Practice for Test Week 2 SL [58 marks]

1. 19M.2.SL.TZ0.3

The diagram shows a skeletal muscle.

(a) Identify the structures A, B and C in the diagram.

[3]

Markscheme

A: epimysium ✔
B: muscle fibre/muscle cell/endomysium ✔
C: perimysium/ «muscle» fascicle ✔ [3]
(b) Define the term origin of a muscle.

[1]

Markscheme

«often proximal» attachment of a muscle tendon to a stationary bone ✔ Must refer

to stationary/non-moving/fixed end. [1]

(c) Explain the role of ATP in providing energy for a sprinter’s muscles to contract.

[3]

Markscheme

myosin heads use the breakdown of ATP to trigger the contraction process ✔ the
breakdown of ATP to ADP releases phosphate molecule ✔ the release of a
phosphate molecule provides the energy for muscle contraction ✔ ATP reattaches
to the myosin head and this causes the detachment of the cross bridge ready for
the next phase if necessary ✔ during sprinting the ATP will come from stores (2
seconds approximately) / from the ATP-PC system ✔ depending on the length of
the sprint the lactic acid process will provide sources of ATP ✔ [3]

(d) Explain reciprocal inhibition during knee extension when kicking.

[3]

Markscheme

reciprocal inhibition is a neuromuscular reflex that inhibits opposing muscles

«to enable voluntary movements» ✔ the quadriceps act as the agonist /
concentrically contracting ✔ the hamstrings act as the antagonist / relaxing to
enable knee extension ✔ [3]

(e) The diagram shows the lower leg.

Identify the elements A, B and C of the lever system.

[3]

Markscheme

A: effort/muscular force ✔
B: load/resistance force ✔
C: fulcrum/pivot ✔ [3]

(f.i) Using anatomical terminology, state the location of the tibia relative to the femur.

[1]

Markscheme

Inferior
OR
distal ✔ [1]

(f.ii) Using anatomical terminology, state the location of the fibula relative to the tibia.
 [1]

Markscheme

posterior
OR
lateral ✔ [1]

(f.iii) Using anatomical terminology, state the location of the patella relative to the tibia.

[1]

Markscheme

anterior
OR
proximal
OR
superior ✔ [1]

2. 19M.2.SL.TZ0.1

A study investigated the effect of plyometric exercise on sprint speed. (Plyometric

exercise involves rapid and repeated stretching and contracting of the muscles.) The mean
speed of each participant was measured during a 20 m sprint as a baseline and then in a
further five 20 m sprints. During the first 75 seconds of the interval between sprints the
participants carried out one of the following activities:

• Plyometric: three sets of alternate leg bounds (running-like movement, jumping from one leg to
the other consecutively)

• Control: continuous walking.

The graph shows the mean sprint speed and positive standard deviation value for both
conditions.
 A paired t-test was conducted to compare mean sprint speed at 4 minutes with mean
sprint speed at baseline. The results were:

• Plyometric condition: p < 0.05

• Control condition: p > 0.05

(a) Identify the time and condition with the highest mean sprint speed.

[1]

Markscheme

8 minutes
AND
plyometric ✔ [1]

(b) Calculate the difference in mean sprint speed, in m s–1, between baseline and at 4 minutes
for the plyometric condition.

[2]
 Markscheme

6.75 – 6.55 ✔
= 0.20 «m s–1» ✔ Accept calculations in the reverse.
Consider ECF [2]

(c) Using the data, discuss the hypothesis that plyometric exercise can improve
sprint performance.

[2]

Markscheme

plyometric exercise improved performance / hypothesis is supported ✔

The t-test supports the hypothesis that plyometric exercise improves
performance with p<0.05 «at 4 minutes» ✔
plyometric exercise did not improve performance prior to 4 minutes ✔
plyometric exercise was less effective after 8 minutes / plyometric condition
speed increased/was better than the control up to the 12-minute test period ✔ For
mark point 1, accept the use of the actual data for discussion. Also the reason for
the judgement needs to relate to the data. [2 max]

(d) Explain the reason for using a control condition in this study design.

[2]

Markscheme

the control condition allows for a comparison point for the experimenter
to compare the subjects speed with
OR
shows if there is an effect of the plyometric condition compared to walking only ✔
a control allows one factor to be investigated while all others are kept constant
OR
there are confounding variables in comparing outcomes with baseline data ✔ the
control condition allows the researcher to determine warm-up / fatigue effects ✔
control condition increases «internal» validity ✔ [2 max]

3. 17N.2.SL.TZ0.5

(a) Using examples, outline the function of the axial and appendicular skeleton during physical
activity.

[4]

Markscheme
 Axial skeleton:
provides protection of vital organs ✔ eg, skull protects the brain «during a tackle in
rugby» ✔ supports the weight of the upper body ✔ eg, vertebral column supports
the weight of the upper body «while balancing on a beam in gymnastics» ✔
Appendicular skeleton:
provides attachment for muscles ✔ eg, scapula provides attachment for rotator
cuff muscles «which support the shoulders during the rings and vaulting» ✔
provides levers to allow movement ✔ eg, humerus and ulna articulate to form a
lever «that allows for a more effective release of a javelin» ✔ Award [2 max] per
skeleton type for both function and example. Award [1 max] if either an outline or
example has not been provided. Accept any other suitable examples.

(b) Describe the mechanics of inspiration in the final stages of a cycling race.

[5]

Markscheme

diaphragm contracts
OR
flattens ✔ «external» intercostal muscles contract ✔ raising the rib cage upwards
and outwards ✔ this increases the thoracic volume ✔ this decreases the thoracic
pressure ✔ final stages of the race accessory muscles contract (eg, pectoralis
minor, sternocleidomastoid and scalenes) increase (thoracic) volume further ✔
Award [4 max] if there is no reference to accessory muscles.

(c) Explain the relative contributions of the three energy systems during a hockey or soccer
match.

[6]

Markscheme

all energy systems work in a continuum during physical activity depending on the
intensity / duration / fuel availability / oxygen availability ✔ ATP-CP System/PC
system/alactic system:
resynthesizes ATP during brief high intensity exercise «for more than 3 seconds
to less than 10 seconds» ✔ eg, in hockey/soccer when performing a
sprint/explosive movement for the ball at speed 20-60 m ✔ The lactic acid
system / anaerobic glycolysis:
resynthesizes ATP during short/medium high intensity exercise «between 10s−2
mins range» ✔ eg, in hockey/soccer during transition of play such as a counter
attack from defense ✔ Aerobic system:
hockey/soccer requires moderate/high intensity movements but is ongoing «more
than 2 minutes» ✔ used during recovery between high intensity bouts or during
lower intensity periods ✔ [2 max] eg, returning to the half way line after a goal is
scored ✔ Accept any reasonable ranges for duration. Accept other suitable
examples. Award [5 max] if all three systems are not mentioned. Award [3 max]
without applied examples.
 (d) Explain how characteristics of type IIb muscle fibres could enhance the performance of a
sprinter.

[5]

Markscheme

greater fibres per motor neuron therefore more fibre recruitment per contraction ✔
fast motor neuron conduction transports action potential quickly ✔
a highly developed sarcoplasmic reticulum helps spread the action potential
across the muscle fibre quickly ✔
«therefore» delivery of calcium is increased to the muscle cell ✔
«therefore» the contractile speed is fast ✔
high PC and ATP stores provide immediate source of energy for fast muscle
contraction ✔
high glycogen stores provide energy for high intensity movements ✔
have a high anaerobic capacity «which is important for sprinters» ✔
can produce an explosive performance «which is required at the start of the
event» ✔

4. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.15

The diagram shows a motor unit. In which area does the neurotransmitter acetylcholine act?
 [Source: Designua / Shutterstock.]

[1]

Markscheme

5. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.16

The diagram shows an athlete extending their left elbow while throwing a javelin. According to
the sliding filament theory, which occurs in the muscle fibres of the athlete’s left triceps?
 [Source: Eric Shamus, Jennifer Shamus: Sports Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation
www.accessphysiotherapy.com Copyright
© McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.]

A. The H zone increases.

B. The A band shortens.

C. The Z lines move closer together.

D. The A band lengthens.

[1]

Markscheme

6. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.17

The diagram shows a downhill speed skier. What type of muscle contraction occurs in the skier’s
quadriceps during this action?
 A. Isotonic eccentric

B. Isotonic concentric

C. Isokinetic

D. Isometric

[1]

Markscheme

7. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.20

A ball hit during a game of tennis is subject to Newton’s laws of motion. What will increase the
acceleration of the ball?

I. Increasing the angular velocity of the racket head

II. Increasing the force applied to the ball

III. Increasing the mass of the ball

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

[1]
 Markscheme

8. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.28

A series of fitness tests were conducted before and after a training programme to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programme. The table shows the mean results and probability (p) values.

Which fitness component shows no significant change?

A. Speed

B. Agility

C. Reaction time

D. Power

[1]

Markscheme

9. 22M.1.SL.TZ0.29

A study investigated the effects of a carbohydrate-rich mouthwash on soccer players. The

investigators used a double-blind protocol. What characterizes a double-blind study?

A. The investigators and participants know who is given the carbohydrate-rich mouthwash.

B. The investigators know which participants are given the carbohydrate-rich mouthwash but the
participants do not.

C. Neither the investigators nor the participants know which participants are given the
carbohydrate-rich mouthwash.
 D. The investigators know which participants are given a placebo but the participants do not.

[1]

Markscheme

10. 21N.1.SL.TZ0.16

The diagram shows a swimmer performing backstroke. What type of movement correctly
describes the motion at the shoulder joint?

A. Circumduction

B. Eversion

C. Adduction

D. Supination

[1]

Markscheme

11. 21N.1.SL.TZ0.17

Which term is correctly matched to the type of quantity that it measures?

 [1]

Markscheme

12. 21N.1.SL.TZ0.27

A group of baseball players hit both left handed and right handed. The mean distance travelled
by the ball is shown in the chart. What might be concluded about the statistical significance of
the data?
 A. LH group hits significantly further than the RH group.

B. RH group hits significantly further than the LH group.

C. LH group hits significantly shorter than the RH group.

D. RH group does not hit significantly further than the LH group.

[1]

Markscheme

13. 21N.1.SL.TZ0.20

When a golfer hits a golf ball with backspin, what is the effect of the spin on the ball?

A. It will create lift and bring the ball back down to the ground sooner.

B. It will generate a force that will cause the ball to curve to the side.

C. It will not alter the flight of the ball.

D. It will create lift and keep the ball in the air longer.

[1]

Markscheme

14. 21M.1.SL.TZ0.16

What is an example of an isotonic eccentric contraction for the triceps?

A. Lowering phase (elbow flexion) in a push-up

B. Lifting phase (elbow extension) in a push-up

C. Execution phase (elbow extension) when throwing a ball

D. Preparation phase (elbow flexion) when throwing a ball

[1]

Markscheme

A
15. 21M.1.SL.TZ0.18

What is an example of a first-class lever?

A. Triceps contracting, moving the elbow

B. Biceps contracting, moving the elbow

C. Quadriceps contracting, moving the knee

D. Hamstrings contracting, moving the knee

[1]

Markscheme

16. 21M.1.SL.TZ0.20

For successful completion, which event requires the greatest angle of release?

A. High jump

B. Long jump

C. Shot put

D. Discus

[1]

Markscheme

17. 21M.1.SL.TZ0.28

What does a large standard deviation indicate?

A. The data is clustered closely to the mean.

B. The data is spread widely around the mean.

C. The data is normally distributed.

D. The data is not normally distributed.

[1]

Markscheme

B
18. 20N.1.SL.TZ0.15

What type of movement takes place from Position A to Position B in the diagram?

[Source: Adapted from Kanthi.M.H, George V.I, Mruthyunjaya H.S, “Fuzzy logic control for active
Ankle Foot
Orthosis”, IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (Fuzz IEEE), Hyderabad, India, July
7–10, 2013.]

A. Eversion

B. Inversion

C. Dorsi flexion

D. Plantar flexion

[1]
Markscheme

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