PE AOS2

Intrapersonal issue

A factor within an individual that can influence their access to, inclusion, participation or performance in physical activity and sport. Example: An athlete experiencing anxiety may avoid competing in sport.

Concussion

A mild traumatic brain injury caused by a force or impact that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. It can affect memory, concentration, balance and coordination. Example: A football player experiences a concussion after colliding with another player.

Knee injury

Damage to structures within or around the knee joint, such as ligaments, cartilage or tendons. Knee injuries can limit movement and reduce participation in physical activity. Example: An athlete tears their ACL, making it difficult to run, jump and change direction.

Safety in sport

Measures and practices used to reduce the risk of injury and protect participants during physical activity. Example: Wearing protective equipment, completing a warm-up and following rules.

Psychological skills

Mental abilities that help athletes manage their thoughts, emotions and behaviours to improve participation and performance. Example: An athlete uses visualisation to prepare for a penalty shot.

Sleep

A period of rest that allows the body and brain to recover and function effectively. Poor sleep can negatively affect concentration, reaction time, mood and physical performance. Example: An athlete who regularly gets enough sleep may have better concentration during competition.

Sleep strategies

Techniques used to improve sleep quality and support physical and mental recovery. Examples: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed and creating a quiet sleeping environment.

Mental fitness

The ability to manage thoughts, emotions and challenges while maintaining psychological wellbeing. Example: An athlete remains focused and manages pressure after making a mistake.

Role of physical activity in mental fitness

Regular physical activity can improve mental fitness by reducing stress, improving mood, increasing confidence and supporting social connection. Example: Participating in a team sport can help an individual develop confidence and reduce feelings of isolation.

Elite sport pathways

Systems and opportunities that allow talented athletes to progress from beginner or community sport towards high-performance and elite competition. Example: A young athlete progresses from a local club into a state development program.

Responsibility of elite sport pathways

Elite sporting organisations have a responsibility to support athletes' physical and mental wellbeing, provide safe environments and promote positive sporting experiences. Example: An elite sporting organisation provides athletes with access to medical staff and mental health support.

Interpersonal issue

A factor involving relationships, interactions or social environments that can influence access, inclusion, participation and performance in sport. Example: A supportive coach can encourage an athlete to continue participating.

Geographic location

The physical location where an individual lives, which can influence their access to sporting facilities, programs and opportunities. Example: Someone living in a rural area may have fewer nearby sporting clubs than someone living in Melbourne.

Rural location

An area outside major cities, often with a smaller population and fewer sporting facilities or organised sporting opportunities. Example: A rural athlete may need to travel a long distance to access a specialised training facility.

Urban location

A town or city with a larger population and generally greater access to sporting facilities, clubs and programs. Example: An individual living in Melbourne may have access to multiple gyms, swimming pools and sporting clubs.

Coaching

The process of guiding, instructing and supporting athletes to develop skills, improve performance and participate safely in sport. Example: A coach provides feedback to help a player improve their technique.

Autocratic coaching style

A coaching approach where the coach makes most decisions and expects athletes to follow instructions. It involves high coach control and limited athlete input. Example: A coach decides the entire training session and tells players exactly what to do.

Democratic coaching style

A coaching approach where the coach involves athletes in decision-making and encourages their opinions and feedback. Example: A coach allows players to contribute ideas when deciding team strategies.

Laissez-faire coaching style

A coaching approach where athletes have a high level of independence, with minimal coach direction or involvement. Example: A coach allows experienced athletes to organise parts of their own training.

Ethical behaviour in coaching

Acting fairly, respectfully and responsibly while prioritising athletes' wellbeing and treating participants equally. Example: A coach gives all athletes equal opportunities and does not discriminate against players.

Safeguarding athletes

Actions taken by sporting organisations and coaches to protect athletes from abuse, harassment, discrimination, neglect and unsafe environments. Example: A sporting club has clear reporting procedures for inappropriate coach behaviour.

Sports technology

Equipment, devices and systems used to assist athletes, coaches and officials with training, performance, safety and decision-making. Example: GPS tracking devices monitor an athlete's movement and distance covered during training.

Performance analysis technology

Technology used to collect and analyse information about an athlete's performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Example: Video analysis allows a coach to identify errors in an athlete's running technique.

Wearable technology

Devices worn on the body that collect information about physical activity and performance. Example: A smartwatch tracks heart rate, distance and exercise duration.

Technology improving participation

Technology can increase access to sport by making activities more accessible, adaptable and inclusive. Example: Assistive sporting equipment allows people with physical disabilities to participate in sport.

Technology negatively affecting sport

Technology can create disadvantages when equipment is expensive, unavailable or provides certain athletes with an unfair advantage. Example: Wealthier sporting teams may have access to more advanced performance-analysis equipment.

Media

Forms of communication used to share information, news and content with the public, including television, newspapers and social media. Example: Television broadcasts major sporting events to large audiences.

Positive media impacts

Media can increase awareness of sport, promote participation, provide role models and improve visibility for underrepresented athletes. Example: Media coverage of women's sport can encourage more girls to participate.

Negative media impacts

Media can reinforce stereotypes, create unrealistic expectations, spread negative messages and place pressure on athletes. Example: Negative social media comments can affect an athlete's confidence and mental wellbeing.

Media influence on beliefs and behaviour

Media can shape how people think and act by influencing their attitudes, opinions and perceptions of sport. Example: Seeing positive coverage of Paralympic athletes may change people's attitudes towards disability sport.

Institutional inclusion

Policies and practices within sporting organisations that ensure people from different backgrounds have opportunities to participate. Example: A sporting organisation introduces policies to prevent discrimination.

Structural inclusion

Changes to the way sport is organised, funded and delivered to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities. Example: A sporting facility installs wheelchair-accessible entrances and equipment.

Equity in sport

Providing individuals with the support and resources they need to have fair opportunities to participate, recognising that different people may require different levels of support. Example: A sporting club provides modified equipment to support an athlete with a disability.

Equality in sport

Providing everyone with the same opportunities, resources or treatment regardless of their individual needs. Example: Every athlete is given the same amount of training time.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in sport

Sporting inclusion involves recognising and addressing barriers that may limit participation, while respecting Indigenous cultures, identities and experiences. Example: A sporting organisation works with local Indigenous communities to create culturally safe sporting programs.

Cultural diversity

The presence of people from different cultural, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds within sport. Example: A club provides culturally appropriate uniforms and considers religious practices when scheduling activities.

Physical diversity

Differences in people's physical abilities, characteristics and movement capabilities. Example: Modified sporting activities allow people with different physical abilities to participate.

Intellectual diversity

Differences in people's intellectual abilities and learning needs that may influence how they understand and participate in sport. Example: A coach uses simple instructions and demonstrations to support an athlete with an intellectual disability.

Gender diversity

Recognition and inclusion of people with different gender identities in sport. Example: A sporting organisation develops inclusive participation policies for transgender and gender-diverse athletes.

Sexual diversity

Recognition and inclusion of people with different sexual orientations in sport. Example: A sporting club introduces anti-discrimination policies to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ participants.

Gender equity

Ensuring people of all genders have fair opportunities, resources, recognition and treatment in sport. Example: A sporting organisation provides equal access to quality facilities and development opportunities.

Gender pay gap

The difference in average earnings between men and women in sport. Example: Professional male athletes may receive higher salaries and prize money than female athletes in the same sport.

Representation in coaching positions

The extent to which different genders are represented in coaching roles across sport. Example: Men may hold a larger proportion of senior coaching positions than women.

Representation in decision-making bodies

The extent to which different genders are represented in leadership positions where sporting policies and decisions are made. Example: A national sporting organisation increases the number of women on its board.

Barriers to gender equity

Factors that prevent people of different genders from receiving fair opportunities in sport. Examples: Unequal media coverage, differences in pay, fewer women in leadership positions and gender stereotypes.

Contemporary issue

A current or developing issue that affects physical activity and sport in society. Example: Gender inequality in professional sport.

Key concepts of a contemporary issue

The main ideas, factors and problems that explain and help understand a selected issue. Example: For gender inequality, key concepts may include unequal pay, media coverage and leadership representation.

Local perspective

How an issue affects individuals or communities within a specific local area. Example: A local sporting club has fewer opportunities for girls to participate.

National perspective

How an issue affects people, organisations or sporting systems across an entire country. Example: Gender inequality in Australian professional sport.

Global perspective

How an issue affects sport and physical activity internationally. Example: Differences in women's sporting opportunities between countries.

Historical perspective

How an issue developed and changed over time. Example: Women's participation in competitive sport was restricted in many sports in the past.

Current perspective

The way an issue exists and affects sport and physical activity today. Example: Women now compete professionally in many sports, although differences in pay and media coverage remain.

Future implications

The possible effects or developments an issue may have in the future. Example: Greater investment in women's sport could increase participation, media coverage and professional opportunities.

Access

The ability or opportunity for an individual to obtain and use sporting facilities, programs and services. Example: A person living near a swimming pool has easier access to swimming facilities.

Inclusion

Ensuring everyone feels welcomed, respected and supported to participate in sport, regardless of their background or abilities. Example: A club modifies activities so people with disabilities can participate.

Participation

The act of taking part in physical activity, sport or exercise. Example: Joining a local basketball club.

Performance

How effectively an individual or team completes a sporting activity or achieves a sporting result. Example: An athlete improves their sprint time through training.

Barrier

A factor that makes it difficult for an individual to access or participate in physical activity and sport. Example: High membership fees may prevent someone from joining a sporting club.

Enabler

A factor that makes it easier for an individual to access or participate in physical activity and sport. Example: Affordable community sporting programs encourage participation.