Health and Movement Science

What are the main functions and components of the skeletal system?

The skeletal system consists of bones, cartilage and joints; it provides support, protection, movement, blood cell production and mineral storage.

What are the main types of bones and their functions?

Long bones assist movement, short bones provide stability, flat bones protect organs and irregular bones have specialised functions.

What are the three types of joints and their movement abilities?

Fibrous joints are immovable, cartilaginous joints allow limited movement, and synovial joints allow free movement.

What structures support synovial joint movement?

Ligaments connect bones, tendons connect muscles to bones, synovial fluid reduces friction and cartilage protects bone ends.

How do muscles create movement?

Muscles contract and pull on bones, with bones acting as levers and joints acting as pivot points.

What are the functions of major muscles and muscle groups?

Muscles produce movement, maintain posture and stabilise joints; examples include biceps, quadriceps and hamstrings.

What are slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibres?

Slow-twitch fibres support endurance and resist fatigue, while fast-twitch fibres produce speed and power but fatigue quickly.

What are the types of muscle contractions?

Isotonic contractions involve movement; concentric shortens the muscle, eccentric lengthens it, and isometric produces no movement.

What are agonists, antagonists and stabilisers?

Agonists create movement, antagonists oppose movement and stabilisers maintain joint control.

What is biomechanics and why is it important?

Biomechanics studies forces and movement to improve safe, efficient performance.

What are the main types of motion?

Linear motion moves the body in one direction, angular motion rotates around an axis, and general motion combines both.

What factors influence balance and stability?

A lower centre of gravity, wider base of support and central line of gravity increase stability.

What are force, power and momentum in movement?

Force is a push or pull, power combines strength and speed, and momentum depends on mass and velocity.

How do fluid mechanics affect movement?

Drag slows movement, lift assists movement and flotation helps maintain position in water.

How do the respiratory and circulatory systems support exercise?

The respiratory system supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, while the circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients and wastes.

How do the digestive and endocrine systems support movement?

The digestive system provides nutrients for energy, while hormones regulate metabolism, energy supply and recovery.

What is the role of the nervous system in movement?

It controls muscle contractions, coordination, balance, reaction time and motor skill learning.

How do body systems work together during exercise?

Respiratory supplies oxygen, circulatory transports it, digestive provides nutrients, endocrine regulates energy and nervous system coordinates movement.

How can biomechanics prevent injury and improve performance?

Correct technique, alignment, force absorption, balance and reduced drag improve safety and efficiency.

What is the role of first aid in movement?

First aid reduces injury severity, prevents further damage and supports recovery of movement systems.

What is ATP and why is it important for movement?

ATP is the immediate energy source for muscle contractions; it breaks into ADP and phosphate to release energy and must be continually resynthesised.

What are the three energy systems?

ATP-PCr, glycolytic (lactic acid) and aerobic systems that work together to produce ATP.

What is the ATP-PCr system?

An anaerobic system using phosphocreatine for rapid ATP production during maximal activity lasting 0–10 seconds.

What are the features and examples of the glycolytic system?

It is anaerobic, uses glucose/glycogen, produces moderate ATP for 10 seconds–2 minutes and supports activities like 400m sprinting.

What are the features and examples of the aerobic system?

It uses oxygen, produces the most ATP and dominates activities over 2–3 minutes such as marathons and cycling.

How do energy systems work together?

All systems operate together, but one becomes dominant depending on exercise intensity and duration.

How do carbohydrates, fats and proteins support energy production?

Carbohydrates are the main ATP fuel, fats support low-intensity endurance, and proteins assist repair and are used as fuel when needed.

What roles do vitamins, minerals and water play in performance?

Vitamins assist energy release, iron transports oxygen, calcium supports muscles and bones, and water regulates temperature and hydration.

What is aerobic training and its purpose?

Moderate-intensity continuous training using the aerobic system to improve cardiovascular endurance.

What is anaerobic training and its purpose?

High-intensity short-duration training using ATP-PCr and glycolytic systems to improve speed, power and anaerobic capacity.

What are HIIT and SIT training methods?

HIIT uses intense intervals with short recovery to improve fitness; SIT uses maximal sprints with longer recovery to improve speed and power.

What is the FIIT principle?

Frequency, intensity, time and type guide training programs to match fitness goals and energy demands.

How do individual and group sports affect training?

Individual sports allow personalised training, while group sports combine fitness, skills and tactical requirements.

What are immediate physiological responses to exercise?

Heart rate, breathing rate, stroke volume, cardiac output and lactate levels increase during exercise.

What is cardiac output and why does it increase?

Cardiac output is heart rate × stroke volume; it increases to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to muscles.

Why do lactate levels increase during exercise?

High-intensity exercise increases lactate and acidity, contributing to muscle fatigue.

How is training research conducted effectively?

Use clear research questions, appropriate data collection, ethical procedures, valid and reliable methods and accurate results.

What is the purpose of fitness testing?

It measures fitness, tracks improvement, identifies weaknesses, guides training and reduces injury risk.

What are the benefits and limitations of fitness testing?

Benefits include objective progress tracking; limitations include motivation, environment and test-specific results affecting outcomes.

How does fitness training differ between population groups?

Elite athletes optimise performance, recreational athletes improve health, children monitor development, older adults maintain function and clinical groups support rehabilitation.

What is a skill and what factors influence skill learning?

A skill is an efficient, accurate and consistent movement; learning is influenced by confidence, ability, heredity and personality.

What are the differences between recreational and elite athletes?

Recreational athletes participate for enjoyment and fitness, while elite athletes train intensively for peak performance.

How does self-confidence affect skill development?

High confidence improves motivation, persistence and performance, while low confidence slows learning.

What are the three stages of skill acquisition?

Cognitive, associative and autonomous stages where skills progress from learning, refining and automatic performance.

What occurs during the cognitive stage?

The learner understands the skill, makes many errors and requires demonstrations, instructions and encouragement.

What occurs during the associative stage?

The learner improves coordination, makes fewer errors and develops consistency through practice and feedback.

What occurs during the autonomous stage?

The skill becomes automatic, efficient and performed under pressure with focus on tactics.

What are the main types of motor skills?

Gross/fine, discrete/serial/continuous, open/closed and self-paced/externally paced skills.

What are gross, fine, open and closed skills?

Gross skills use large muscles; fine skills require precision; open skills occur in changing environments; closed skills occur in stable environments.

What are discrete, serial and continuous skills?

Discrete skills have a clear start and end, serial skills link movements together, and continuous skills are repeated movements.

What are self-paced and externally paced skills?

Self-paced skills are controlled by the performer, while externally paced skills depend on outside factors.

What is massed and distributed practice?

Massed practice involves long sessions with little rest; distributed practice includes regular breaks and suits beginners.

What are whole and part practice methods?

Whole practice performs the entire skill, while part practice breaks complex skills into smaller sections.

What are blocked and random practice methods?

Blocked practice repeats one skill, while random practice varies skills to improve decision making and transfer.

How do practice methods differ for skill level?

Beginner and complex skills benefit from distributed and part practice, while advanced athletes use massed and random practice.

What is decision making in sport?

Selecting the best action quickly through game situations, questioning and problem-solving.

What is the difference between strategy and tactics?

Strategy is a long-term plan for success, while tactics are short-term decisions used during competition.

What are the types of feedback?

Intrinsic feedback comes from senses; augmented feedback comes from others; feedback can also be concurrent, delayed, knowledge of results or knowledge of performance.

When is different feedback most useful?

Intrinsic feedback suits autonomous learners, while augmented feedback supports cognitive and associative learners.

How do feedback and practice improve performance?

They correct errors, refine technique, improve consistency and develop decision-making skills.

What is psychology and how does it relate to sport?

Psychology studies the mind and behaviour; in sport it examines how thoughts, emotions and mental processes affect movement and performance.

How does psychology influence movement and performance?

Psychological factors affect skill learning, motivation, confidence, decision making and performance under pressure.

What is personal identity in sport?

How a person views themselves and their role in sport.

How does athletic identity affect participation?

A strong athletic identity increases motivation, confidence, commitment and persistence.

How do knowledge and attitudes influence participation?

Knowledge of skills, rules and tactics improves confidence, while positive attitudes encourage participation.

How do family and peers influence sport participation?

They provide support, motivation, enjoyment and encouragement to continue participating.

What is resilience and why is it important?

Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks and continue improving.

What is self-efficacy and how does it affect performance?

Self-efficacy is belief in personal ability; it increases confidence, persistence and performance under pressure.

How does problem solving improve performance?

It helps athletes make decisions, adapt to situations and improve tactical awareness.

What is motivation in sport?

The drive to begin, continue and succeed in physical activity.

What are the differences between positive, negative, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Positive motivation uses encouragement; negative motivation uses criticism; intrinsic motivation comes from enjoyment; extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards.

What is self-regulation and why is it important?

The ability to control thoughts, emotions and behaviours to achieve goals; it improves focus, stress control and consistency.

What are contemporary forms of exercise?

Modern activities that improve health, enjoyment and social connection, such as HIIT, SIT, CrossFit and wearable technology.

What are group dynamics?

The way individuals interact and cooperate within an exercise group.

What is group cohesion and how does it affect performance?

Group cohesion is the strength of relationships and commitment in a team; it improves trust, cooperation and performance.

How does social interaction influence exercise participation?

It creates friendships, support and enjoyment, encouraging regular participation.

What is sense of belonging in exercise communities?

Feeling accepted and valued, which increases confidence and long-term commitment.

How do psychological skills improve elite performance?

They improve motivation, concentration, confidence, decision making and ability to perform under pressure.

Why are communities of exercise important?

They provide social support, motivation, teamwork and encourage lifelong participation.

How are psychology, movement and performance connected?

Mental factors influence learning, participation, confidence and the ability to perform effectively.

What is health?

Health is physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, not just the absence of disease.

How has the meaning of health changed over time?

Early views focused only on disease absence, while modern views include wellbeing and the ability to manage life.

What was the WHO 1948 definition of health?

Health is complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease.

What are limitations of the WHO 1948 definition?

Complete wellbeing is unrealistic, health changes over time and people can be healthy while managing illness.

What is the WHO 1986 definition of health?

Health is a resource for everyday life that helps people live productive lives and manage challenges.

Why do people have different meanings of health?

Health meanings are influenced by age, culture, education, lifestyle, beliefs, experiences, media and peers.

What is dynamic health?

Health constantly changes throughout life due to lifestyle, environment, ageing and experiences.

What is the health continuum?

A range from poor health to optimal health where individuals move throughout life.

What are the five dimensions of health?

Physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.

How do health dimensions interact?

Each dimension affects others; for example, exercise improves mental health and stress can reduce physical health.

How does health change across the lifespan?

Childhood is influenced by parents, adolescence develops independence, and adulthood focuses on lifestyle balance and disease prevention.

What individual factors influence health?

Socioeconomic status, culture, age, gender, education, location and healthcare access.

What is epidemiology?

The study of disease patterns, causes and distribution within populations.

What is the purpose of epidemiology?

To measure health, identify priorities, monitor trends, allocate resources and evaluate programs.

What are the main health measures?

Mortality measures deaths, morbidity measures illness, incidence measures new cases and prevalence measures existing cases.

What are limitations of epidemiology?

It may not measure quality of life, mental health or inequalities accurately.

What are social justice principles in health?

Participation, equity, access and rights to improve health fairness.

What is the difference between equity and equality?

Equity provides resources based on need, while equality provides the same resources to everyone.

What are cultural and social determinants of health?

Culture, affluence, social cohesion, inclusion, politics, media and language that influence health opportunities.

How does geographic location affect health?

Rural and remote areas often have reduced healthcare access and poorer outcomes.