Explain the relationship between applied forces and reaction forces in athletic performance. (5 marks)
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- Athletes generate applied forces through muscular contractions directed at external surfaces. This occurs because muscles transfer force through bones to contact points. As a result, sprinters push against the track with considerable force.
- Newton’s Third Law creates equal and opposite reaction forces instantly. When athletes push down and backward, surfaces generate upward and forward forces of identical magnitude. This relationship ensures balanced force pairs.
- Athletic movement results from reaction forces propelling bodies opposite to applied forces. The reason is athletes cannot move without external forces acting upon them. Therefore, ground reaction forces enable all running and jumping.
- Performance directly correlates with force magnitude – stronger applied forces produce larger reaction forces. This leads to faster speeds as acceleration follows F=ma. Evidence shows elite sprinters generate forces exceeding three times bodyweight.
- Optimal technique maximises useful reaction forces through proper force direction and timing. Consequently, athletes align forces efficiently to reduce energy waste. This explains why training emphasises force vector optimisation for performance gains.
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Sample Answer
- Athletes generate applied forces through muscular contractions directed at external surfaces. This occurs because muscles transfer force through bones to contact points. As a result, sprinters push against the track with considerable force.
- Newton’s Third Law creates equal and opposite reaction forces instantly. When athletes push down and backward, surfaces generate upward and forward forces of identical magnitude. This relationship ensures balanced force pairs.
- Athletic movement results from reaction forces propelling bodies opposite to applied forces. The reason is athletes cannot move without external forces acting upon them. Therefore, ground reaction forces enable all running and jumping.
- Performance directly correlates with force magnitude – stronger applied forces produce larger reaction forces. This leads to faster speeds as acceleration follows F=ma. Evidence shows elite sprinters generate forces exceeding three times bodyweight.
- Optimal technique maximises useful reaction forces through proper force direction and timing. Consequently, athletes align forces efficiently to reduce energy waste. This explains why training emphasises force vector optimisation for performance gains.