S1 Revision

What is the function of a sesamoid bone like the patella?

Protects tendons and increases leverage

What is the function of long bones like the humerus?

Long bones are the most important bones for movement

What is the function of short bones like the carpals?

Short bones primarily function to support and stabilize

What is the function of irregular bones like the vertebrae?

Irregular bones have specialised shapes and functions

What is the function of flat bones like the sternum?

Essential in providing protection and large surface area for muscle attachment.

Distinguish between the axial and appendicular skeleton.

The axial skeleton consists of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, and supports and protects vital organs; the appendicular skeleton consists of limbs and girdles, and enables movement.

Give an example and movements allowed for a Ball and Socket Synovial Joint

Shoulder / Hip; Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction

Give an example and movements allowed for a Hinge Synovial Joint

Knee / Elbow; Flexion and extension (in one plane)

Give an example and movements allowed for a Pivot Synovial Joint

Atlas and axis (neck); Allows bone rotation about another bone

Give an example and movements allowed for a Saddle Synovial Joint

Thumb (carpometacarpal); Flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, circumduction

Describe the difference between flexion and extension.

Flexion is the bending of a joint, decreasing the angle between bones. Extension is the straightening of a joint, increasing the angle.

List six functions of the skeletal system.

Support and maintain posture, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production (hematopoiesis), energy storage (lipids in yellow bone marrow)

Explain how muscles work in antagonistic pairs using an example from a sporting movement.

Muscles work in pairs: when one contracts (agonist), the other relaxes (antagonist). For example, in a bicep curl, the biceps contract while the triceps relax.

Distinguish between the three types of muscle (skeletal, smooth, cardiac).

Skeletal: Voluntary, striated, attached to bones for movement. Smooth: Involuntary, found in organs like intestines and blood vessels. Cardiac: Involuntary, striated, found only in the heart.

Define biomechanics.

The study of mechanical principles applied to human movement and sport performance

Outline three types of motion and provide a sporting example for each.

Linear: Movement in a straight line (100m sprint). Angular: Movement around an axis (Gymnast swinging on bar). General: Combination of linear and angular (Cycling)

State three factors that affect stability in sport.

Centre of Mass, Base of Support, Line of gravity

Explain how the centre of mass impacts performance.

The centre of mass affects balance and control. A lower centre of mass for a gymnast increases stability. In gymnastics, keeping the centre of mass aligned over the base of support helps the gymnast maintain balance on the beam.

Describe Newton’s laws.

First Law: an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net force. Second Law: force equals mass multiplied by acceleration/ f=ma. Third Law: to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

List the three factors affecting projectile motion.

Angle of release, Speed (or velocity) of release, Height of release

Explain how gravity impacts the path of a projectile.

Gravity is the downward force acting upon a projectile that influences its vertical motion and causes the parabolic trajectory that is characteristic of projectiles.

Define personality

The relatively stable and enduring aspects of individuals which distinguish them from other people, making them unique but at the same time permit a comparison between individuals

Briefly describe social learning theory and apply it to a sports example.

Social learning theory suggests behaviour is learned by observing and imitating others, especially role models. A young footballer copies the technique of a professional player they watch on TV

Outline the interactionist approach and apply it to performance consistency in team sports.

The interactionist approach states personality is a result of both inherited traits and environmental influences. For example, A player who is usually calm becomes aggressive in high-pressure games due to crowd influence or team expectations.

Distinguish between process, performance and outcome goals with sporting examples.

Process Goals: Focuses on technique or actions required to perform a skill. Performance Goal: Related to personal standards of performance, not compared to others. Outcome Goal: Focuses on the end result or comparison with others.

Evaluate the benefits of using process goals over outcome goals.

Process goals are within the athlete’s control and can improve focus and technique. They reduce pressure linked to winning and can build confidence through small successes. Outcome goals may depend on others (e.g., opponent’s performance), which can create anxiety.

Define motivation and distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.

Motivation is the internal or external drive to achieve a goal. Intrinsic = motivation from within (e.g., enjoyment); Extrinsic = motivation from external rewards (e.g., trophies).

Explain how extrinsic rewards can impact intrinsic motivation in athletes.

Extrinsic rewards can enhance motivation if they reinforce effort or skill improvement. But they can undermine intrinsic motivation if overused or if athletes become focused only on rewards, not enjoyment.

Define stress

A response to a perceived challenge or threat, which can be physical or psychological

Define arousal

A state of physical and mental alertness or readiness for action, ranging from deep sleep to intense excitement

Define anxiety

A negative emotional state involving worry, nervousness, and apprehension, often with physiological symptoms

Explain the inverted-U theory and apply it to a sport of your choice.

The inverted-U theory suggests performance improves with arousal to an optimal point, then decreases if arousal becomes too high. Too little arousal = underperformance; too much = anxiety, mistakes.

Distinguish between Cognitive vs. Somatic anxiety

Cognitive anxiety is psychological—worry, negative thoughts. Somatic anxiety is physiological—sweating, increased heart rate

Distinguish between Trait & State anxiety

Trait anxiety is a personality characteristic—tendency to perceive situations as threatening. State anxiety is a temporary response to a specific situation, such as an important competition

What are the purposes and limitations of the SCAT and CSAI-2 tests in assessing anxiety?

SCAT: Used to evaluate how likely an athlete is to experience anxiety in competitive settings, measures trait anxiety but does not measure state anxiety and is self-report bias. CSAI-2: Used to assess an athlete’s anxiety just before a competition to see how it affects their performance, measures cognitive Anxiety, somatic anxiety and self- confidence but depends heavily on when the test is taken and is self-report bias.

Define psychological skills training (PST).

Psychological Skills Training (PST) in sport is the systematic practice of mental skills to enhance performance, enjoyment, and self-satisfaction, often focusing on techniques like goal-setting, self -talk, imagery and relaxation

Describe the following PST techniques: Progressive muscle relaxation, Breathing techniques, and Imagery.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that involves tensing and relaxing specific muscles to develop the athlete’s awareness of the difference between tension and relaxation. Breathing techniques are learned ways of breathing in deep, calm and focussed way to promote relaxation. Imagery is the mental practice of visualising movements, techniques and/or successful performance to enhance skills, focus, and confidence in competition.

Describe how imagery can benefit athletes in preparation and performance.

Imagery helps athletes mentally rehearse movements or strategies before performance, improving focus and readiness and can enhance confidence, reduce anxiety, and help athletes stay composed under pressure during competition