Analyse how THREE body systems work together to maintain balance during a gymnastics beam routine. (6 marks)
--- 18 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
Sample Answer – Nervous system, muscular system and skeletal system
Overview Statement:
- Balance during beam routines requires nervous, muscular and skeletal systems working interdependently.
- Their relationships create continuous adjustments maintaining equilibrium on the narrow apparatus.
Component Relationship 1 – Nervous to Muscular:
- Inner ear organs and proprioceptors detect body position changes instantly.
- These sensors directly cause muscles to contract for balance correction.
- Vision works with body position sensors to show where the gymnast is in space.
- The connection reveals how sensing movement enables quick muscle responses.
- Such coordination shows why nerve signals and muscle actions must work together for balance.
Component Relationship 2 – Muscular to Skeletal:
- Core muscles maintain constant isometric tension around the spine.
- These contractions work through skeletal attachment points to stabilise posture.
- Limb muscles interact with joint levers to create precise adjustments.
- This connection shows how muscles use bones as mechanical advantages.
- The relationship enables fine-tuned movements essential for beam performance.
Implications:
- All three systems depend on continuous communication for successful balance.
- Nerves sense position which causes muscles to move using bones as levers.
- The interdependence means interruptions to any system affects balance ability.
- Therefore, gymnastic training must develop all three systems equally.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer – Nervous system, muscular system and skeletal system
Overview Statement:
- Balance during beam routines requires nervous, muscular and skeletal systems working interdependently.
- Their relationships create continuous adjustments maintaining equilibrium on the narrow apparatus.
Component Relationship 1 – Nervous to Muscular:
- Inner ear organs and proprioceptors detect body position changes instantly.
- These sensors directly cause muscles to contract for balance correction.
- Vision works with body position sensors to show where the gymnast is in space.
- The connection reveals how sensing movement enables quick muscle responses.
- Such coordination shows why nerve signals and muscle actions must work together for balance.
Component Relationship 2 – Muscular to Skeletal:
- Core muscles maintain constant isometric tension around the spine.
- These contractions work through skeletal attachment points to stabilise posture.
- Limb muscles interact with joint levers to create precise adjustments.
- This connection shows how muscles use bones as mechanical advantages.
- The relationship enables fine-tuned movements essential for beam performance.
Implications:
- All three systems depend on continuous communication for successful balance.
- Nerves sense position which causes muscles to move using bones as levers.
- The interdependence means interruptions to any system affects balance ability.
- Therefore, gymnastic training must develop all three systems equally.