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Question 1
A gymnast performs a single maximal vault. Which fuel supplies energy for ATP resynthesis through the ATP-PC / phosphagen system?
A.
Muscle glycogen
B.
Phosphocreatine
C.
Fatty acids
D.
Blood glucose
Question 2
A coach compares the energy systems supporting an explosive jump and a prolonged steady run. Compared with the oxidative system, which combination describes the ATP-PC / phosphagen system?
The values are given in the order: maximum rate of ATP supply / total capacity for ATP supply.
A.
Lower / smaller
B.
Lower / larger
C.
Higher / larger
D.
Higher / smaller
Question 3
A cyclist rides at a steady submaximal intensity for 40 minutes, then performs a brief maximal acceleration. Which statements describe ATP supply during this activity?
I. The oxidative system supplies most ATP during the steady ride.
II. Anaerobic ATP production increases during the maximal acceleration.
III. Oxidative ATP production stops during the maximal acceleration.
A.
I and III only
B.
II and III only
C.
I and II only
D.
I, II and III
Question 4
After a hard interval session, a skater's oxygen consumption falls rapidly at first and then declines more gradually. Which process is mainly associated with the fast component of EPOC?
A.
Supporting metabolic activity while body temperature remains elevated
B.
Restoring ATP and phosphocreatine stores in muscle
C.
Supporting prolonged elevation of heart rate and ventilation
D.
Metabolizing lactate during the gradual return towards rest
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Question 5
A mountain-bike cyclist uses a stationary training bicycle with adjustable resistance to simulate different demands of a race. Table 1 summarizes three phases of the training session.
Training-bicycle session phases in chronological order.
| Phase | Duration / min | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| Standing start | 0.10 | Maximal |
| Steady cycling | 30.0 | Submaximal |
| Final maximal effort | 1.00 | Maximal |
With reference to energy supply, outline why the training bicycle needs to allow both maximal efforts and prolonged submaximal cycling, as shown in Table 1.
[2]
The standing start lasts . Calculate its duration in seconds. Use section 14 in the data booklet.
[1]
During the final maximal effort, the cyclist's phosphocreatine stores decrease rapidly. Explain why anaerobic glycolysis becomes increasingly important for maintaining ATP supply.
[2]
Distinguish between the phosphagen system and anaerobic glycolysis in terms of their fuel sources and capacities for ATP production.
[2]
Question 6
A shot-putter completes two sessions of repeated maximal throws. The recovery between throws is 15 seconds in one session and 3 minutes in the other. All other conditions are matched. Which explanation best accounts for a greater ability to repeat explosive efforts with the longer recovery?
A.
More phosphocreatine can be restored using aerobically produced ATP.
B.
More muscle glycogen can be completely replaced during each recovery.
C.
The oxidative system can become the main ATP supplier during the next throw.
D.
The phosphagen system can develop a permanently larger fuel capacity between throws.
Question 7
A 52-year-old recreational runner who trains regularly has a higher VO2 max than a 24-year-old inactive adult. Which conclusion is best supported by this comparison?
A.
Age has no influence on VO2 max.
B.
Fitness and lifestyle can outweigh the general age-related tendency.
C.
VO2 max generally increases throughout adulthood.
D.
The difference must result from body composition alone.
Question 8
Two runners of equal body mass each have a VO2 max of . At the same steady running speed, runner X consumes of oxygen and runner Y consumes . Which conclusion is supported?
A.
Runner Y is more economical because oxygen consumption is higher.
B.
Both runners are equally economical because their VO2 max values match.
C.
Runner X has a higher VO2 max because oxygen consumption is lower.
D.
Runner X is more economical because the same speed requires less oxygen.
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Question 9
Runner M has a lactate inflection point at and runner N at . Both run at a constant under the conditions used to determine these values. Which pattern is expected after the initial adjustment to exercise?
A.
Lactate accumulates progressively in M but remains relatively stable in N.
B.
Lactate remains relatively stable in M but accumulates progressively in N.
C.
Lactate accumulates progressively in both M and N.
D.
Lactate remains relatively stable in both M and N.
Question 10
A sports scientist investigated recovery between repeated sprints in field-hockey players. Twenty-four players were randomly allocated to two groups. Each player completed six maximal 6-second sprints on a cycle ergometer, with either a short or a long recovery interval between sprints. The resistance and warm-up were standardized.
Table 1 shows peak power during the first and sixth sprints. Each group contained 12 players.
Table 1. Peak power during the first and sixth cycle sprints for players completing different recovery intervals.
| Recovery interval | Interval / s | First sprint mean / W | First sprint SD / W | Sixth sprint mean / W | Sixth sprint SD / W | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 30 | 12 | 1000 | 80 | 780 | 100 |
| Long | 120 | 12 | 1000 | 85 | 950 | 90 |
Interpret the results in Table 1 in relation to recovery between repeated sprints.
[3]
The scientist subsequently discovered that the short-recovery group had completed a strenuous training session the previous evening, whereas the long-recovery group had rested. Explain how lower muscle glycogen in the short-recovery group could affect the interpretation of the results.
[2]
The calibrated ergometer recorded peak power automatically. Players received no familiarization session. Evaluate the reliability of this measurement procedure.
[2]
Question 11
Two trail runners, Lerin and Sova, complete laboratory treadmill tests. They have the same body mass. Their oxygen consumption is measured during steady running at the same submaximal speed and during a separate maximal test.
Lerin's VO2 max is and steady-running oxygen consumption is . Sova's corresponding values are and . Figure 1 shows the results on the testing system's feedback screen.
Both runners begin an endurance-training programme. Explain how endurance training could increase their VO2 max.
[3]
Describe what Figure 1 indicates about the runners' relative running economy.
[2]
The coach claims that Lerin will definitely perform better in a prolonged trail race because Lerin has the higher VO2 max. Discuss this claim.
[3]
Outline how ageing through later adulthood and an increase in body-fat mass could each affect VO2 max expressed relative to body mass.
[2]
Question 12
A cyclist completes separate constant-power trials at three workloads, P, Q and R, in order of increasing workload, with full recovery between trials. The graph shows blood lactate concentration after the initial adjustment to each workload.
Which conclusion about the lactate inflection point is best supported?
A.
It is below P because lactate is present at every workload.
B.
It is between P and Q because Q has a higher lactate concentration.
C.
It is at or above Q but below R because lactate accumulates only at R.
D.
It is above R because lactate metabolism continues at every workload.
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Question 13
A researcher compared two age groups of recreational runners. Each group contained 20 runners. Participants completed a maximal treadmill test, a submaximal treadmill run at the same speed and gradient, and a 10 km time trial on separate days.
During the submaximal run, all participants reached a steady oxygen consumption below their VO2 max. Environmental conditions were standardized. Table 1 shows the group means and standard deviations.
Table 1. Characteristics and treadmill-test results for younger and older recreational runners.
| Group | Age / years | Relative max mean / ml kg min | Relative max SD / ml kg min | Steady-state mean / ml kg min | Steady-state SD / ml kg min | 10 km time mean / min | 10 km time SD / min | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Younger runners | 25.4 | 20 | 55.0 | 5.0 | 40.0 | 3.0 | 45.0 | 3.2 |
| Older runners | 64.8 | 20 | 45.0 | 4.8 | 36.0 | 2.8 | 43.0 | 3.0 |
Interpret Table 1 in relation to VO2 max, running economy and endurance performance.
[3]
The older group also had a higher mean percentage body fat, which the researcher had not controlled. Explain how this difference could contribute to their lower VO2 max expressed relative to body mass.
[2]
The researcher used an independent-samples t-test to compare mean relative VO2 max between the groups. The measurements in each group were approximately normally distributed. Using Table 1, evaluate what this test can establish about the difference between the groups.
[2]
Question 14
Sixteen amateur cyclists completed an eight-week endurance-training programme. Before and after the programme, each cyclist completed a series of constant-power cycling tests on separate days and a fixed-distance cycling time trial. There was no non-training control group.
Table 1 summarizes the time-trial results and the highest tested power at which blood lactate concentration remained stable. Stable was defined as an increase of no more than during the final six minutes of a test.
Mean results and standard deviations for 16 amateur cyclists before and after endurance training.
| Measure | Before mean () | Before SD | After mean () | After SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time-trial completion time / s | 1200 | 75 | 1140 | 70 |
| Highest stable power / W | 200 | 25 | 240 | 28 |
Figure 1 shows mean blood lactate concentration during a constant-power test performed before and after training.
I.
Using Table 1, calculate the percentage reduction in mean time-trial completion time after training.
[1]
II.
Interpret the change in highest tested power with stable blood lactate shown in Table 1.
[2]
I.
Figure 1 compares the cyclists at the same power before and after training. Explain the different blood lactate responses.
[2]
II.
Using Figure 1 and the study design, discuss the claim that the programme increased the lactate inflection point of every cyclist.
[3]
Before every test, cyclists followed the same carbohydrate-intake plan and avoided strenuous exercise for 48 hours. Explain how standardizing carbohydrate availability strengthens the comparison of blood lactate responses.
[2]
At each sampling time, two blood samples were analysed using the same calibrated analyser and their mean was recorded. Each constant-power test was performed only once before and once after training. Evaluate the reliability of this method.
[2]
Question 15
Mira is preparing for a trail-running event. During a laboratory session, she completes a constant-speed treadmill run followed by seated recovery. Figure 1 shows her oxygen consumption before, during and after the run. The area between the dashed aerobic-requirement line and the oxygen-consumption curve, from the start of the run until oxygen consumption reaches the aerobic requirement, represents the oxygen deficit.
I.
Before the treadmill run, Mira sits quietly. State one fuel that her oxidative system can use.
[1]
II.
Outline two characteristics of the phosphagen system that make it suitable for a brief maximal acceleration during the trail-running event.
[2]
III.
Outline how recovery requirements differ after a brief phosphagen-dominant effort and after prolonged exercise that substantially depletes muscle glycogen.
[2]
Explain why the oxygen deficit shown in Figure 1 occurs at the start of Mira’s treadmill run.
[3]
A coach proposes using the total EPOC after Mira’s run as an exact measure of her oxygen deficit during the run. Discuss this proposal.
[2]
I.
In a later training session, Mira completes repeated high-intensity uphill intervals. Explain four reasons why oxygen consumption remains above resting level immediately after this session.
[4]
II.
State one change to Mira’s interval session that would be expected to increase her EPOC.
[1]
Distinguish between the fast and slow components of EPOC in terms of their changes in oxygen consumption over time.
[2]
I.
Mira’s coach also assesses her endurance capacity. Describe how three factors can influence an individual’s VO2 max.
[3]
II.
Mira and another runner have identical VO2 max values expressed relative to body mass, but achieve different performances in the trail-running event. Analyse three possible energy-related reasons for this difference.
[3]
III.
Figure 2 shows Mira’s blood lactate concentration during a separate incremental treadmill test. Explain the change from the shallow to the steeper section of the curve.
[2]
Suggest a test, with a reason, that the coach could use to measure Mira’s VO2 max directly.
[1]
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