	1
None of the above	0

Nutritional requirement 2

Marking Bands

Descriptor	Marks
Describes a nutritional requirement a cross country runner would need to consider on the morning of a race due to start at noon	2
States a nutritional requirement of a cross country runner	1
None of the above	0

Q26b

2 marks

Sports drinks have been known to be recommended during or between races.

Outline two advantages of consuming sports drinks.

Sports drink contain (any 2 of the following):

carbohydrates to assist with glycogen sparing to maintain energy
sodium and electrolytes to assist in maintaining hydration levels
potassium to maintain electrolyte balance and aid in muscle contraction during exercise
water to maintain fluid levels

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Describes two advantages of sports drinks	2
Describes one advantage of sports drinks	1
None of the above	0

Q29

2023

SCSA

15 marks

Q29

15 marks

In late 2022, Brett Robinson and Sinead Diver broke the men's and women's Australian marathon records, respectively, within hours of each other and at separate events. This was as a result of well-planned out and executed training programs in their preparation for these events.

Explain how a marathon runner's performance can be improved through their training program, in relation to the following five aspects:

specific energy system requirements
tapering
peaking
periodisation
avoiding overtraining.

The runner needs to train the aerobic energy system as a marathon event is longer in duration and requires oxygen. Short recovery time between sets is an important feature of interval training for marathon runners, and the short recovery ensures the body uses aerobic pathways for energy production as short recovery does not allow for anaerobic fuel sources to be stored.

For tapering, runners need to ensure they are reducing volume and increasing or maintaining intensities to maximise performance. It allows for recovery at appropriate times during the program when events occur to optimise performance, and ideally, they would want to taper 4 to 28 days prior to any major event.

Peaking is enabling the body to be in an optimal performance state or ‘in the zone’, with the runner ready to perform from a psychological, physiological, technical and tactical perspective. They must ensure peaking is completed in line with the runner’s major event/competition, and it is used in conjunction with tapering.

For periodisation, organising their program into periods assists in preventing overtraining and allows for peaking to occur for the runner, i.e. macro/micro cycles, pre-season, in-season or off-season. The objectives for pre-season are to increase aerobic conditioning to prepare for the physical demands of the season, and the objectives in-season are for runners to perform at their optimal best for competitions/events.

To prevent overtraining, the runner will want to avoid exercising too much so that it exceeds their recovery period/capacity, which no longer leads to performance improvement due to an imbalance between their work and rest. They should implement progressive overload/periodisation correctly by increasing volume and intensity with appropriate recovery periods to ensure adequate work:rest ratio at the right time, and the runner should have a variety of activities in the training program to avoid loss of interest or staleness, i.e. different methods, such as cross training.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Explains that the runner needs to train the aerobic energy system because a marathon is long in duration and requires oxygen	1
Describes one specific training feature and its physiological benefit (1 mark for feature, 1 mark for benefit), such as: Short recovery in interval training (1) ensures use of aerobic pathways (1), Long distances in continuous/fartlek training (1) ensures use of aerobic pathways (1) Large repetitions of medium/long intervals allows more time at higher intensities (1) which improves maximum aerobic capacity and works more muscle fibres (1)	2
Explains that tapering involves reducing volume and increasing/maintaining intensity to maximise performance	1
Describes up to two aspects of tapering (1 mark each), such as: Allows for recovery at appropriate times Ideally occurs 4 to 28 days prior to a major event Leads to athletes peaking in optimal condition Ensures adequate glycogen stores Should be individualised	2
Defines peaking as enabling the body to be in an optimal performance state ('in the zone') from a psychological, physiological, technical, and tactical perspective	1
Describes up to two aspects of peaking (1 mark each), such as: Completed in line with the major event/competition Used in conjunction with tapering Used in conjunction with recovery periods to reduce injury risk Should be individualised	2
Describes up to three aspects of periodisation (1 mark each), such as: Organising the program into periods prevents overtraining and allows peaking Pre-season objectives (increasing aerobic conditioning) In-season objectives (performing at optimal best) Off-season objectives (resting and managing injuries) Objectives of macro or micro cycles with examples	3
Describes up to three aspects of overtraining (1 mark each), such as: Avoiding exercising beyond recovery capacity (imbalance between work and rest) Implementing progressive overload/periodisation correctly with appropriate recovery Using a variety of activities (e.g., cross training) to avoid staleness Having knowledge of overtraining symptoms to make immediate changes	3

Q25

2021

SCSA

10 marks

Q25

Australian runner, Sinead Diver, ran the third fastest marathon for an Australian female at the London Marathon in 2019.

Q25a (i)

2 marks

Define the term ‘peaking’.

Peaking is the planning of training in such a way that optimal performance is achieved at the time of competition.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Provides a well-defined answer, such as describing peaking as the planning of training in such a way that optimal performance is achieved at the time of competition.	2
Provides a simple answer, such as stating peaking is when an athlete is at their optimal performance state.	1
None of the above	0

Q25a (ii)

2 marks

Describe how Sinead could ensure ‘peaking’ occurs in her training.

Sample answers could include:

periodisation is the breaking up of a training program into blocks of time with specific objectives or goals that link to recovery for peaking
tapering is the reduction in training volume and duration, and increase/maintain training intensity in the lead-up to her event.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
Describes method/s of ensuring peaking occurs in her training	2
States method/s of ensuring peaking occurs in her training	1
None of the above	0

Q25b

3 marks

List three ways in which Sinead could adjust her fitness training for the two weeks before a marathon.

Identifies any 3 of:

reduces duration of training
reduces frequency of training
increases intensity of training
adds extra recovery sessions, e.g. pool running
includes strategies such as massage, rest days etc.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
1 mark for each correct point (any 3 of): reduces duration of training; reduces frequency of training; increases intensity of training; adds extra recovery sessions, e.g. pool running; includes strategies such as massage, rest days etc.	3

Q25c

3 marks

A golfer is preparing for a golf tournament.

Would the golfer adjust their training program in the same way Sinead has to prepare for a marathon? Justify your response.

No. Golf is a low intensity aerobic activity, and tapering is most beneficial for endurance athletes.

Marking Criteria

Descriptor	Marks
States 'No'.	1
Identifies that golf is a low intensity aerobic activity	1
Identifies that tapering is most beneficial for endurance athletes	1

SCSA Physical Education Studies Exercise physiology

Nutritional requirement 1

Nutritional requirement 2

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