aqa a2 revision

AQA A2 RevisionMike Murray

Based on past paper questions and answers to those questions

Content

1. EPOC and lactate2. Sports supplements3. POMS4. Cognitive methods to control anxiety5. Baron’s distraction-conflict theory6. World Games7. Why use drugs?8. Strategies to reduce drug-taking

Lactate threshold – Typical question

Elite performers follow structured training programmes to develop exceptional levels of fitness.Outline the relationship between ‘VO2 max’ and ‘lactate threshold’.

(3 marks) In terms of recovery, explain the relationship between lactate threshold and the functions of EPOC. (5 marks)

• During intense exercise of short duration• Glycogen used as energy source• Too much produced by

- excess is converted to• Can only last

Lactate Threshold/OBLA

Mitochondria

During high intensity exercise

Lactate threshold• When starts to in• Also known as • Percentage of • Occurs because of lack of in • Occurs at start of exercise =

and during exercise

Oxygen Uptake during Exercise

time

O2 uptake

rest exercise recovery

EPOC

• Slow component:

• Fast component:

Lactate tolerance• How well performer copes with

accumulation• Depends on ability to acidity of accumulation• Fitter performers can remove quicker

Removal of lactate• During component of• 65% converted to – into and oxidised for• 25% converted to pyruvate and then to

– • 10% converted to

Supplements - Typical questionWhat are the potential benefits and harmful effects to a performer taking creatine supplements?(4 marks)

Food Supplements - Creatine• Creatine – increases – longer energy supplies• Used by - limited effects but to performance• No known problems, but potential long-term

Food Supplements - Protein• Protein – taken to increase - • Used by performers• Training effect – build more muscle• Requires exceptional training load to be - enough in balanced diet - no need

to take more for majority!

Typical questionWhat are the potential benefits and harmful effects to a performer taking caffeine before an event. (4 marks)

Food Supplements - Caffeine• Caffeine – stimulant – increased • Increases fat use in long-duration activities –

• Used by performers - • Use can cause dehydration • Used by many, because no longer

Slide No.

Food Supplements – Herbal remedies• Herbal Remedies - use of plant extracts• May contain useful and • Problem - performers not aware of what

other substances contained in extract -

Food Supplements – Bicarbonate of Soda• Bicarbonate of soda – effects of

• Used by performers• Delays• But ingestion causes and

Food Supplements - Water• Exercise generates heat - lost mainly by

- 1-3 litres per hour - • Causes increased and

• Need to before and during event

Food Supplements – Athlete’s diet• Specialist foods only if• Simple usually adequate• Sufficient gained from nutritious

rather than junk foods• Sufficient vitamins and minerals from

• Sufficient protein from

POMS – Typical question

Morgan’s profile of mood state (POMS) is a questionnaire given to performers to establish their relative measures on six mental health states.Research has shown that the profile for POMS differs between elite and non-elite performers. Describe these differences.

(3 marks)

Profile of Mood States

Mood states

Test score

anger fatigue confusiondepressiontension

Mood States• Successful elite performers show• High vigour; low tension, depression, fatigue

and confusion• Unsuccessful athletes show• Change in profile associated with• Cannot be applied to all performers – success

could lead to

Cognitive methods – Typical question

Outline two cognitive stress management techniques that can be used to control anxiety levels.

(7 marks)

Stress management

• Control thoughts - cognitive techniques – eg

• Involves redirecting thoughts away from the cause of the and

• Needs to be and

Imagery• Imagine must be • Use • Can imagine event – include possible • Pre-experience achievement of –

increase • Lock on to perfect performance –

Attentional control (focusing)

• Learn to concentrate/focus on • Concentration linked to • Tendency to focus on • Needs to control attention / avoid • Use of key phrases to help • Use ‘routine’ for repeatable skills – eg

Thought-stopping

• Use of ‘action’ – eg • Switch attention to controlled • Use whenever occurs• Action that thought• Involves – learn to think of

action rather than negative thought

Self-talk

• Develop about your actions• Learn to • Rehearse when things are going

wrong - • Can be • Can recall good plus a few

thoughts

Distraction-conflict theory– Typical question

Explain the principles of Barron’s distraction-conflict theory.

(3 marks)

Baron – distraction-conflict theory

Athlete performing

Attends to demands of

task

Attends to distractor

Distraction causes conflict

• Paying attention to distraction limits

for skilled performance • More difficult tasks require more• Distraction causes an increase in• Leading to

World games – Typical question'World Class Events' is part of UK Sport's development programme, which aims to attract major sporting championships to the UK.Discuss the suggestion that hosting major championships will benefit the individual performer and the host. (5 marks)

Characteristics of World games• performers• • • Large appeal• Requires major infrastructure –

Effects of World games for performers

• Highly to be/test themselves against the best - make most of abilities –

• • •

Effects of World games - Country

• impact – seen as successful, part of national character/political success

• Social impact – • Economic impact – financial success –

• Can have negative impact - • Government support -

Why use drugs – Typical question

Elite sport is waging a constant battle over the use of performance enhancing drugs.Explain why some performers choose to take performance enhancing drugs, and describe some of the measures which are in place to solve this problem.

(7 marks)

Reasons why performers may take drugs

• • • • • •

Solutions to drug-taking problem

• Unified policies -• • • •