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The Elite Performer Exam Questions

The Elite Performer Exam Questions. Marathon runners often run in high temperatures or humid conditions. a) What problems in terms of temperature regulation will this bring? (2)

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The Elite Performer Exam Questions

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  1. The Elite PerformerExam Questions

  2. Marathon runners often run in high temperatures or humid conditions.a) What problems in terms of temperature regulation will this bring? (2) • High temperature causes increased water loss through increased sweating. The resultant increase in viscosity of blood and reduction in blood volume reduces flow to the skin (a key method for heat loss). • In high humidity sweat cannot evaporate and the body therefore cannot cool itself. b) State two problems that a dehydrated marathon runner might suffer from (2) • Blood viscosity increases reducing the bodies ability to cool itself through vasodilation. • Increased blood viscosity reduces blood flow meaning cardiac activity must increase to maintain blood flow to organs and muscles (rapidly causes fatigue). • Resultant rises in body temperature can lead to heat stress, collapse or death. • Loss of electrolytes (through water loss) can cause drowsiness, muscle weakness, fatigue and cramps. c) How can the athlete overcome these problems? (3) • Hydrating prior to the event by drinking 400-600ml of fluid 2-3 hours before the race and then 250ml 15mins before. • Taking on fluid as often as possible during the event to avoid dehydration. • Drinking an isotonic drink to ensure no loss of electrolytes (which are lost through sweat).

  3. 2. Creatine supplements have become popular with performers trying to improve their performance. a) What performance improvements do they expect to receive? (2) • Possible improvements for rapid muscle contractions. • Possible improvements for maximal work over a short period. • Research shows mixed results with some research actually showing a negative impact on performance. b) How does this relate to the role of creatine phosphate as an energy system? (3) • When creatine phosphate is broken down energy is released to resynthesise ATP. • ATP is resynthesised rapidly benefitting short bursts of maximal work. • Muscle stores of creatine phosphate are limited so a creatine supplement could enable a performer to maintain maximal work for longer. c) What side effects might a regular user of a creatine supplement experience? (2) • Muscle cramping. • Diarrhoea. • Possible effects on the kidneys (research inconclusive).

  4. 3. Describe the dietary preparations that you would make in the run-up to an extended sport competition – a football or tennis tournament. You should consider a time period from one month before the morning of the first match. (4) • One month prior follow a healthy balanced diet comprising of whole, unprocessed foods. • Ensure that sufficient levels of carbohydrate are included in the diet to allow for training. • On morning of first match eat a high carbohydrate snack 2-4 hours before the match. Eat food with a range of glycaemic scores to ensure a steady release of energy. • Drink 500ml of fluid 2-3 hours before the match.

  5. 4. EPO is a drug taken by some endurance athletes. a) What is EPO? (2) • Erythropoietin. • A naturally occurring hormone that controls red blood cell production. b) How does it benefit an endurance athlete? (3) • Increases amount of red blood cells to carry more oxygen around the body. • This increases VO2 max. • Increases aerobic performance. c)What dangers might there be in making use of the gene that regulates natural erythropoietin? (2) • The increase in the proportion of red blood cells makes blood more viscous. • This puts greater pressure on the heart and can lead to heart failure.

  6. 5.a) What are anabolic steroids? (1) A hormone that increases protein use and muscle cell production.E.g. Testosterone. b) How do anabolic steroids benefit sportspeople? (3) Increases the synthesis of protein within cells, particularly muscle cells, resulting in a build up of muscle tissue. Reduce recovery time by inhibiting the action of other hormones which breakdown muscles. Increases strength and allows for longer and more frequent training sessions. c) What are the risks associated with using anabolic steroids? (3) Can lead to a number of side effects including: liver and kidney tumours, jaundice, fluid retention, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, greater danger of blood clots, risk of tendon injuries and severe acne. In females adverse effects include: menstrual abnormalities, deepening of voice, baldness and body hair. Young users risk permanently halting growth.

  7. 6.a) What is HGH? (2) Human growth hormone. Naturally occurring hormone that regulates growth and also the turnover of muscle, bone, and the regulation of fat metabolism. b) How does HGH benefit sportspeople? (3) Increases muscle mass. Aids the repair of bones, ligaments and tendons. Leads to enhanced performance in sprinting and other explosive activities. c) What are the risks associated with using HGH? (2) Side effects include minor to chronic joint pain, joint swelling, fluid retention, high blood pressure, abnormal bone and cartilage growth, irregular heart rhythms, and increased risk of diabetes.

  8. 7.a) What are beta blockers? (2) A drug that blocks the release of chemicals, such as adrenaline, thereby causing the heart rate to stay low and helping the performer stay calm. b) How do beta blockers benefit sportspeople? (3) Block the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Cause arteries to widen. Lower blood pressure. Reduce tension and have an overall calming effect. Benefit sportspeople such as archers, pistol shooters and snooker players. c) What are the risks associated with using beta blockers? (2) Side effects include cold hands and feet, tiredness and sleep disturbance.

  9. 8.a) What are diuretics? (1) A drug which increases urine production and output b) How do diuretics benefit sportspeople? (2) Increase urine output allowing an athlete to compete at a lower weight class. Also ‘masks’ the appearance of other illegal drugs. c) What are the risks associated with using diuretics? (3) Adverse side effects include: dehydration, decreased ability to regulate body temperature, potassium deficiency, heart arrhythmias, muscle cramps and exhaustion.

  10. 9.a) What are stimulants? (2) Drugs (including amphetamines and caffeine) which increase the activity of the central and sympathetic nervous system. b) How do stimulants benefit sportspeople? (2) Stimulate the nervous system leading to increased mental alertness and decreased fatigue. c) What are the risks associated with using stimulants? (2) Can cause nervousness and irritability. Make it hard to concentrate and cause tiredness from lack of sleep. Can lead to addiction.

  11. 10. What are the main functions of water in the body? (5) • Regulates body temperature. • Carries nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body via blood plasma. • Helps to convert food into energy and absorb nutrients. • Required for expiration. • Removes waste. • Protects and cushions vital organs and joints.

  12. 11. What are the problems to a sportsperson associated with loss of electrolytes? (3) • Drowsiness and impaired decision making. • Muscle weakness and fatigue. • Muscle cramps. • Interference in the neural control of the heart causing abnormal heart rhythm.

  13. 12. Temperature regulation is vital for elite sports performance. How does the body try to control core temperature in warm conditions and how will this effect sports performance? (7) • Heat changes detected by receptors and information is sent to the hypothalamus. • Heat lost via evaporation of sweat from surface of skin. • Sweating causes loss of electrolytes and all problems associated with this (see Q.11). • Sweating causes increase to blood viscosity. • This results in increased heart rate due to cardiovascular drift. • Causes fatigue more quickly at lower exercise intensity levels. • Dehydration and problems associated with this (see Q 1b) • Blood shunted to skin surface. • Occurs via vasodilation of arteries supplying skin and vasoconstriction of blood vessels supplying other organs. • Causes heat from blood to be lost via convection.

  14. 13. How can a mountain climber performing in very low temperatures ensure that core body temperature does not drop too low? (3) • Increasing calorie intake (6k-8k per day). • Wearing warm and wind proof clothing. • Generate heat through shivering.

  15. 14. Sports drinks are said to improve performance during prolonged sports events. What are the important components for sport drinks before, during and after an event? (7) • During events lasting over 1 hour carbohydrates and electrolytes are important. • Hypertonic drinks (high in carbs) provide more energy but cause fluids to be ingested at a slower rate. • Hypotonic drinks provide less energy but allow fluids to be ingested more quickly. • Electrolytes help to restore essential salts lost through sweat and can aid in fluid ingestion. • Post event drinks should include electrolytes (to restore levels), carbohydrates (to restore glucose levels depleted through ATP production) and protein (for muscle repair). • Pre event drinks do not need to contain electrolytes or carbohydrates as levels have not yet been depleted.

  16. 15. Creatine is a legal food supplement which may aid sports performance. Name 3 other food supplements and the possible benefits and side effects associated with each. (7) Protein supplements: Builds muscle mass, may have detrimental effect on kidney and liver. Herbal remedies: a variety of possible benefits and side effects. Caffeine: Natural stimulant (e.g. coffee), may prolong aerobic activity due to increased use of fats thus saving glycogen stores, may improve decision making and reactions, can cause anxiety / stomach problems / act as a diuretic causing dehydration and effecting temperature regulation. Bicarbonate of soda: May improve the buffering of hydrogen ions during anaerobic exercise thus reducing levels of lactic acid, may cause stomach problems and diarrhoea.

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