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HMS, HIC 2013 HSC 29b

How are young people's priorities and values influenced by aspects of their development?   (12 marks)

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  • Young people’s health priorities and values change dramatically during adolescence as a result of multiple developmental influences that shape their understanding and decision-making processes.
  • Physical development affects health priorities through changing body awareness and self-image concerns. Puberty creates heightened focus on appearance and peer acceptance, leading to increased emphasis on physical attractiveness over overall health. Growth spurts require increased nutritional needs, yet social pressures often result in poor dietary choices and disordered eating patterns. Sexual maturation introduces new health considerations including reproductive health education and risk-taking behaviours that previous generations faced differently.
  • Cognitive development enables more complex health reasoning but also creates overthinking and anxiety about health decisions. Abstract thinking capacity allows understanding of long-term health consequences, yet brain development patterns mean impulse control remains limited until mid-twenties. This results in contradictory behaviours where young people understand health risks but still engage in dangerous activities like substance use, reckless driving, or unprotected sexual behaviour.
  • Social development significantly influences health values through peer relationships and independence seeking behaviours. Peer acceptance becomes the primary concern, often overriding parental health teachings and family traditions. Social media exposure amplifies peer pressure and creates unrealistic health standards and body image expectations. The desire for independence leads to rejection of family health practices whilst developing personal health identity and autonomy.
  • Emotional development impacts health priorities through identity formation and self-worth struggles during adolescence. Mental health awareness increases significantly, yet emotional volatility makes consistent healthy choices difficult to maintain. Stress management becomes crucial as academic pressures, social expectations, and future uncertainties intensify.
  • Cultural and technological influences reshape health values compared to previous generations dramatically. Digital connectivity provides instant health information access but also exposes young people to misinformation and conflicting advice.
Show Worked Solution
  • Young people’s health priorities and values change dramatically during adolescence as a result of multiple developmental influences that shape their understanding and decision-making processes.
  • Physical development affects health priorities through changing body awareness and self-image concerns. Puberty creates heightened focus on appearance and peer acceptance, leading to increased emphasis on physical attractiveness over overall health. Growth spurts require increased nutritional needs, yet social pressures often result in poor dietary choices and disordered eating patterns. Sexual maturation introduces new health considerations including reproductive health education and risk-taking behaviours that previous generations faced differently.
  • Cognitive development enables more complex health reasoning but also creates overthinking and anxiety about health decisions. Abstract thinking capacity allows understanding of long-term health consequences, yet brain development patterns mean impulse control remains limited until mid-twenties. This results in contradictory behaviours where young people understand health risks but still engage in dangerous activities like substance use, reckless driving, or unprotected sexual behaviour.
  • Social development significantly influences health values through peer relationships and independence seeking behaviours. Peer acceptance becomes the primary concern, often overriding parental health teachings and family traditions. Social media exposure amplifies peer pressure and creates unrealistic health standards and body image expectations. The desire for independence leads to rejection of family health practices whilst developing personal health identity and autonomy.
  • Emotional development impacts health priorities through identity formation and self-worth struggles during adolescence. Mental health awareness increases significantly, yet emotional volatility makes consistent healthy choices difficult to maintain. Stress management becomes crucial as academic pressures, social expectations, and future uncertainties intensify.
  • Cultural and technological influences reshape health values compared to previous generations dramatically. Digital connectivity provides instant health information access but also exposes young people to misinformation and conflicting advice.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, HIC 2013 HSC 29a

Explain the risk and protective factors associated with ONE health issue affecting young people.   (8 marks)

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  • Mental health issues among young people result from complex interactions between multiple risk and protective factors that influence psychological wellbeing.
  • Risk factors are circumstances that increase the likelihood of developing mental health problems. Social media exposure creates unrealistic comparisons and cyberbullying experiences that trigger anxiety and depression. Academic pressure produces chronic stress leading to overwhelm and reduced self-esteem. Family conflict generates unstable home environments that contribute to emotional distress. Substance use compounds existing vulnerabilities by affecting brain development and decision-making capabilities. Social isolation removes essential support networks, resulting in increased loneliness and reduced coping mechanisms.
  • Protective factors strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to mental health issues. Strong family relationships provide emotional security and unconditional support that buffers against external stressors. Peer connections offer belonging and understanding that helps young people navigate challenges. Physical activity releases endorphins that improve mood and reduce stress hormones. Effective coping strategies like mindfulness enable emotional regulation and stress management. School counselling services provide professional support and early intervention that prevents escalation of mental health concerns.
  • The interplay between risk and protective factors determines individual outcomes, with protective factors capable of moderating the impact of risk factors when present in sufficient strength and number.
Show Worked Solution
  • Mental health issues among young people result from complex interactions between multiple risk and protective factors that influence psychological wellbeing.
  • Risk factors are circumstances that increase the likelihood of developing mental health problems. Social media exposure creates unrealistic comparisons and cyberbullying experiences that trigger anxiety and depression. Academic pressure produces chronic stress leading to overwhelm and reduced self-esteem. Family conflict generates unstable home environments that contribute to emotional distress. Substance use compounds existing vulnerabilities by affecting brain development and decision-making capabilities. Social isolation removes essential support networks, resulting in increased loneliness and reduced coping mechanisms.
  • Protective factors strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to mental health issues. Strong family relationships provide emotional security and unconditional support that buffers against external stressors. Peer connections offer belonging and understanding that helps young people navigate challenges. Physical activity releases endorphins that improve mood and reduce stress hormones. Effective coping strategies like mindfulness enable emotional regulation and stress management. School counselling services provide professional support and early intervention that prevents escalation of mental health concerns.
  • The interplay between risk and protective factors determines individual outcomes, with protective factors capable of moderating the impact of risk factors when present in sufficient strength and number.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, TIP 2013 HSC 28

How can psychological strategies enhance motivation and manage anxiety in athletes? Include examples in your answer.   (8 marks)

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  • Psychological strategies create systematic approaches to optimise mental states, enabling athletes to maintain focus and control emotional responses during competition.
  • Goal setting enhances motivation by providing clear, measurable targets that direct training efforts. A swimmer setting specific time goals for each race develops sustained commitment to training programs. Short-term goals build confidence through achievable milestones, whilst long-term goals maintain motivation over extended periods. Process goals focus attention on technique improvement rather than outcomes, reducing performance pressure and sustaining long-term development.
  • Visualisation manages anxiety by creating mental familiarity with competitive situations. A tennis player visualising successful serves before competition reduces performance anxiety through rehearsed mental imagery. This strategy enables athletes to anticipate challenges and prepare appropriate responses, minimising unexpected stressors during performance. Regular mental rehearsal builds confidence by allowing athletes to experience success before actual competition.
  • Relaxation techniques control physiological arousal levels that interfere with optimal performance. Progressive muscle relaxation helps golfers reduce tension before crucial putts, facilitating precise motor control. Controlled breathing maintains calm focus during high-pressure moments, preventing anxiety from overwhelming concentration. Deep breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, producing physiological calmness.
  • Concentration skills enhance performance by directing attention toward relevant cues whilst filtering distractions. A basketball player focusing on shooting technique rather than crowd noise improves accuracy through selective attention. Mental cues and trigger words maintain focus during extended competitions, ensuring consistent performance execution throughout demanding events.
Show Worked Solution
  • Psychological strategies create systematic approaches to optimise mental states, enabling athletes to maintain focus and control emotional responses during competition.
  • Goal setting enhances motivation by providing clear, measurable targets that direct training efforts. A swimmer setting specific time goals for each race develops sustained commitment to training programs. Short-term goals build confidence through achievable milestones, whilst long-term goals maintain motivation over extended periods. Process goals focus attention on technique improvement rather than outcomes, reducing performance pressure and sustaining long-term development.
  • Visualisation manages anxiety by creating mental familiarity with competitive situations. A tennis player visualising successful serves before competition reduces performance anxiety through rehearsed mental imagery. This strategy enables athletes to anticipate challenges and prepare appropriate responses, minimising unexpected stressors during performance. Regular mental rehearsal builds confidence by allowing athletes to experience success before actual competition.
  • Relaxation techniques control physiological arousal levels that interfere with optimal performance. Progressive muscle relaxation helps golfers reduce tension before crucial putts, facilitating precise motor control. Controlled breathing maintains calm focus during high-pressure moments, preventing anxiety from overwhelming concentration. Deep breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system, producing physiological calmness.
  • Concentration skills enhance performance by directing attention toward relevant cues whilst filtering distractions. A basketball player focusing on shooting technique rather than crowd noise improves accuracy through selective attention. Mental cues and trigger words maintain focus during extended competitions, ensuring consistent performance execution throughout demanding events.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 42%.

HMS, TIP 2013 HSC 27

What are the advantages and disadvantages of protein supplementation and creatine supplementation for improved athletic performance?   (5 marks)

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Protein Supplementation:

  • Advantages: Protein supplements support muscle repair and growth following intense training sessions. They provide convenient, easily digestible amino acids for athletes with high protein requirements who struggle to meet needs through whole foods alone.
  • Disadvantages: Excessive protein intake can strain kidney function and cause digestive issues. Cost can be prohibitive, and whole food sources often provide superior nutritional profiles with additional vitamins and minerals.

Creatine Supplementation:

  • Advantages: Creatine enhances ATP-PCr energy system function, improving power output during repeated high-intensity efforts. Research demonstrates significant strength and muscle mass gains, particularly beneficial for explosive sports like sprinting and weightlifting.
  • Disadvantages: Initial water retention may cause temporary weight gain unsuitable for endurance athletes. Some individuals experience digestive discomfort, and long-term effects remain unclear despite generally accepted safety profiles.
Show Worked Solution

Protein Supplementation:

  • Advantages: Protein supplements support muscle repair and growth following intense training sessions. They provide convenient, easily digestible amino acids for athletes with high protein requirements who struggle to meet needs through whole foods alone.
  • Disadvantages: Excessive protein intake can strain kidney function and cause digestive issues. Cost can be prohibitive, and whole food sources often provide superior nutritional profiles with additional vitamins and minerals.

Creatine Supplementation:

  • Advantages: Creatine enhances ATP-PCr energy system function, improving power output during repeated high-intensity efforts. Research demonstrates significant strength and muscle mass gains, particularly beneficial for explosive sports like sprinting and weightlifting.
  • Disadvantages: Initial water retention may cause temporary weight gain unsuitable for endurance athletes. Some individuals experience digestive discomfort, and long-term effects remain unclear despite generally accepted safety profiles.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

Trigonometry, 2ADV T1 EQ-Bank 1

A discus throwing event is held at a field in the shape of a sector of a circle, centre \(O\), as shown in the diagram below.

Two officials are positioned at points \(P\) and \(Q\), which are 80 metres apart. The length of arc \(PQ\) is 120 metres.

The radius of the sector is \(r\) metres and the angle subtended at the centre of the arc is \(2\theta\) radians.
 

  1. Show that  \(\sin \theta=\dfrac{2 \theta}{3}\).   (2 marks)

  2. If  \(\theta=\dfrac{\pi}{3}\), find the exact area of the field.   (2 marks)

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a.   \(\text{See Worked Solution.}\)

b.   \(A=\dfrac{10\ 800}{\pi}\ \text{u}^2\)

Show Worked Solution

a.   \(\text{Consider arc} \ PQ:\)

\(\dfrac{2 \theta}{2 \pi} \times 2 \pi r\) \(=120\)
\(r\) \(=\dfrac{60}{\theta}\)

\(\sin \theta=\dfrac{40}{\frac{60}{\theta}}=40 \times \dfrac{\theta}{60}=\dfrac{2 \theta}{3}\)
 

b.     \(A\) \(=\dfrac{\frac{2 \pi}{3}}{2 \pi} \times \pi r^2\)
    \(=\dfrac{\pi}{3} \times\left(\dfrac{60}{\frac{\pi}{3}}\right)^2\)
    \(=\dfrac{\pi}{3} \times 3600 \times \dfrac{9}{\pi^2}\)
    \(=\dfrac{10\ 800}{\pi}\ \text{u}^2\)

HMS, BM 2013 HSC 18 MC

What is a common feature of both the alactacid (ATP-PCr) and lactic acid energy systems?

  1. Lactic acid is produced.
  2. ATP is resynthesised anaerobically.
  3. Both systems take the same period of time to recover.
  4. The accumulation of lactic acid in the working muscles causes fatigue.
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution

NOTE: This question has been updated to include the HMS system naming of the alactacid system with ATP-PCr.

  • B is correct: Both alactacid (ATP-PCr) and lactic acid systems operate without oxygen.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Only lactic acid system produces lactic acid.
  • C is incorrect: Systems have different recovery time periods significantly.
  • D is incorrect: Only lactic acid system causes fatigue through accumulation.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, TIP 2013 HSC 15 MC

Features of a resistance training program are listed.

\begin{array}{|l|l|}
\hline \textit{Sets}\quad & 3-6 \\
\hline \textit{Reps} & 5-6 \\
\hline \textit{Load} & 35\%-50\% \ \text{of 1 Repetition Maximum (RM) } \\
\hline \textit{Rest} & 3-4 \text{ minutes (between sets) } \\
\hline \textit{Speed} & \text {Fast} \\
\hline
\end{array}

What is this training program specifically designed to improve?

  1. Endurance
  2. Hypertrophy
  3. Power
  4. Strength
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Moderate load with fast speed develops explosive power output.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Endurance requires higher reps, lower load, shorter rest.
  • B is incorrect: Hypertrophy needs moderate reps, higher load, shorter rest.
  • D is incorrect: Strength requires higher load percentage, slower controlled movements.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, BM 2013 HSC 14 MC

During which stage of skill acquisition is anticipation initially learned?

  1. Associative
  2. Autonomous
  3. Cognitive
  4. Developmental
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\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Associative stage develops anticipation skills through practice refinement.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Autonomous stage has automatic anticipation, not initial learning.
  • C is incorrect: Cognitive stage focuses on basic movement understanding.
  • D is incorrect: Developmental is not recognised skill acquisition stage.

♦♦ Mean mark 43%.

HMS, HAG 2013 HSC 9 MC

To which of the following does the concept of ‘healthy ageing’ refer?

  1. Treating elderly people for commonly reported conditions
  2. The behaviours and activities that contribute to quality of life for elderly people
  3. Providing appropriate facilities and services to accommodate aged and elderly people
  4. Reducing the effects of poor health choices made in early adulthood that create risks to health status in later life
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Healthy ageing focuses on maintaining quality of life activities.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Treatment focuses on illness, not healthy ageing concept.
  • C is incorrect: Facilities are support systems, not healthy ageing definition.
  • D is incorrect: Past choices are risk factors, not healthy ageing focus.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 36%.

HMS, HAG 2013 HSC 7 MC

In which cardiovascular condition is plaque most likely to form on the inner lining of the arteries?

  1. Angina
  2. Heart attack
  3. Atherosclerosis
  4. Peripheral vascular disease
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Atherosclerosis is characterised by arterial plaque buildup process.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Angina is chest pain symptom, not plaque condition.
  • B is incorrect: Heart attack results from blocked arteries, not plaque formation.
  • D is incorrect: Peripheral vascular disease affects limb circulation specifically.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, TIP 2014 HSC 32b

Justify how each of the periodisation phases is used when planning a training year.   (12 marks)

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Position Statement

  • Each periodisation phase is essential for optimal athletic performance because they systematically develop, maintain and recover physiological capacities whilst preventing overtraining and ensuring peak competition readiness.

Pre-Season Foundation Building

  • Pre-season phase provides critical foundation for annual performance success by developing base fitness levels and fundamental skills required for competition demands.
  • Evidence demonstrates that athletes who complete comprehensive pre-season training show 25-30% greater performance improvements compared to those with inadequate preparation.
  • A rugby team’s pre-season focuses on aerobic conditioning, strength development and skill refinement over 12-16 weeks, incorporating progressive overload principles.
  • This systematic approach proves essential because it builds cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and technical competency that supports intense competition periods.
  • Without adequate pre-season preparation, athletes face increased injury risk and poor early-season performance.
  • Research confirms that 80% of season-ending injuries occur in athletes with insufficient pre-season conditioning, demonstrating the phase’s protective value.

In-Season Performance Maintenance

  • In-season training maintains fitness levels whilst managing competition demands and fatigue accumulation through reduced training volumes and sport-specific focus.
  • Studies indicate that athletes lose 10-15% of fitness gains within 3-4 weeks without maintenance training.
  • A basketball player maintains strength twice weekly whilst emphasising tactical development and recovery between games, incorporating tapering before major competitions.
  • This approach ensures peak performance sustainability throughout the competitive period whilst preventing overtraining syndrome.
  • The phase balances training stress with competition stress, enabling consistent high-level performance when it matters most.
  • Strategic peaking during finals ensures athletes reach optimal condition at season’s end.

Off-Season Recovery Integration

  • Off-season phase facilitates complete physical and mental recovery whilst maintaining basic fitness through active rest and cross-training activities.
  • Athletes engage in alternative sports and reduced training loads, preventing burnout whilst preparing for the next training cycle.

Reinforcement

  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports systematic periodisation because each phase addresses specific physiological and psychological needs.
  • Research data confirms that periodised athletes achieve 15-25% greater performance gains than non-periodised training, justifying the structured approach’s implementation.
Show Worked Solution

Position Statement

  • Each periodisation phase is essential for optimal athletic performance because they systematically develop, maintain and recover physiological capacities whilst preventing overtraining and ensuring peak competition readiness.

Pre-Season Foundation Building

  • Pre-season phase provides critical foundation for annual performance success by developing base fitness levels and fundamental skills required for competition demands.
  • Evidence demonstrates that athletes who complete comprehensive pre-season training show 25-30% greater performance improvements compared to those with inadequate preparation.
  • A rugby team’s pre-season focuses on aerobic conditioning, strength development and skill refinement over 12-16 weeks, incorporating progressive overload principles.
  • This systematic approach proves essential because it builds cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and technical competency that supports intense competition periods.
  • Without adequate pre-season preparation, athletes face increased injury risk and poor early-season performance.
  • Research confirms that 80% of season-ending injuries occur in athletes with insufficient pre-season conditioning, demonstrating the phase’s protective value.

In-Season Performance Maintenance

  • In-season training maintains fitness levels whilst managing competition demands and fatigue accumulation through reduced training volumes and sport-specific focus.
  • Studies indicate that athletes lose 10-15% of fitness gains within 3-4 weeks without maintenance training.
  • A basketball player maintains strength twice weekly whilst emphasising tactical development and recovery between games, incorporating tapering before major competitions.
  • This approach ensures peak performance sustainability throughout the competitive period whilst preventing overtraining syndrome.
  • The phase balances training stress with competition stress, enabling consistent high-level performance when it matters most.
  • Strategic peaking during finals ensures athletes reach optimal condition at season’s end.

Off-Season Recovery Integration

  • Off-season phase facilitates complete physical and mental recovery whilst maintaining basic fitness through active rest and cross-training activities.
  • Athletes engage in alternative sports and reduced training loads, preventing burnout whilst preparing for the next training cycle.

Reinforcement

  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports systematic periodisation because each phase addresses specific physiological and psychological needs.
  • Research data confirms that periodised athletes achieve 15-25% greater performance gains than non-periodised training, justifying the structured approach’s implementation.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, TIP 2014 HSC 31b

Justify the rehabilitation procedures used to manage specific sporting injuries.   (12 marks)

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Position Statement

  • Rehabilitation procedures are highly effective for managing sporting injuries because they systematically restore function and prevent re-injury through evidence-based protocols.

Progressive Mobilisation

  • Progressive mobilisation demonstrates exceptional value in early injury management by preventing muscle stiffness and scar tissue formation.
  • This process ensures controlled movement returns gradually, maintaining joint range whilst protecting healing tissues.
  • For example, a footballer with an ankle sprain begins with gentle passive movements within 48-72 hours, progressing to active movements as pain decreases.
  • Research shows early mobilisation reduces recovery time by up to 30% compared to complete immobilisation.
  • This approach proves highly effective because it maintains blood flow and prevents complications like muscle atrophy whilst maintaining proprioceptive function.

Graduated Exercise Programs

  • Graduated exercise produces measurable results by systematically rebuilding strength, flexibility and endurance through structured progression.
  • This method works by introducing increasingly challenging exercises that stimulate tissue adaptation without overwhelming healing structures.
  • A tennis player recovering from shoulder impingement follows a specific sequence: stretching to restore flexibility, strengthening exercises using resistance bands, then sport-specific movements like serving practice.
  • Evidence confirms this systematic approach reduces re-injury rates by 40-60%.
  • The effectiveness is demonstrated through controlled loading that rebuilds tissue tolerance whilst maintaining total body fitness throughout recovery.

Heat and Cold Therapy

  • Heat and cold therapy provides significant support for rehabilitation success by managing inflammation and promoting tissue healing.
  • Cold therapy immediately post-injury reduces swelling and pain, whilst heat therapy later in recovery increases blood flow and flexibility.
  • For instance, a rugby player with a hamstring strain uses ice for 48 hours, then heat packs before stretching.
  • This combination proves essential because it optimises healing conditions at each recovery stage.

Reinforcement

  • When all factors are considered, rehabilitation procedures provide superior outcomes because they address multiple recovery aspects simultaneously.
  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports their inclusion in injury management protocols, with faster return-to-sport times and reduced complication rates justifying their systematic implementation.
Show Worked Solution

Position Statement

  • Rehabilitation procedures are highly effective for managing sporting injuries because they systematically restore function and prevent re-injury through evidence-based protocols.

Progressive Mobilisation

  • Progressive mobilisation demonstrates exceptional value in early injury management by preventing muscle stiffness and scar tissue formation.
  • This process ensures controlled movement returns gradually, maintaining joint range whilst protecting healing tissues.
  • For example, a footballer with an ankle sprain begins with gentle passive movements within 48-72 hours, progressing to active movements as pain decreases.
  • Research shows early mobilisation reduces recovery time by up to 30% compared to complete immobilisation.
  • This approach proves highly effective because it maintains blood flow and prevents complications like muscle atrophy whilst maintaining proprioceptive function.

Graduated Exercise Programs

  • Graduated exercise produces measurable results by systematically rebuilding strength, flexibility and endurance through structured progression.
  • This method works by introducing increasingly challenging exercises that stimulate tissue adaptation without overwhelming healing structures.
  • A tennis player recovering from shoulder impingement follows a specific sequence: stretching to restore flexibility, strengthening exercises using resistance bands, then sport-specific movements like serving practice.
  • Evidence confirms this systematic approach reduces re-injury rates by 40-60%.
  • The effectiveness is demonstrated through controlled loading that rebuilds tissue tolerance whilst maintaining total body fitness throughout recovery.

Heat and Cold Therapy

  • Heat and cold therapy provides significant support for rehabilitation success by managing inflammation and promoting tissue healing.
  • Cold therapy immediately post-injury reduces swelling and pain, whilst heat therapy later in recovery increases blood flow and flexibility.
  • For instance, a rugby player with a hamstring strain uses ice for 48 hours, then heat packs before stretching.
  • This combination proves essential because it optimises healing conditions at each recovery stage.

Reinforcement

  • When all factors are considered, rehabilitation procedures provide superior outcomes because they address multiple recovery aspects simultaneously.
  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports their inclusion in injury management protocols, with faster return-to-sport times and reduced complication rates justifying their systematic implementation.

♦♦ Mean mark 46%.

HMS, HIC 2014 HSC 29b

To what extent have social actions and public policies affected the health of young people in Australia?   (12 marks)

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Judgment Statement:

  • Social actions and public policies have affected young people’s health to a significant extent through comprehensive strategies addressing major health issues and creating supportive environments across multiple health areas.

Strongest Evidence:

  • Immunisation programs demonstrate highly effective policy impact with over 95% childhood vaccination coverage achieved nationally, virtually eliminating preventable diseases.
  • School-based health education and anti-smoking campaigns have substantially reduced youth smoking rates by approximately 10% over two decades through legislative and educational approaches.
  • Mental health initiatives including headspace services provide accessible, youth-friendly support addressing the leading health concern for this demographic.
  • Road safety policies including graduated licensing and awareness campaigns have dramatically reduced youth transport fatalities.
  • These coordinated efforts show measurable population-level improvements across multiple health indicators.

Secondary Evidence:

  • Targeted healthcare services like youth health centres improve access and engagement with preventive care for vulnerable populations.
  • Harm minimisation approaches to alcohol and drug education provide realistic safety information.
  • However, emerging challenges like cyberbullying, social media impacts and youth obesity present new health risks requiring innovative policy responses.
  • Some traditional policies show limited effectiveness in addressing contemporary issues like mental health stigma and lifestyle-related conditions among today’s young people.

Reaffirmation:

  • Evidence demonstrates that well-designed social actions and public policies have achieved substantial positive impacts on young people’s health outcomes.
  • The combination of prevention strategies, targeted services and supportive legislative frameworks has effectively addressed many traditional health concerns while continuously adapting to contemporary challenges.
Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement:

  • Social actions and public policies have affected young people’s health to a significant extent through comprehensive strategies addressing major health issues and creating supportive environments across multiple health areas.

Strongest Evidence:

  • Immunisation programs demonstrate highly effective policy impact with over 95% childhood vaccination coverage achieved nationally, virtually eliminating preventable diseases.
  • School-based health education and anti-smoking campaigns have substantially reduced youth smoking rates by approximately 10% over two decades through legislative and educational approaches.
  • Mental health initiatives including headspace services provide accessible, youth-friendly support addressing the leading health concern for this demographic.
  • Road safety policies including graduated licensing and awareness campaigns have dramatically reduced youth transport fatalities.
  • These coordinated efforts show measurable population-level improvements across multiple health indicators.

Secondary Evidence:

  • Targeted healthcare services like youth health centres improve access and engagement with preventive care for vulnerable populations.
  • Harm minimisation approaches to alcohol and drug education provide realistic safety information.
  • However, emerging challenges like cyberbullying, social media impacts and youth obesity present new health risks requiring innovative policy responses.
  • Some traditional policies show limited effectiveness in addressing contemporary issues like mental health stigma and lifestyle-related conditions among today’s young people.

Reaffirmation:

  • Evidence demonstrates that well-designed social actions and public policies have achieved substantial positive impacts on young people’s health outcomes.
  • The combination of prevention strategies, targeted services and supportive legislative frameworks has effectively addressed many traditional health concerns while continuously adapting to contemporary challenges.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 41%.

HMS, HIC 2014 HSC 29a

How does the health status of young people compare with that of other age groups in the Australian population?   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Young people generally have the best health status of all age groups because they experience lower rates of chronic diseases and higher self-reported wellbeing. This occurs when comparing mortality and morbidity data across different age cohorts in Australian health reports.
  • Self-assessed health ratings demonstrate that young people report excellent or very good health more frequently than older populations. These positive perceptions result from fewer chronic conditions and greater physical capabilities. However, mental health issues create concerning trends specifically affecting this demographic.
  • Mortality patterns show injury and poisoning as leading causes of death for young people. This contrasts with older age groups where chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer predominate. The shift occurs because longer exposure to risk factors accumulates health problems over time.
  • Chronic disease prevalence increases significantly with age as lifestyle behaviours and environmental exposures compound over decades. For example, cardiovascular disease rarely affects young people but becomes the leading cause of death in those aged 45-64 years.
  • Mental health presents a notable exception where young people experience higher rates than some older groups. This trend reflects increased anxiety and depression particularly affecting females aged 16-24. Social media and academic pressures contribute to these concerning patterns.
  • Preventable conditions like dental disease and sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect young people. These issues occur because risk-taking behaviours and limited health service engagement characterise this age group’s health-seeking patterns.
Show Worked Solution
  • Young people generally have the best health status of all age groups because they experience lower rates of chronic diseases and higher self-reported wellbeing. This occurs when comparing mortality and morbidity data across different age cohorts in Australian health reports.
  • Self-assessed health ratings demonstrate that young people report excellent or very good health more frequently than older populations. These positive perceptions result from fewer chronic conditions and greater physical capabilities. However, mental health issues create concerning trends specifically affecting this demographic.
  • Mortality patterns show injury and poisoning as leading causes of death for young people. This contrasts with older age groups where chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer predominate. The shift occurs because longer exposure to risk factors accumulates health problems over time.
  • Chronic disease prevalence increases significantly with age as lifestyle behaviours and environmental exposures compound over decades. For example, cardiovascular disease rarely affects young people but becomes the leading cause of death in those aged 45-64 years.
  • Mental health presents a notable exception where young people experience higher rates than some older groups. This trend reflects increased anxiety and depression particularly affecting females aged 16-24. Social media and academic pressures contribute to these concerning patterns.
  • Preventable conditions like dental disease and sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect young people. These issues occur because risk-taking behaviours and limited health service engagement characterise this age group’s health-seeking patterns.

HMS, BM 2014 HSC 27

Compare the two anaerobic energy systems.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

ATP-PCr system and Glycolytic (Lactic Acid) system

Similarities:

  • Both systems operate without oxygen during anaerobic metabolism processes.
  • Both provide energy for high-intensity, short-duration explosive activities.
  • Both systems work together during power-based movements like sprinting.
  • Both use stored energy sources available within muscle tissue.
  • Both produce ATP for immediate muscular contraction requirements.

Differences:

  • ATP-PCr uses stored phosphocreatine whilst glycolytic system uses muscle glycogen and glucose.
  • ATP-PCr operates for 10-15 seconds maximum, glycolytic system functions 15 seconds to 2 minutes.
  • ATP-PCr produces ATP most rapidly but glycolytic system has greater total capacity.
  • ATP-PCr fatigues when phosphocreatine stores deplete, glycolytic fatigues from lactate accumulation.
  • ATP-PCr recovers completely in 2-3 minutes, glycolytic requires longer recovery periods.
  • ATP-PCr produces no fatiguing by-products, glycolytic creates lactate causing muscle burn.

Summary:

  • ATP-PCr provides immediate explosive power whilst glycolytic sustains high-intensity efforts for longer periods.
Show Worked Solution

ATP-PCr system and Glycolytic (Lactic Acid) system

Similarities:

  • Both systems operate without oxygen during anaerobic metabolism processes.
  • Both provide energy for high-intensity, short-duration explosive activities.
  • Both systems work together during power-based movements like sprinting.
  • Both use stored energy sources available within muscle tissue.
  • Both produce ATP for immediate muscular contraction requirements.

Differences:

  • ATP-PCr uses stored phosphocreatine whilst glycolytic system uses muscle glycogen and glucose.
  • ATP-PCr operates for 10-15 seconds maximum, glycolytic system functions 15 seconds to 2 minutes.
  • ATP-PCr produces ATP most rapidly but glycolytic system has greater total capacity.
  • ATP-PCr fatigues when phosphocreatine stores deplete, glycolytic fatigues from lactate accumulation.
  • ATP-PCr recovers completely in 2-3 minutes, glycolytic requires longer recovery periods.
  • ATP-PCr produces no fatiguing by-products, glycolytic creates lactate causing muscle burn.

Summary:

  • ATP-PCr provides immediate explosive power whilst glycolytic sustains high-intensity efforts for longer periods.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, HIC 2014 HSC 24

Explain why individuals, communities and governments should work in partnership on health promotion initiatives. Provide examples.   (8 marks)

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  • Partnerships are essential because they combine different expertise and resources that no single group possesses. Combined efforts create more comprehensive and effective health promotion strategies than isolated approaches.
  • Individual participation ensures that health promotion initiatives address real community needs and concerns. Strong connections mean programs are more likely to be accepted and sustained by target populations. For example, community members identifying local barriers to physical activity leads to more relevant solutions.
  • Community involvement provides local knowledge and cultural understanding that improves program effectiveness. Local input results in initiatives that respect community values and existing social networks. The Healthy Cities Illawarra program demonstrates how community participation creates locally relevant health promotion strategies.
  • Government partnership brings policy support, funding and regulatory power needed for large-scale change. Official backing enables comprehensive approaches that address structural determinants of health. For instance, anti-smoking campaigns combine government legislation with community education programs.
  • Resource sharing occurs when different partners contribute their unique strengths and capabilities. Collaborative arrangements create cost-effective solutions that maximise impact while minimising individual organisational burden. The outcome is sustainable programs that continue beyond initial funding periods.
  • Shared responsibility ensures that health promotion becomes embedded across multiple sectors rather than isolated initiatives. Multi-sector approaches generate broader community ownership and long-term commitment to health improvement goals.
Show Worked Solution
  • Partnerships are essential because they combine different expertise and resources that no single group possesses. Combined efforts create more comprehensive and effective health promotion strategies than isolated approaches.
  • Individual participation ensures that health promotion initiatives address real community needs and concerns. Strong connections mean programs are more likely to be accepted and sustained by target populations. For example, community members identifying local barriers to physical activity leads to more relevant solutions.
  • Community involvement provides local knowledge and cultural understanding that improves program effectiveness. Local input results in initiatives that respect community values and existing social networks. The Healthy Cities Illawarra program demonstrates how community participation creates locally relevant health promotion strategies.
  • Government partnership brings policy support, funding and regulatory power needed for large-scale change. Official backing enables comprehensive approaches that address structural determinants of health. For instance, anti-smoking campaigns combine government legislation with community education programs.
  • Resource sharing occurs when different partners contribute their unique strengths and capabilities. Collaborative arrangements create cost-effective solutions that maximise impact while minimising individual organisational burden. The outcome is sustainable programs that continue beyond initial funding periods.
  • Shared responsibility ensures that health promotion becomes embedded across multiple sectors rather than isolated initiatives. Multi-sector approaches generate broader community ownership and long-term commitment to health improvement goals.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, TIP 2014 HSC 17 MC

Which of the following recovery techniques is an effective neural strategy?

  1. Cooling of muscles to allow repair
  2. Focusing the mind to overcome pain
  3. Relaxing muscles that have been fatigued or damaged
  4. Adopting a nutrition plan to replace lost fluids and nutrients
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Muscle relaxation is a neural strategy affecting nervous system control.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Cooling is physiological not neural recovery strategy.
  • B is incorrect: Mental focus is psychological not neural strategy.
  • D is incorrect: Nutrition replacement is physiological not neural strategy.

♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, BM 2014 HSC 14 MC

Which group of physical skills is best acquired using massed practice?

  1. Skills learnt in an open environment
  2. Skills that require extensive external feedback
  3. Skills that require a high degree of coordination
  4. Skills that have a distinctive beginning and end
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Discrete skills with clear start/finish benefit from massed practice.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Open skills need distributed practice for environmental adaptation.
  • B is incorrect: Skills needing feedback require distributed practice for processing.
  • C is incorrect: Complex coordination skills need distributed practice for learning.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 39%.

HMS, BM 2014 HSC 13 MC

In basketball, players can be awarded a ‘free throw’ whereby they are allowed to attempt a shot without any defenders.

Which set of motor skills is used in a basketball free throw?

  1. Closed and fine
  2. Closed and gross
  3. Open and fine
  4. Open and gross
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Free throw is closed skill in controlled environment using gross motor skills.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Basketball shooting uses gross not fine motor skills.
  • C is incorrect: Free throw is closed skill not open skill.
  • D is incorrect: Free throw environment is predictable making it closed skill.

♦♦ Mean mark 46%.

HMS, HIC 2014 HSC 8 MC

What major considerations do governments and health authorities take into account when prioritising health issues?

  1. The burden of illness in the community and the potential for reducing this burden
  2. The cost of illness to the community and the socioeconomic capacity of the affected community
  3. The mortality rate and the ability to deal with mortality in a community
  4. The morbidity rate and the number of health services already available for a community
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Disease burden and prevention potential are key priority considerations.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Cost alone doesn’t determine health priorities without burden assessment.
  • C is incorrect: Mortality alone is too narrow for comprehensive priority setting.
  • D is incorrect: Morbidity and services don’t capture full priority setting criteria.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, TIP 2015 HSC 16 MC

Why is cryotherapy an effective post-exercise recovery procedure?

  1. It dilates blood flow and reduces muscle soreness.
  2. It dilates blood flow and increases dispersal of waste.
  3. It constricts blood flow and decreases dispersal of waste.
  4. It constricts blood flow and reduces an inflammatory response.
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Cryotherapy constricts blood vessels and reduces inflammatory response.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Cryotherapy constricts not dilates blood flow.
  • B is incorrect: Cold causes vasoconstriction not vasodilation.
  • C is incorrect: While it constricts flow it helps not hinders recovery.

♦♦ Mean mark 46%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 15 MC

The graph shows the mortality rate (1992-2010) for a preventable chronic disease in Australia.
 

Which of the following is most likely to be the preventable chronic disease represented in the graph?

  1. Obesity
  2. Lung cancer
  3. Type 2 diabetes
  4. Colorectal cancer
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Lung cancer shows declining mortality with higher male rates.

Note: Historical data remains educationally relevant for teaching epidemiological interpretation skills and understanding public health trends.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Obesity mortality rates are generally increasing not declining.
  • C is incorrect: Type 2 diabetes mortality shows different gender patterns.
  • D is incorrect: Colorectal cancer has less pronounced gender differences.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, TIP 2015 HSC 14 MC

Which of the following would be a suitable weight training plan for enhancing the performance of an endurance athlete?

  1. Low repetition numbers with long recovery periods between sets
  2. Low repetition numbers with short recovery periods between sets
  3. High repetition numbers with slow speed and long recovery periods between sets
  4. High repetition numbers with fast speed and short recovery periods between sets
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: High reps with fast speed and short recovery mimics endurance demands.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Low reps and long recovery develops power not endurance.
  • B is incorrect: Low reps develops strength not muscular endurance.
  • C is incorrect: Slow speed and long recovery doesn’t match endurance specificity.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 9 MC

In which action area of the Ottawa Charter does the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) belong?

  1. Developing personal skills
  2. Reorienting health services
  3. Building healthy public policy
  4. Strengthening community action
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: PBS is government policy that makes medications affordable.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: PBS doesn’t develop individual skills.
  • B is incorrect: PBS doesn’t change how services are delivered.
  • D is incorrect: PBS is government policy not community action.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, TIP 2015 HSC 8 MC

Why is an adequate intake of vitamins important in an athlete's diet?

  1. They are energy rich nutrients.
  2. They act as catalysts to assist energy metabolism.
  3. They increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
  4. They restore bone density when used with load bearing exercise.
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Vitamins act as catalysts to assist energy metabolism.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Vitamins provide no energy themselves.
  • C is incorrect: Iron increases oxygen carrying capacity not vitamins generally.
  • D is incorrect: Calcium and vitamin D help bones but not vitamins alone.
♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, HAG 2015 HSC 7 MC

Meditation techniques are used by some patients while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

What type of approach to treatment is this?

  1. Diversionary
  2. Pain management
  3. Alternative health care
  4. Complementary health care
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Meditation alongside chemotherapy represents complementary healthcare approach.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Diversionary is not a recognised healthcare treatment category.
  • B is incorrect: Too narrow, meditation has broader benefits than pain.
  • C is incorrect: Alternative replaces conventional treatment, this supplements it.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 34%.

HMS, HAG 2015 HSC 4 MC

Which of the following best defines the process of metastasis?

  1. Scanning to locate a tumour
  2. Cells dividing and multiplying
  3. Malignant cells invading body tissue or organs
  4. Differentiating between different types of cancers
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Metastasis is malignant cells spreading to other body parts.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: This describes diagnostic imaging procedures, not metastasis.
  • B is incorrect: This describes general cell division, not cancer spread.
  • D is incorrect: This describes cancer classification, not the spreading process.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 33b

Explain the characteristics of an effective and sustainable health promotion strategy.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • An effective and sustainable health promotion strategy requires specific characteristics that ensure long-term success and positive health outcomes for target populations. The reason for this is that health promotion must address multiple factors to create lasting change in communities and achieve meaningful improvements.
  • Firstly, working with target groups in program design and implementation is essential because communities understand their own health needs better than outsiders and can identify relevant priorities. This occurs when health professionals collaborate directly with community members to identify priority health issues and develop appropriate solutions together. For instance, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations involve local communities in planning health services which results in culturally appropriate care that people trust and use regularly.
  • Consequently, cultural relevance and appropriateness ensures health promotion strategies respect community values and beliefs while acknowledging diverse backgrounds. This leads to greater community acceptance and participation because people feel their culture is valued rather than ignored or criticised by health programs.
  • Therefore, focusing on skills, education and prevention enables communities to develop health literacy and make informed decisions about their wellbeing independently. As a result, programs that teach practical skills like nutrition education or smoking cessation techniques create sustainable behaviour change because they address individual knowledge gaps and build personal capacity.
  • Furthermore, supporting whole populations while directing extra resources to high-risk groups achieves equity in health outcomes across diverse communities. This demonstrates how universal programs combined with targeted interventions address both general health improvement and specific community needs simultaneously without creating division.
  • Finally, intersectorial collaboration between health sectors, governments, industry, local authorities, media and voluntary organisations ensures comprehensive approaches that avoid duplication of resources and expertise. This occurs because all sectors within the community share responsibility for health promotion, which creates coordinated efforts that maximise program effectiveness across multiple areas of influence.
Show Worked Solution
  • An effective and sustainable health promotion strategy requires specific characteristics that ensure long-term success and positive health outcomes for target populations. The reason for this is that health promotion must address multiple factors to create lasting change in communities and achieve meaningful improvements.
  • Firstly, working with target groups in program design and implementation is essential because communities understand their own health needs better than outsiders and can identify relevant priorities. This occurs when health professionals collaborate directly with community members to identify priority health issues and develop appropriate solutions together. For instance, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations involve local communities in planning health services which results in culturally appropriate care that people trust and use regularly.
  • Consequently, cultural relevance and appropriateness ensures health promotion strategies respect community values and beliefs while acknowledging diverse backgrounds. This leads to greater community acceptance and participation because people feel their culture is valued rather than ignored or criticised by health programs.
  • Therefore, focusing on skills, education and prevention enables communities to develop health literacy and make informed decisions about their wellbeing independently. As a result, programs that teach practical skills like nutrition education or smoking cessation techniques create sustainable behaviour change because they address individual knowledge gaps and build personal capacity.
  • Furthermore, supporting whole populations while directing extra resources to high-risk groups achieves equity in health outcomes across diverse communities. This demonstrates how universal programs combined with targeted interventions address both general health improvement and specific community needs simultaneously without creating division.
  • Finally, intersectorial collaboration between health sectors, governments, industry, local authorities, media and voluntary organisations ensures comprehensive approaches that avoid duplication of resources and expertise. This occurs because all sectors within the community share responsibility for health promotion, which creates coordinated efforts that maximise program effectiveness across multiple areas of influence.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 32%.

HMS, HAG 2015 HSC 33a

How can generalisations about Australians who experience health inequalities be challenged?   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Generalisations about Australians experiencing health inequities can be challenged by using reliable health information and questioning what people assume about disadvantaged groups. The reason for this is that harmful stereotypes often oversimplify complex health determinants affecting disadvantaged groups.
  • This occurs when people question broad statements by examining reliable health data from sources like Australia’s Health reports. For instance, challenging assumptions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health requires understanding how colonisation impacts contribute to current health disparities rather than blaming individual lifestyle choices.
  • Consequently, promoting health literacy enables individuals to critically analyse media representations about disadvantaged groups. This leads to better understanding of how social determinants like education, employment and housing influence health outcomes more than personal behaviours.
  • The underlying reason is that involving affected communities in defining their own health challenges prevents others from making assumptions about them. Therefore, direct contact with affected populations helps break down misconceptions because personal experiences contradict stereotypical assumptions.
  • As a result, research methods that include disadvantaged groups in the process ensure they participate in health research rather than being passive subjects.
  • This demonstrates how combining evidence-based information with community involvement creates more accurate understandings of health inequity causes.
Show Worked Solution
  • Generalisations about Australians experiencing health inequities can be challenged by using reliable health information and questioning what people assume about disadvantaged groups. The reason for this is that harmful stereotypes often oversimplify complex health determinants affecting disadvantaged groups.
  • This occurs when people question broad statements by examining reliable health data from sources like Australia’s Health reports. For instance, challenging assumptions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health requires understanding how colonisation impacts contribute to current health disparities rather than blaming individual lifestyle choices.
  • Consequently, promoting health literacy enables individuals to critically analyse media representations about disadvantaged groups. This leads to better understanding of how social determinants like education, employment and housing influence health outcomes more than personal behaviours.
  • The underlying reason is that involving affected communities in defining their own health challenges prevents others from making assumptions about them. Therefore, direct contact with affected populations helps break down misconceptions because personal experiences contradict stereotypical assumptions.
  • As a result, research methods that include disadvantaged groups in the process ensure they participate in health research rather than being passive subjects.
  • This demonstrates how combining evidence-based information with community involvement creates more accurate understandings of health inequity causes.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 36%.

HMS, TIP 2015 HSC 32a

How does planning for performance differ for elite and amateur athletes?   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Planning for performance differs significantly between elite and amateur athletes due to varying time commitments, resource availability, and competitive demands. The underlying reason is that elite athletes operate as full-time professionals while amateur athletes balance training with work and family responsibilities.
  • Elite athletes require comprehensive yearly periodisation with multiple competition peaks because they compete internationally across extended seasons throughout the year. This leads to detailed planning incorporating pre-season conditioning, in-season maintenance and structured off-season recovery phases with specific mesocycles and microcycles. For instance, elite swimmers plan four-year cycles targeting major championships like Olympics or World Championships with precise tapering protocols.
  • Conversely, amateur athletes typically focus on single annual competition goals such as local championships or fun runs with simplified periodisation. This occurs because limited training time necessitates basic seasonal phases rather than complex mesocycles and detailed weekly microcycle planning.
  • Consequently, elite planning involves multidisciplinary teams including coaches, nutritionists, physiologists and sports psychologists which results in individualised programs addressing technical, physical and psychological development needs. However, amateur athletes often rely on generic training plans and self-coaching approaches due to financial constraints and accessibility limitations.
  • Therefore, elite athletes need much more detailed planning because they have higher performance goals and more resources available. This shows how planning complexity matches what each type of athlete is trying to achieve and what support they can access.
Show Worked Solution
  • Planning for performance differs significantly between elite and amateur athletes due to varying time commitments, resource availability, and competitive demands. The underlying reason is that elite athletes operate as full-time professionals while amateur athletes balance training with work and family responsibilities.
  • Elite athletes require comprehensive yearly periodisation with multiple competition peaks because they compete internationally across extended seasons throughout the year. This leads to detailed planning incorporating pre-season conditioning, in-season maintenance and structured off-season recovery phases with specific mesocycles and microcycles. For instance, elite swimmers plan four-year cycles targeting major championships like Olympics or World Championships with precise tapering protocols.
  • Conversely, amateur athletes typically focus on single annual competition goals such as local championships or fun runs with simplified periodisation. This occurs because limited training time necessitates basic seasonal phases rather than complex mesocycles and detailed weekly microcycle planning.
  • Consequently, elite planning involves multidisciplinary teams including coaches, nutritionists, physiologists and sports psychologists which results in individualised programs addressing technical, physical and psychological development needs. However, amateur athletes often rely on generic training plans and self-coaching approaches due to financial constraints and accessibility limitations.
  • Therefore, elite athletes need much more detailed planning because they have higher performance goals and more resources available. This shows how planning complexity matches what each type of athlete is trying to achieve and what support they can access.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 29b

To what extent can young people enjoy better health by developing their resilience, coping and health literacy skills?   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Judgment Statement

  • Young people can achieve significantly better health by developing resilience, coping and health literacy skills.
  • Effectiveness will however, depend on individual circumstances and support systems.

Resilience and Coping Benefits

  • Evidence supporting this includes resilience enabling young people to bounce back from setbacks and maintain positive mental health during challenging developmental periods.
  • One major reason why these skills prove effective is their ability to significantly reduce anxiety and depression rates among adolescents facing academic pressure or complex family difficulties.
  • For instance, young people with strong coping strategies use problem-solving techniques and seek appropriate support rather than turning to harmful behaviours like substance use or self-harm.
      
  • Resilience training programs in schools demonstrate measurable improvements in student wellbeing and academic performance across diverse populations.
  • The main factors supporting this include enhanced emotional regulation, improved social connections and increased help-seeking behaviours when problems arise.
  • This demonstrates that coping skills provide practical tools for managing stress before it negatively impacts physical and mental health.

Health Literacy Impact

  • Health literacy significantly enhances young people’s ability to make informed decisions about their wellbeing because it enables critical evaluation of health information from multiple sources including healthcare providers.
  • However, it is important to consider that digital age challenges include distinguishing reliable health websites from misleading social media content and peer influences.
      
  • An alternative perspective is that health literacy alone proves insufficient without supportive family and community environments that encourage healthy choices.
  • Despite this, young people with strong health literacy skills demonstrate better nutrition choices, increased physical activity participation and more responsible sexual health decisions throughout adolescence.

Reaffirmation

  • The evidence indicates that developing these skills creates substantial health improvements for young people.
  • While individual and environmental factors influence effectiveness, the combination of resilience, coping strategies and health literacy provides essential foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.
Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • Young people can achieve significantly better health by developing resilience, coping and health literacy skills.
  • Effectiveness will however, depend on individual circumstances and support systems.

Resilience and Coping Benefits

  • Evidence supporting this includes resilience enabling young people to bounce back from setbacks and maintain positive mental health during challenging developmental periods.
  • One major reason why these skills prove effective is their ability to significantly reduce anxiety and depression rates among adolescents facing academic pressure or complex family difficulties.
  • For instance, young people with strong coping strategies use problem-solving techniques and seek appropriate support rather than turning to harmful behaviours like substance use or self-harm.
      
  • Resilience training programs in schools demonstrate measurable improvements in student wellbeing and academic performance across diverse populations.
  • The main factors supporting this include enhanced emotional regulation, improved social connections and increased help-seeking behaviours when problems arise.
  • This demonstrates that coping skills provide practical tools for managing stress before it negatively impacts physical and mental health.

Health Literacy Impact

  • Health literacy significantly enhances young people’s ability to make informed decisions about their wellbeing because it enables critical evaluation of health information from multiple sources including healthcare providers.
  • However, it is important to consider that digital age challenges include distinguishing reliable health websites from misleading social media content and peer influences.
      
  • An alternative perspective is that health literacy alone proves insufficient without supportive family and community environments that encourage healthy choices.
  • Despite this, young people with strong health literacy skills demonstrate better nutrition choices, increased physical activity participation and more responsible sexual health decisions throughout adolescence.

Reaffirmation

  • The evidence indicates that developing these skills creates substantial health improvements for young people.
  • While individual and environmental factors influence effectiveness, the combination of resilience, coping strategies and health literacy provides essential foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 39%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 29a

How do perceptions of self-identity and self-worth affect the health of young people?   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Overview Statement

  • Self-identity and self-worth perceptions fundamentally influence young people’s health choices and wellbeing outcomes through their direct impact on mental health stability and health-protective behaviours.

Self-Identity and Health Behaviours

  • Young people’s self-identity formation determines their health-related decision-making patterns because identity shapes personal values and lifestyle choices.
  • This occurs when adolescents who identify as athletes prioritise physical fitness and nutrition to maintain their self-image.
  • Conversely, those experiencing identity confusion may engage in risky behaviours like substance use to fit perceived social expectations or rebel against authority figures.
  • The underlying reason is that self-identity provides the framework through which young people interpret health information and make behavioural choices.

Self-Worth and Mental Health

  • Low self-worth directly contributes to increased rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm among young people because negative self-perception creates ongoing feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.
  • This results in social withdrawal, poor academic performance and reduced help-seeking behaviours when health problems arise.
  • However, positive self-worth enables resilience against peer pressure and supports healthy coping strategies during stressful periods.

Health Impact Integration

  • Therefore, both self-identity and self-worth work together to shape young people’s health outcomes because they influence daily decisions about exercise, nutrition and risk-taking behaviours.
  • This shows how psychological wellbeing connects directly to physical health through the choices young people make about their lifestyle and relationships.
Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement

  • Self-identity and self-worth perceptions fundamentally influence young people’s health choices and wellbeing outcomes through their direct impact on mental health stability and health-protective behaviours.

Self-Identity and Health Behaviours

  • Young people’s self-identity formation determines their health-related decision-making patterns because identity shapes personal values and lifestyle choices.
  • This occurs when adolescents who identify as athletes prioritise physical fitness and nutrition to maintain their self-image.
  • Conversely, those experiencing identity confusion may engage in risky behaviours like substance use to fit perceived social expectations or rebel against authority figures.
  • The underlying reason is that self-identity provides the framework through which young people interpret health information and make behavioural choices.

Self-Worth and Mental Health

  • Low self-worth directly contributes to increased rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm among young people because negative self-perception creates ongoing feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness.
  • This results in social withdrawal, poor academic performance and reduced help-seeking behaviours when health problems arise.
  • However, positive self-worth enables resilience against peer pressure and supports healthy coping strategies during stressful periods.

Health Impact Integration

  • Therefore, both self-identity and self-worth work together to shape young people’s health outcomes because they influence daily decisions about exercise, nutrition and risk-taking behaviours.
  • This shows how psychological wellbeing connects directly to physical health through the choices young people make about their lifestyle and relationships.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 22

Explain how health services in Australia have been reoriented to address ONE health promotion initiative.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • The reorientation of health services involves shifting from purely curative approaches to preventative care models. This occurs because health services have changed focus from purely treatment centred models to those with a disease prevention focus through early intervention strategies. The National Tobacco Campaign demonstrates this reorientation effectively.
  • As a result, general practitioners now provide smoking cessation counselling and prescribe nicotine replacement therapies rather than only treating smoking-related diseases. Consequently, health professionals receive training in behaviour change techniques to support patients wanting to quit smoking.
  • The underlying reason is new service delivery models where doctors actively screen for smoking status during routine consultations. Thus, the major change is that patients receive lifestyle prescriptions and referrals to Quitline services before developing tobacco-related conditions.
  • Therefore, the healthcare system now emphasises prevention through early identification and intervention, which means that resources focus on stopping health problems before they require expensive treatments to cure.
Show Worked Solution
  • The reorientation of health services involves shifting from purely curative approaches to preventative care models. This occurs because health services have changed focus from purely treatment centred models to those with a disease prevention focus through early intervention strategies. The National Tobacco Campaign demonstrates this reorientation effectively.
  • As a result, general practitioners now provide smoking cessation counselling and prescribe nicotine replacement therapies rather than only treating smoking-related diseases. Consequently, health professionals receive training in behaviour change techniques to support patients wanting to quit smoking.
  • The underlying reason is new service delivery models where doctors actively screen for smoking status during routine consultations. Thus, the major change is that patients receive lifestyle prescriptions and referrals to Quitline services before developing tobacco-related conditions.
  • Therefore, the healthcare system now emphasises prevention through early identification and intervention, which means that resources focus on stopping health problems before they require expensive treatments to cure.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, HAG 2016 HSC 31b

To what extent do different factors contribute to the health inequities experienced by a population group in Australia?   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Assessment Statement

  • Different factors contribute to a significant extent in creating health inequities experienced by people with disability in Australia.
  • Socioeconomic, environmental and social determinants interact systematically to create compounding disadvantages that limit health outcomes substantially.

Socioeconomic Factors – Major Contribution

  • Employment discrimination creates substantial health inequities for people with disability through reduced income and limited healthcare access.
  • Unemployment rates exceed 50% among people with intellectual disability compared to 5% in the general population.
  • This economic disadvantage leads to reliance on public healthcare systems with extended waiting periods and reduced specialist access.
  • Evidence supporting major impact includes people with disability experiencing twice the rate of unmet healthcare needs due to financial barriers.
  • Private health insurance remains unaffordable, limiting access to allied health services like physiotherapy and psychology that could prevent secondary health complications.

Environmental Factors – Substantial Contribution

  • Physical accessibility barriers significantly restrict healthcare service utilisation among people with mobility impairments and sensory disabilities.
  • Medical facilities often lack appropriate ramps, accessible toilets, and communication aids required for safe healthcare delivery.
  • Transport limitations compound access problems with inadequate accessible public transport preventing routine medical appointments and emergency service access.
  • Geographic isolation particularly affects rural people with disability who face combinations of physical barriers and service shortages creating severe health disadvantages.

Social Factors – Moderate Contribution

  • Healthcare provider attitudes create discrimination and poor-quality care experiences that discourage continued healthcare engagement.
  • Limited disability awareness training results in miscommunication, inappropriate treatment approaches and inadequate accommodation of individual needs.
  • These social barriers lead to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate medication management, and reduced preventative care participation among people with disability.

Final Assessment

  • Evidence demonstrates significant combined impact where multiple factors interact to create systematic exclusion from optimal healthcare.
  • Socioeconomic factors prove most influential through direct financial barriers, while environmental and social factors amplify existing disadvantages substantially.

Show Worked Solution

Assessment Statement

  • Different factors contribute to a significant extent in creating health inequities experienced by people with disability in Australia.
  • Socioeconomic, environmental and social determinants interact systematically to create compounding disadvantages that limit health outcomes substantially.

Socioeconomic Factors – Major Contribution

  • Employment discrimination creates substantial health inequities for people with disability through reduced income and limited healthcare access.
  • Unemployment rates exceed 50% among people with intellectual disability compared to 5% in the general population.
  • This economic disadvantage leads to reliance on public healthcare systems with extended waiting periods and reduced specialist access.
  • Evidence supporting major impact includes people with disability experiencing twice the rate of unmet healthcare needs due to financial barriers.
  • Private health insurance remains unaffordable, limiting access to allied health services like physiotherapy and psychology that could prevent secondary health complications.

Environmental Factors – Substantial Contribution

  • Physical accessibility barriers significantly restrict healthcare service utilisation among people with mobility impairments and sensory disabilities.
  • Medical facilities often lack appropriate ramps, accessible toilets, and communication aids required for safe healthcare delivery.
  • Transport limitations compound access problems with inadequate accessible public transport preventing routine medical appointments and emergency service access.
  • Geographic isolation particularly affects rural people with disability who face combinations of physical barriers and service shortages creating severe health disadvantages.

Social Factors – Moderate Contribution

  • Healthcare provider attitudes create discrimination and poor-quality care experiences that discourage continued healthcare engagement.
  • Limited disability awareness training results in miscommunication, inappropriate treatment approaches and inadequate accommodation of individual needs.
  • These social barriers lead to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate medication management, and reduced preventative care participation among people with disability.

Final Assessment

  • Evidence demonstrates significant combined impact where multiple factors interact to create systematic exclusion from optimal healthcare.
  • Socioeconomic factors prove most influential through direct financial barriers, while environmental and social factors amplify existing disadvantages substantially.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, HAG 2016 HSC 31a

In relation to a group affected by health inequities, explain the role of the media in influencing social attitudes and public policy.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Rural and Remote Australians

  • Media representation directly shapes public perceptions about rural communities through stereotypical portrayals that influence funding priorities.
  • This occurs because mainstream media often depicts rural areas as backward or resistant to change rather than highlighting systemic disadvantages.
  • When negative stereotypes dominate coverage of rural health issues, urban audiences develop unsympathetic attitudes toward resource allocation needs.
  • For instance, when television programs portray rural people as self-reliant and independent, public support decreases for government health service funding in remote areas.
      
  • Limited media access creates barriers to health promotion message delivery that compounds existing rural health disadvantages.
  • This happens because rural communities often experience poor internet connectivity and reduced television reception affecting health campaign exposure.
  • Geographic isolation leads to missed opportunities for accessing digital health promotion initiatives and online health resources.
  • Evidence of this includes rural youth missing social media mental health campaigns due to poor digital infrastructure, resulting in delayed help-seeking behaviours during crisis periods.
      
  • Positive media advocacy generates significant policy improvements when rural health stories receive compassionate and accurate representation.
  • This works by humanising rural health challenges and creating emotional connections with urban audiences and politicians.
  • Community-driven media initiatives trigger increased government attention and funding announcements for rural health infrastructure development.
  • A clear example is rural communities using local newspapers and radio stations to document healthcare worker shortages, prompting state government recruitment incentive programs and improved medical training placements.

Show Worked Solution

Rural and Remote Australians

  • Media representation directly shapes public perceptions about rural communities through stereotypical portrayals that influence funding priorities.
  • This occurs because mainstream media often depicts rural areas as backward or resistant to change rather than highlighting systemic disadvantages.
  • When negative stereotypes dominate coverage of rural health issues, urban audiences develop unsympathetic attitudes toward resource allocation needs.
  • For instance, when television programs portray rural people as self-reliant and independent, public support decreases for government health service funding in remote areas.
      
  • Limited media access creates barriers to health promotion message delivery that compounds existing rural health disadvantages.
  • This happens because rural communities often experience poor internet connectivity and reduced television reception affecting health campaign exposure.
  • Geographic isolation leads to missed opportunities for accessing digital health promotion initiatives and online health resources.
  • Evidence of this includes rural youth missing social media mental health campaigns due to poor digital infrastructure, resulting in delayed help-seeking behaviours during crisis periods.
      
  • Positive media advocacy generates significant policy improvements when rural health stories receive compassionate and accurate representation.
  • This works by humanising rural health challenges and creating emotional connections with urban audiences and politicians.
  • Community-driven media initiatives trigger increased government attention and funding announcements for rural health infrastructure development.
  • A clear example is rural communities using local newspapers and radio stations to document healthcare worker shortages, prompting state government recruitment incentive programs and improved medical training placements.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, TIP 2016 HSC 30b

A training session is being designed for an activity of your choice.

Justify each element that should be considered for the session.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Position Statement

  • Essential training session elements are crucial for maximising performance outcomes and enhancing competitive capabilities.
  • Health screening, warm-up protocols, skill instruction and evaluation components provide systematic frameworks for achieving optimal performance improvements.

Health and Safety Screening

  • Pre-session health screening proves essential for optimising performance capacity by ensuring athletes can train at maximum intensity without physical limitations.
  • Evidence supporting performance benefits includes athletes achieving notably higher training loads when injury-free compared to those with minor restrictions.
  • Identifying fatigue levels enables coaches to adjust session intensity for optimal adaptation responses.
  • For swimming training sessions, screening shoulder mobility ensures full stroke efficiency and power generation throughout the session.
  • This screening maximises training quality by preventing performance decrements from undetected physical limitations.

Warm-up and Preparation

  • Comprehensive warm-up procedures demonstrate critical performance enhancement benefits through improved neuromuscular activation and increased power output capacity.
  • Progressive intensity increases enhance muscle contraction speed whilst optimising oxygen delivery to working muscles.
  • Research confirms that structured warm-ups increase sprint performance by approximately 10% compared to inadequate preparation routines.
  • Dynamic stretching and sport-specific movements prove essential for achieving peak force production and movement efficiency during main training activities.

Skill Instruction and Practice

  • Systematic skill instruction provides fundamental performance improvements through enhanced movement efficiency and reduced energy expenditure during competition.
  • Clear demonstration and corrective feedback enable athletes to achieve optimal technique patterns that maximise force application and speed development.
  • Skill progressions from simple to complex movements ensure progressive performance gains whilst building movement confidence under competitive pressure.

Session Evaluation and Feedback

  • Post-training evaluation proves vital for maximising long-term performance development through identification of training adaptations and performance improvements.
  • Performance data collection enables coaches to quantify session effectiveness and adjust future training for continued performance gains.

Reinforcement

  • Evidence overwhelmingly supports incorporating all elements systematically to create performance-focused training experiences.
  • Such experiences deliver measurable competitive improvements whilst maintaining training consistency.

Show Worked Solution

Position Statement

  • Essential training session elements are crucial for maximising performance outcomes and enhancing competitive capabilities.
  • Health screening, warm-up protocols, skill instruction and evaluation components provide systematic frameworks for achieving optimal performance improvements.

Health and Safety Screening

  • Pre-session health screening proves essential for optimising performance capacity by ensuring athletes can train at maximum intensity without physical limitations.
  • Evidence supporting performance benefits includes athletes achieving notably higher training loads when injury-free compared to those with minor restrictions.
  • Identifying fatigue levels enables coaches to adjust session intensity for optimal adaptation responses.
  • For swimming training sessions, screening shoulder mobility ensures full stroke efficiency and power generation throughout the session.
  • This screening maximises training quality by preventing performance decrements from undetected physical limitations.

Warm-up and Preparation

  • Comprehensive warm-up procedures demonstrate critical performance enhancement benefits through improved neuromuscular activation and increased power output capacity.
  • Progressive intensity increases enhance muscle contraction speed whilst optimising oxygen delivery to working muscles.
  • Research confirms that structured warm-ups increase sprint performance by approximately 10% compared to inadequate preparation routines.
  • Dynamic stretching and sport-specific movements prove essential for achieving peak force production and movement efficiency during main training activities.

Skill Instruction and Practice

  • Systematic skill instruction provides fundamental performance improvements through enhanced movement efficiency and reduced energy expenditure during competition.
  • Clear demonstration and corrective feedback enable athletes to achieve optimal technique patterns that maximise force application and speed development.
  • Skill progressions from simple to complex movements ensure progressive performance gains whilst building movement confidence under competitive pressure.

Session Evaluation and Feedback

  • Post-training evaluation proves vital for maximising long-term performance development through identification of training adaptations and performance improvements.
  • Performance data collection enables coaches to quantify session effectiveness and adjust future training for continued performance gains.

Reinforcement

  • Evidence overwhelmingly supports incorporating all elements systematically to create performance-focused training experiences.
  • Such experiences deliver measurable competitive improvements whilst maintaining training consistency.

HMS, HIC 2016 HSC 27b

Evaluate government strategies or actions that target major health issues affecting young people.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Evaluation Statement

  • Government strategies targeting youth health issues prove moderately effective in addressing mental health and substance abuse concerns.
  • Effectiveness varies significantly based on accessibility, implementation consistency and community engagement levels across different regions.

Mental Health Strategy Effectiveness

  • Youth mental health funding achieves substantial health improvements through Headspace centres providing accessible counselling and psychiatric services for young people aged 12-25 years. These government-funded facilities offer free support with reduced waiting times compared to traditional mental health services.
  • Evidence supporting health impact includes measurable reductions in youth suicide rates and decreased mental health-related emergency department presentations in areas with Headspace coverage. The program demonstrates strong health outcomes through almost three-quarters of clients showing improved mental wellbeing scores and reduced psychological distress following treatment interventions.
  • However, significant health disparities persist in rural and remote areas where youth suicide rates remain elevated due to inadequate service coverage. Geographic inequities create substantial mental health outcome differences between metropolitan and regional young people.
  • School-based programs like KidsMatter show inconsistent health impacts with variable depression and anxiety reduction rates across different educational systems.

Substance Abuse Prevention Effectiveness

  • Drug education programs produce limited health impact with traditional approaches failing to achieve substantial reductions in youth substance use rates. Government initiatives show minimal influence on binge drinking behaviours and cannabis experimentation among target age groups.
  • Conversely, harm reduction strategies demonstrate better health outcomes through reduced drug-related hospitalisations and decreased overdose incidents among program participants.
  • Road safety campaigns prove highly effective for health improvement through graduated licensing systems reducing youth road fatalities by 40% since implementation. These legislative measures significantly decrease serious injury rates and trauma-related disabilities among young drivers through evidence-based policy interventions.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall assessment reveals moderate effectiveness with strongest outcomes in legislative approaches.
  • Weakest results occur in education-based interventions requiring sustained community engagement and consistent implementation.

Show Worked Solution

Evaluation Statement

  • Government strategies targeting youth health issues prove moderately effective in addressing mental health and substance abuse concerns.
  • Effectiveness varies significantly based on accessibility, implementation consistency and community engagement levels across different regions.

Mental Health Strategy Effectiveness

  • Youth mental health funding achieves substantial health improvements through Headspace centres providing accessible counselling and psychiatric services for young people aged 12-25 years. These government-funded facilities offer free support with reduced waiting times compared to traditional mental health services.
  • Evidence supporting health impact includes measurable reductions in youth suicide rates and decreased mental health-related emergency department presentations in areas with Headspace coverage. The program demonstrates strong health outcomes through almost three-quarters of clients showing improved mental wellbeing scores and reduced psychological distress following treatment interventions.
  • However, significant health disparities persist in rural and remote areas where youth suicide rates remain elevated due to inadequate service coverage. Geographic inequities create substantial mental health outcome differences between metropolitan and regional young people.
  • School-based programs like KidsMatter show inconsistent health impacts with variable depression and anxiety reduction rates across different educational systems.

Substance Abuse Prevention Effectiveness

  • Drug education programs produce limited health impact with traditional approaches failing to achieve substantial reductions in youth substance use rates. Government initiatives show minimal influence on binge drinking behaviours and cannabis experimentation among target age groups.
  • Conversely, harm reduction strategies demonstrate better health outcomes through reduced drug-related hospitalisations and decreased overdose incidents among program participants.
  • Road safety campaigns prove highly effective for health improvement through graduated licensing systems reducing youth road fatalities by 40% since implementation. These legislative measures significantly decrease serious injury rates and trauma-related disabilities among young drivers through evidence-based policy interventions.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall assessment reveals moderate effectiveness with strongest outcomes in legislative approaches.
  • Weakest results occur in education-based interventions requiring sustained community engagement and consistent implementation.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, HIC 2016 HSC 27a

Explain how individual and sociocultural factors can adversely affect the health of young people.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Individual factors

  • Individual factors directly influence young people’s health through personal characteristics and behavioural choices that increase risk-taking behaviours.
  • This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity and impulse control during critical developmental periods.
  • For instance, when young males exhibit higher sensation-seeking tendencies, they engage in dangerous driving behaviours leading to increased motor vehicle accidents.
  • This demonstrates why individual risk-taking attitudes contribute significantly to injury-related hospitalisations among teenagers.

Genetic predisposition

  • Genetic predisposition creates vulnerability to mental health conditions that emerge during adolescence and early adulthood.
  • This happens because family history of depression and anxiety disorders increases likelihood of developing similar conditions.
  • Evidence of this includes young people with family mental health history experiencing onset of depressive symptoms during stressful periods.
  • The result is higher rates of self-harm and suicide attempts among genetically predisposed adolescents.

Sociocultural factors

  • Sociocultural factors generate peer pressure influences that promote unhealthy behaviours and substance experimentation among young people.
  • Social media platforms trigger unrealistic body image expectations and cyberbullying experiences that damage self-esteem.
  • A clear example is teenage girls developing eating disorders after exposure to idealised social media content.
  • Additionally, peer groups normalise binge drinking behaviours during social gatherings, leading to alcohol-related emergency department presentations and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents.
Show Worked Solution

Individual factors

  • Individual factors directly influence young people’s health through personal characteristics and behavioural choices that increase risk-taking behaviours.
  • This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity and impulse control during critical developmental periods.
  • For instance, when young males exhibit higher sensation-seeking tendencies, they engage in dangerous driving behaviours leading to increased motor vehicle accidents.
  • This demonstrates why individual risk-taking attitudes contribute significantly to injury-related hospitalisations among teenagers.

Genetic predisposition

  • Genetic predisposition creates vulnerability to mental health conditions that emerge during adolescence and early adulthood.
  • This happens because family history of depression and anxiety disorders increases likelihood of developing similar conditions.
  • Evidence of this includes young people with family mental health history experiencing onset of depressive symptoms during stressful periods.
  • The result is higher rates of self-harm and suicide attempts among genetically predisposed adolescents.

Sociocultural factors

  • Sociocultural factors generate peer pressure influences that promote unhealthy behaviours and substance experimentation among young people.
  • Social media platforms trigger unrealistic body image expectations and cyberbullying experiences that damage self-esteem.
  • A clear example is teenage girls developing eating disorders after exposure to idealised social media content.
  • Additionally, peer groups normalise binge drinking behaviours during social gatherings, leading to alcohol-related emergency department presentations and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents.

♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, HAG 2016 HSC 21

Using examples, describe the difference between alternative health therapies and complementary health therapies.   (5 marks)

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Complementary health therapies

  • Such approaches are used alongside conventional medical treatments to enhance overall patient care. They work together with mainstream medicine to support healing and wellbeing.
  • Complementary therapies supplement standard medical care rather than replacing it entirely.
  • For example, a cancer patient might receive chemotherapy from their oncologist whilst also using acupuncture to manage treatment side effects. Massage therapy can complement physiotherapy treatment for muscle injuries. Meditation might be used alongside antidepressant medication for mental health conditions.

Alternative health therapies

  • These therapies are used instead of conventional medical treatments as the primary healthcare approach. They replace mainstream medical interventions completely rather than supporting them.
  • Patients choose alternative approaches as their sole treatment method for health conditions.
  • For example, someone might choose herbal remedies instead of prescribed antibiotics for infections. A person might select homeopathic treatments rather than conventional surgery for medical conditions. Naturopathic approaches might replace pharmaceutical medications entirely.

Key difference

  • The key difference is in how these therapies interact with conventional medicine.
  • Complementary approaches enhance traditional treatment whilst alternative approaches replace conventional care completely.

Show Worked Solution

Complementary health therapies

  • Such approaches are used alongside conventional medical treatments to enhance overall patient care. They work together with mainstream medicine to support healing and wellbeing.
  • Complementary therapies supplement standard medical care rather than replacing it entirely.
  • For example, a cancer patient might receive chemotherapy from their oncologist whilst also using acupuncture to manage treatment side effects. Massage therapy can complement physiotherapy treatment for muscle injuries. Meditation might be used alongside antidepressant medication for mental health conditions.

Alternative health therapies

  • These therapies are used instead of conventional medical treatments as the primary healthcare approach. They replace mainstream medical interventions completely rather than supporting them.
  • Patients choose alternative approaches as their sole treatment method for health conditions.
  • For example, someone might choose herbal remedies instead of prescribed antibiotics for infections. A person might select homeopathic treatments rather than conventional surgery for medical conditions. Naturopathic approaches might replace pharmaceutical medications entirely.

Key difference

  • The key difference is in how these therapies interact with conventional medicine.
  • Complementary approaches enhance traditional treatment whilst alternative approaches replace conventional care completely.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, TIP 2016 HSC 20 MC

Which of the following adaptations is increased by long-term aerobic training?

  1. Fat metabolism
  2. ATP resynthesis
  3. Protein metabolism
  4. Fast-twitch fibre recruitment
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Aerobic training enhances the body’s ability to metabolise fats for energy.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: ATP resynthesis improves but fat metabolism is more specific.
  • C is incorrect: Protein metabolism isn’t a primary adaptation to aerobic training.
  • D is incorrect: Aerobic training develops slow-twitch fibres, not fast-twitch recruitment.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 40%.

HMS, BM 2016 HSC 18 MC

A learner is practising a complicated serial skill by breaking down the skill into segments. After developing each part, the learner reassembles the skill to get feedback from the coach during skill execution.

Which row in the table shows the practice methods and types of feedback that are described?
 

  Practice methods Types of feedback
A.  Part and whole Concurrent and external
B. Distributed Concurrent and external
C. Part and whole Knowledge of performance and delayed
D. Distributed Knowledge of performance and delayed

 

Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Breaking down then reassembling is part-whole practice with concurrent external feedback.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Distributed refers to rest periods, not skill breakdown.
  • C is incorrect: Feedback during execution is concurrent, not delayed.
  • D is incorrect: Both practice method and feedback timing are incorrect.

♦♦ Mean mark 53%.

HMS, TIP 2016 HSC 14 MC

Athletes dehydrate while competing in sporting events.

Which strategy would best address dehydration?

  1. Drinking 250 mL of water for every 30 minutes of competition
  2. Drinking 300 mL to 500 mL of water prior to commencing the event
  3. Drinking 600 mL of an energy sports drink at the completion of the event
  4. Drinking  100 mL of water for every 100 grams of body weight lost during the event
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Replacing fluid based on actual weight loss ensures proper rehydration.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Fixed amounts don’t account for individual sweat rates.
  • B is incorrect: Pre-event hydration doesn’t address dehydration during competition.
  • C is incorrect: Post-event only doesn’t prevent dehydration during competition.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 34%.

HMS, HAG 2017 HSC 31b

Assess the effectiveness of government funding aimed at improving the health status of Australians.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Assessment Statement

  • Government funding demonstrates highly effective outcomes in improving Australian health status through universal healthcare access, targeted support for disadvantaged groups, and evidence-based resource allocation. Effectiveness varies across different health areas and population groups.

Healthcare Infrastructure and Universal Access

  • Medicare funding achieves excellent results in providing equitable healthcare access for all Australians regardless of socioeconomic status. The universal healthcare system ensures emergency treatment, specialist referrals, and prescription medications remain affordable for the entire population. Evidence supporting effectiveness includes Australia’s high life expectancy rankings internationally and reduced mortality rates from treatable conditions. However, significant gaps exist in mental health and dental care funding, creating ongoing health inequities despite substantial investment.

Targeted Funding for Disadvantaged Groups

  • Indigenous health funding demonstrates substantial progress through programs like Close the Gap, which specifically address health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dedicated funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services provides culturally appropriate care and shows measurable improvements in immunisation rates and chronic disease management. Aged care funding through programs like My Aged Care enables elderly Australians to remain in their homes longer, reducing hospital admission rates and improving quality of life.
    Disability support funding via the NDIS produces significant outcomes by providing individualised support packages that address both health and social determinants. This targeted approach demonstrates how funding allocation based on specific population needs creates sustainable health improvements rather than generic solutions.

Prevention and Health Promotion Principles

  • Preventative funding aligns with effective health promotion principles by addressing multiple determinants of health simultaneously. Immunisation programs exemplify the Ottawa Charter principle of developing personal skills while creating supportive environments through school-based delivery. Cancer screening funding demonstrates the principle of reorienting health services from treatment to prevention, resulting in earlier detection and improved survival rates.
  • Tobacco control funding successfully applies multiple health promotion strategies including policy development through taxation, community action through quit campaigns, and creating supportive environments in workplaces. This comprehensive approach produces measurable population health improvements with smoking rates declining from 24% to 11% over two decades.

Overall Assessment

  • Assessment reveals highly effective outcomes when funding addresses specific population needs and applies evidence-based health promotion principles. The greatest success occurs where funding combines universal access with targeted support for disadvantaged groups, demonstrating optimal resource allocation strategies.
Show Worked Solution

Assessment Statement

  • Government funding demonstrates highly effective outcomes in improving Australian health status through universal healthcare access, targeted support for disadvantaged groups, and evidence-based resource allocation. Effectiveness varies across different health areas and population groups.

Healthcare Infrastructure and Universal Access

  • Medicare funding achieves excellent results in providing equitable healthcare access for all Australians regardless of socioeconomic status. The universal healthcare system ensures emergency treatment, specialist referrals, and prescription medications remain affordable for the entire population. Evidence supporting effectiveness includes Australia’s high life expectancy rankings internationally and reduced mortality rates from treatable conditions. However, significant gaps exist in mental health and dental care funding, creating ongoing health inequities despite substantial investment.

Targeted Funding for Disadvantaged Groups

  • Indigenous health funding demonstrates substantial progress through programs like Close the Gap, which specifically address health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dedicated funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services provides culturally appropriate care and shows measurable improvements in immunisation rates and chronic disease management. Aged care funding through programs like My Aged Care enables elderly Australians to remain in their homes longer, reducing hospital admission rates and improving quality of life.
    Disability support funding via the NDIS produces significant outcomes by providing individualised support packages that address both health and social determinants. This targeted approach demonstrates how funding allocation based on specific population needs creates sustainable health improvements rather than generic solutions.

Prevention and Health Promotion Principles

  • Preventative funding aligns with effective health promotion principles by addressing multiple determinants of health simultaneously. Immunisation programs exemplify the Ottawa Charter principle of developing personal skills while creating supportive environments through school-based delivery. Cancer screening funding demonstrates the principle of reorienting health services from treatment to prevention, resulting in earlier detection and improved survival rates.
  • Tobacco control funding successfully applies multiple health promotion strategies including policy development through taxation, community action through quit campaigns, and creating supportive environments in workplaces. This comprehensive approach produces measurable population health improvements with smoking rates declining from 24% to 11% over two decades.

Overall Assessment

  • Assessment reveals highly effective outcomes when funding addresses specific population needs and applies evidence-based health promotion principles. The greatest success occurs where funding combines universal access with targeted support for disadvantaged groups, demonstrating optimal resource allocation strategies.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 31a

Explain how enabling, mediating and advocating actions can make sustainable improvements for disadvantaged groups.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Enabling actions directly empower disadvantaged groups to take control over factors affecting their health outcomes. These approaches work by building community capacity and addressing equity principles of participation and access. Empowerment becomes essential because disadvantaged groups often lack decision-making power in traditional healthcare models. For instance, when Aboriginal health workers deliver culturally appropriate health education within their communities, participation rates increase significantly. This demonstrates why community-led initiatives create sustainable change by ensuring equal access to health information and respecting cultural rights.
  • Mediating actions create collaborative partnerships that address power imbalances between different sectors. The process involves bringing together government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organisations to ensure disadvantaged voices are heard in decision-making. Empowerment occurs through shared responsibility and resource allocation. Evidence of this includes the Close the Gap campaign which provides Indigenous communities with equal participation in policy development. Such collaboration leads to more effective resource allocation because disadvantaged groups help identify their specific needs and priorities.
  • Advocating actions generate systemic policy changes that challenge structural inequities and redistribute power. Advocacy works by amplifying disadvantaged voices to demand equal rights and access to healthcare services. Empowerment becomes sustainable when advocacy creates lasting policy frameworks that protect vulnerable populations. A clear example is disability advocacy organisations successfully campaigning for legislative changes in healthcare accessibility. These efforts result in permanent improvements to equity because they address root causes of disadvantage rather than temporary symptom management.
Show Worked Solution
  • Enabling actions directly empower disadvantaged groups to take control over factors affecting their health outcomes. These approaches work by building community capacity and addressing equity principles of participation and access. Empowerment becomes essential because disadvantaged groups often lack decision-making power in traditional healthcare models. For instance, when Aboriginal health workers deliver culturally appropriate health education within their communities, participation rates increase significantly. This demonstrates why community-led initiatives create sustainable change by ensuring equal access to health information and respecting cultural rights.
  • Mediating actions create collaborative partnerships that address power imbalances between different sectors. The process involves bringing together government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organisations to ensure disadvantaged voices are heard in decision-making. Empowerment occurs through shared responsibility and resource allocation. Evidence of this includes the Close the Gap campaign which provides Indigenous communities with equal participation in policy development. Such collaboration leads to more effective resource allocation because disadvantaged groups help identify their specific needs and priorities.
  • Advocating actions generate systemic policy changes that challenge structural inequities and redistribute power. Advocacy works by amplifying disadvantaged voices to demand equal rights and access to healthcare services. Empowerment becomes sustainable when advocacy creates lasting policy frameworks that protect vulnerable populations. A clear example is disability advocacy organisations successfully campaigning for legislative changes in healthcare accessibility. These efforts result in permanent improvements to equity because they address root causes of disadvantage rather than temporary symptom management.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, TIP 2017 HSC 29a

Explain how athletes in a range of different sports physically prepare to prevent injury.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Proper warm-up procedures directly reduce injury risk across all sporting activities. This occurs because gradual temperature elevation increases muscle elasticity and joint mobility. The warming process triggers enhanced blood flow to working muscles and improved neural activation. For instance, when basketball players perform dynamic stretching before games, they significantly decrease ankle sprain occurrence. This demonstrates why sport-specific warm-up movements prepare the body for competition demands.
  • Strength training generates muscular protection around vulnerable joint structures in different sports. This happens because stronger muscles provide better joint stability and shock absorption during impact. Progressive resistance work leads to improved bone density and connective tissue resilience. A clear example is rugby players developing neck and shoulder strength to withstand tackles safely. This explains why targeted strengthening reduces catastrophic injury rates in contact sports.
  • Flexibility training produces improved range of motion and reduced muscle tension. This works by maintaining optimal muscle length-tension relationships and joint mobility. Regular stretching prevents muscle imbalances that contribute to overuse injuries. Evidence of this includes swimmers performing shoulder mobility exercises to prevent impingement syndrome. Additionally, gymnasts use static and dynamic flexibility work to safely achieve extreme movement ranges.
  • Sport-specific conditioning ensures athletes develop fitness qualities matching their competitive demands. This preparation reduces fatigue-related injuries that occur when athletes cannot maintain proper technique under stress.

Show Worked Solution

  • Proper warm-up procedures directly reduce injury risk across all sporting activities. This occurs because gradual temperature elevation increases muscle elasticity and joint mobility. The warming process triggers enhanced blood flow to working muscles and improved neural activation. For instance, when basketball players perform dynamic stretching before games, they significantly decrease ankle sprain occurrence. This demonstrates why sport-specific warm-up movements prepare the body for competition demands.
  • Strength training generates muscular protection around vulnerable joint structures in different sports. This happens because stronger muscles provide better joint stability and shock absorption during impact. Progressive resistance work leads to improved bone density and connective tissue resilience. A clear example is rugby players developing neck and shoulder strength to withstand tackles safely. This explains why targeted strengthening reduces catastrophic injury rates in contact sports.
  • Flexibility training produces improved range of motion and reduced muscle tension. This works by maintaining optimal muscle length-tension relationships and joint mobility. Regular stretching prevents muscle imbalances that contribute to overuse injuries. Evidence of this includes swimmers performing shoulder mobility exercises to prevent impingement syndrome. Additionally, gymnasts use static and dynamic flexibility work to safely achieve extreme movement ranges.
  • Sport-specific conditioning ensures athletes develop fitness qualities matching their competitive demands. This preparation reduces fatigue-related injuries that occur when athletes cannot maintain proper technique under stress.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 27b

To what extent have government and non-government strategies targeting young people been effective in addressing major health issues?   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Judgment Statement

  • Government and non-government strategies have achieved moderate effectiveness in addressing major youth health issues. Success varies significantly across different health areas, with stronger outcomes in road safety than mental health and substance abuse.

Mental Health Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government Headspace centres demonstrate substantial success in providing accessible mental health services for young Australians aged 12-25. These federally-funded centres offer free counselling and psychiatric services with over 150 centres nationwide. However, limitations include long waiting lists and inadequate rural coverage creating geographical inequities.
  • Non-government R U OK? Day campaigns effectively raise awareness about mental health conversations and suicide prevention. This initiative successfully normalises mental health discussions across schools and communities. Yet sustainability challenges arise from volunteer dependency and inconsistent funding streams.

Road Safety Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government P-plate restrictions prove highly effective in reducing youth road fatalities through passenger limits, speed restrictions and zero BAC requirements. These legislative measures have significantly decreased young driver death rates since implementation. Additional government initiatives like Plan B campaigns provide clear messaging about drink-driving consequences.
  • Non-government programs like RYDA demonstrate strong effectiveness in rural areas where road fatalities are highest. These Rotary-funded programs increase education about issues including fatigue and risk-taking behaviours. Community-based approaches also successfully target local issues with culturally relevant messaging.

Substance Abuse Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government school-based drug education shows mixed results due to inconsistent implementation across different educational settings. On the other hand, non-government community-based education programs often achieve better youth engagement through peer-to-peer approaches and locally relevant messaging.

Reaffirmation

  • Overall assessment reveals moderate effectiveness with government strategies stronger in legislative areas like road safety, while non-government initiatives excel in community engagement and awareness-raising across multiple health issues.

Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • Government and non-government strategies have achieved moderate effectiveness in addressing major youth health issues. Success varies significantly across different health areas, with stronger outcomes in road safety than mental health and substance abuse.

Mental Health Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government Headspace centres demonstrate substantial success in providing accessible mental health services for young Australians aged 12-25. These federally-funded centres offer free counselling and psychiatric services with over 150 centres nationwide. However, limitations include long waiting lists and inadequate rural coverage creating geographical inequities.
  • Non-government R U OK? Day campaigns effectively raise awareness about mental health conversations and suicide prevention. This initiative successfully normalises mental health discussions across schools and communities. Yet sustainability challenges arise from volunteer dependency and inconsistent funding streams.

Road Safety Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government P-plate restrictions prove highly effective in reducing youth road fatalities through passenger limits, speed restrictions and zero BAC requirements. These legislative measures have significantly decreased young driver death rates since implementation. Additional government initiatives like Plan B campaigns provide clear messaging about drink-driving consequences.
  • Non-government programs like RYDA demonstrate strong effectiveness in rural areas where road fatalities are highest. These Rotary-funded programs increase education about issues including fatigue and risk-taking behaviours. Community-based approaches also successfully target local issues with culturally relevant messaging.

Substance Abuse Strategy Effectiveness

  • Government school-based drug education shows mixed results due to inconsistent implementation across different educational settings. On the other hand, non-government community-based education programs often achieve better youth engagement through peer-to-peer approaches and locally relevant messaging.

Reaffirmation

  • Overall assessment reveals moderate effectiveness with government strategies stronger in legislative areas like road safety, while non-government initiatives excel in community engagement and awareness-raising across multiple health issues.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 27a

Explain the determinants of ONE major health issue that affects young people.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Health Issue: Mental Health Issues in Young People

  • Socioeconomic determinants directly influence mental health outcomes amongst young Australians. This occurs because family income affects access to mental health services and educational opportunities. Low socioeconomic status leads to increased stress, housing instability, and reduced healthcare access. For instance, when families cannot afford private psychology sessions, young people rely on overstretched public services. This demonstrates why disadvantaged youth experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than their affluent peers.
  • Social media and technology create significant environmental pressures on young people’s mental wellbeing. This happens because constant online comparison and cyberbullying increase psychological distress. These platforms trigger feelings of inadequacy and social isolation amongst adolescents. Evidence of this includes research showing increased depression rates correlating with social media usage time. The result is young people experiencing body image issues and reduced self-esteem from unrealistic online portrayals.
  • Academic pressure generates substantial stress-related mental health problems in students. This works by creating intense competition for university places and career opportunities. Consequently, many young people develop anxiety disorders and burnout symptoms. A clear example is HSC students experiencing panic attacks during examination periods. This explains why perfectionist tendencies and fear of failure contribute significantly to youth mental health crises in Australia.

Show Worked Solution

Health Issue: Mental Health Issues in Young People

  • Socioeconomic determinants directly influence mental health outcomes amongst young Australians. This occurs because family income affects access to mental health services and educational opportunities. Low socioeconomic status leads to increased stress, housing instability, and reduced healthcare access. For instance, when families cannot afford private psychology sessions, young people rely on overstretched public services. This demonstrates why disadvantaged youth experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than their affluent peers.
  • Social media and technology create significant environmental pressures on young people’s mental wellbeing. This happens because constant online comparison and cyberbullying increase psychological distress. These platforms trigger feelings of inadequacy and social isolation amongst adolescents. Evidence of this includes research showing increased depression rates correlating with social media usage time. The result is young people experiencing body image issues and reduced self-esteem from unrealistic online portrayals.
  • Academic pressure generates substantial stress-related mental health problems in students. This works by creating intense competition for university places and career opportunities. Consequently, many young people develop anxiety disorders and burnout symptoms. A clear example is HSC students experiencing panic attacks during examination periods. This explains why perfectionist tendencies and fear of failure contribute significantly to youth mental health crises in Australia.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, TIP 2017 HSC 26

Explain the physiological adaptations an individual develops in response to the different principles of training. Use examples to support your answer.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Progressive overload directly triggers cardiovascular adaptations in trained athletes. This occurs because gradually increasing training intensity forces the heart to work harder over time. As a result, stroke volume increases as the heart becomes stronger and pumps more blood per beat. For instance, when a cyclist progressively increases weekly mileage, their resting heart rate decreases significantly. This demonstrates why endurance athletes develop enlarged left ventricles and improved cardiac efficiency.
  • The principle of specificity generates targeted muscular adaptations based on training type performed. This happens because muscles adapt specifically to the demands placed upon them during exercise. Consequently, resistance training causes muscle hypertrophy whilst endurance training increases mitochondrial density. A clear example is powerlifters developing increased fast-twitch muscle fibres for explosive movements. In contrast, marathon runners develop enhanced slow-twitch fibres for sustained aerobic performance.
  • Training thresholds produce specific metabolic adaptations when athletes train at appropriate intensities. This works by challenging energy systems at their optimal training zones for maximum adaptation. Therefore, training above the anaerobic threshold improves lactate buffering capacity and tolerance. Evidence of this includes sprint athletes who can maintain higher lactate concentrations without performance decline. This explains why proper intensity prescription maximises physiological improvements.

Show Worked Solution

  • Progressive overload directly triggers cardiovascular adaptations in trained athletes. This occurs because gradually increasing training intensity forces the heart to work harder over time. As a result, stroke volume increases as the heart becomes stronger and pumps more blood per beat. For instance, when a cyclist progressively increases weekly mileage, their resting heart rate decreases significantly. This demonstrates why endurance athletes develop enlarged left ventricles and improved cardiac efficiency.
  • The principle of specificity generates targeted muscular adaptations based on training type performed. This happens because muscles adapt specifically to the demands placed upon them during exercise. Consequently, resistance training causes muscle hypertrophy whilst endurance training increases mitochondrial density. A clear example is powerlifters developing increased fast-twitch muscle fibres for explosive movements. In contrast, marathon runners develop enhanced slow-twitch fibres for sustained aerobic performance.
  • Training thresholds produce specific metabolic adaptations when athletes train at appropriate intensities. This works by challenging energy systems at their optimal training zones for maximum adaptation. Therefore, training above the anaerobic threshold improves lactate buffering capacity and tolerance. Evidence of this includes sprint athletes who can maintain higher lactate concentrations without performance decline. This explains why proper intensity prescription maximises physiological improvements.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 43%.

HMS, BM 2017 HSC 25

Compare TWO different energy systems by exploring their duration, sources of fuel and causes of fatigue. Use examples to support your answer.   (7 marks)

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Energy Systems Being Compared:

  • ATP-PCr System (Phosphocreatine System)
  • Aerobic System (Oxidative System)

Similarities

  • Both energy systems produce ATP to fuel muscle contractions during exercise activities. They work together seamlessly during most physical activities to meet energy demands.
  • Both systems can operate without requiring external oxygen supply from the respiratory system. This allows immediate energy production when exercise begins before breathing rate increases.

Differences – Duration

  • The ATP-PCr system operates for very short durations of 10-15 seconds maximum. This occurs because stored ATP and creatine phosphate supplies are limited in muscle cells.
  • The aerobic system functions for hours or even days. This happens because oxygen allows continuous fuel breakdown without harmful byproduct accumulation.

Differences – Fuel Sources

  • The ATP-PCr system sources fuel from stored ATP and creatine phosphate already present in muscles. This enables immediate energy release without requiring glucose breakdown.
  • The aerobic system utilises carbohydrates, fats and proteins as fuel sources.  This process requires oxygen to completely break down these substrates.

Differences – Causes of Fatigue

  • Fatigue in the ATP-PCr system results from depletion of stored phosphocreatine reserves. For instance, a weightlifter cannot continue once stores are exhausted.
  • Aerobic system fatigue occurs due to fuel depletion or oxygen limitations. Marathon runners experience this when glycogen stores become depleted.
Show Worked Solution

Energy Systems Being Compared:

  • ATP-PCr System (Phosphocreatine System)
  • Aerobic System (Oxidative System)

Similarities

  • Both energy systems produce ATP to fuel muscle contractions during exercise activities. They work together seamlessly during most physical activities to meet energy demands.
  • Both systems can operate without requiring external oxygen supply from the respiratory system. This allows immediate energy production when exercise begins before breathing rate increases.

Differences – Duration

  • The ATP-PCr system operates for very short durations of 10-15 seconds maximum. This occurs because stored ATP and creatine phosphate supplies are limited in muscle cells.
  • The aerobic system functions for hours or even days. This happens because oxygen allows continuous fuel breakdown without harmful byproduct accumulation.

Differences – Fuel Sources

  • The ATP-PCr system sources fuel from stored ATP and creatine phosphate already present in muscles. This enables immediate energy release without requiring glucose breakdown.
  • The aerobic system utilises carbohydrates, fats and proteins as fuel sources.  This process requires oxygen to completely break down these substrates.

Differences – Causes of Fatigue

  • Fatigue in the ATP-PCr system results from depletion of stored phosphocreatine reserves. For instance, a weightlifter cannot continue once stores are exhausted.
  • Aerobic system fatigue occurs due to fuel depletion or oxygen limitations. Marathon runners experience this when glycogen stores become depleted.

♦♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, TIP 2017 HSC 24

Using examples, explain how specific vitamins and/or minerals affect athletic performance.   (5 marks)

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  • Iron deficiency directly causes reduced oxygen transport capacity in athletes. This occurs because iron forms the core of haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. When iron levels are low, this leads to decreased oxygen delivery to working muscles. For instance, when a distance runner develops iron deficiency anaemia, they experience premature fatigue. This happens because their muscles receive insufficient oxygen for aerobic energy production.
  • Calcium directly influences bone density and muscle contraction in athletic performance. This mineral works by strengthening bone structure and enabling proper muscle function. Low calcium levels trigger increased risk of stress fractures. A clear example is female gymnasts who consume inadequate calcium often develop bone injuries during training.
  • Vitamin D generates improved calcium absorption and muscle function in athletes. This vitamin functions through enhancing calcium uptake in the intestines. Deficiency consequently results in muscle weakness and increased injury risk. This can be seen when indoor athletes with limited sun exposure show reduced power output.

Show Worked Solution

  • Iron deficiency directly causes reduced oxygen transport capacity in athletes. This occurs because iron forms the core of haemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. When iron levels are low, this leads to decreased oxygen delivery to working muscles. For instance, when a distance runner develops iron deficiency anaemia, they experience premature fatigue. This happens because their muscles receive insufficient oxygen for aerobic energy production.
  • Calcium directly influences bone density and muscle contraction in athletic performance. This mineral works by strengthening bone structure and enabling proper muscle function. Low calcium levels trigger increased risk of stress fractures. A clear example is female gymnasts who consume inadequate calcium often develop bone injuries during training.
  • Vitamin D generates improved calcium absorption and muscle function in athletes. This vitamin functions through enhancing calcium uptake in the intestines. Deficiency consequently results in muscle weakness and increased injury risk. This can be seen when indoor athletes with limited sun exposure show reduced power output.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 40%.

HMS, HAG 2017 HSC 23

To what extent does Australia’s health care system benefit from having a healthy ageing population?   (8 marks)

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Judgment Statement

  • Australia’s healthcare system benefits to a significant extent from healthy ageing populations through reduced service demand and enhanced community contributions.

Healthcare Cost Reduction

  • A healthy ageing population substantially reduces healthcare expenditure and resource demands across multiple service areas.
  • Older Australians who maintain good physical and mental health require fewer hospitalisations, emergency department visits and specialist consultations.
  • For example, seniors who engage in regular physical activity experience lower rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
  • This demonstrates strong benefits for healthcare sustainability as prevention reduces costly treatment interventions.
  • Healthy ageing decreases pharmaceutical expenditure and long-term care facility utilisation. 
  • Evidence shows significant advantages through reduced burden on Medicare and public hospital systems.

Community Workforce Contributions

  • Healthy older Australians provide considerable value to healthcare and community sectors through volunteer work and informal caregiving.
  • Many healthy seniors contribute thousands of hours annually to organisations like hospital auxiliaries and community transport services.
  • This demonstrates substantial effectiveness in supplementing formal healthcare workforce capacity.
  • For example, volunteer drivers enable rural patients to access medical appointments, while peer support programs help manage chronic conditions.
  • However, this benefit shows limitations when considering that not all older adults can participate equally due to varying health status.

Reaffirmation

  • Overall assessment confirms significant benefits from healthy ageing populations for Australia’s healthcare system.
  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports major advantages through reduced healthcare costs and valuable community contributions.
  • While some limitations exist in universal participation, the substantial positive impacts clearly demonstrate that investing in healthy ageing strategies provides excellent returns for healthcare system sustainability.

Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • Australia’s healthcare system benefits to a significant extent from healthy ageing populations through reduced service demand and enhanced community contributions.

Healthcare Cost Reduction

  • A healthy ageing population substantially reduces healthcare expenditure and resource demands across multiple service areas.
  • Older Australians who maintain good physical and mental health require fewer hospitalisations, emergency department visits and specialist consultations.
  • For example, seniors who engage in regular physical activity experience lower rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
  • This demonstrates strong benefits for healthcare sustainability as prevention reduces costly treatment interventions.
  • Healthy ageing decreases pharmaceutical expenditure and long-term care facility utilisation. 
  • Evidence shows significant advantages through reduced burden on Medicare and public hospital systems.

Community Workforce Contributions

  • Healthy older Australians provide considerable value to healthcare and community sectors through volunteer work and informal caregiving.
  • Many healthy seniors contribute thousands of hours annually to organisations like hospital auxiliaries and community transport services.
  • This demonstrates substantial effectiveness in supplementing formal healthcare workforce capacity.
  • For example, volunteer drivers enable rural patients to access medical appointments, while peer support programs help manage chronic conditions.
  • However, this benefit shows limitations when considering that not all older adults can participate equally due to varying health status.

Reaffirmation

  • Overall assessment confirms significant benefits from healthy ageing populations for Australia’s healthcare system.
  • The evidence overwhelmingly supports major advantages through reduced healthcare costs and valuable community contributions.
  • While some limitations exist in universal participation, the substantial positive impacts clearly demonstrate that investing in healthy ageing strategies provides excellent returns for healthcare system sustainability.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, HAG 2017 HSC 22

Explain both the risk factors and the protective factors of cardiovascular disease.   (5 marks)

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  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors include modifiable and non-modifiable elements. This occurs because genetic predisposition and age cannot be changed but create increased susceptibility. For example, family history of heart disease increases individual risk through inherited genetic factors. Additionally, smoking damages arterial walls and reduces oxygen delivery to heart muscle. High blood pressure causes arterial stress and atherosclerosis development. Consequently, obesity leads to increased cardiac workload and metabolic dysfunction.
  • Protective factors help to prevent cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modifications. This happens when regular physical activity strengthens heart muscle and improves circulation efficiency. For instance, aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure and increases HDL cholesterol levels. Healthy diet patterns provide essential nutrients while limiting saturated fats and sodium intake. Therefore, Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health. Furthermore, avoiding tobacco use prevents arterial damage and maintains optimal blood flow. The reason for this is protective behaviours counteract the biological processes that lead to cardiovascular disease development.
Show Worked Solution
  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors include modifiable and non-modifiable elements. This occurs because genetic predisposition and age cannot be changed but create increased susceptibility. For example, family history of heart disease increases individual risk through inherited genetic factors. Additionally, smoking damages arterial walls and reduces oxygen delivery to heart muscle. High blood pressure causes arterial stress and atherosclerosis development. Consequently, obesity leads to increased cardiac workload and metabolic dysfunction.
  • Protective factors help to prevent cardiovascular disease through lifestyle modifications. This happens when regular physical activity strengthens heart muscle and improves circulation efficiency. For instance, aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure and increases HDL cholesterol levels. Healthy diet patterns provide essential nutrients while limiting saturated fats and sodium intake. Therefore, Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health. Furthermore, avoiding tobacco use prevents arterial damage and maintains optimal blood flow. The reason for this is protective behaviours counteract the biological processes that lead to cardiovascular disease development.

♦♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 21

  1. Outline the measures of epidemiology.   (3 marks)

  2. Describe the limitations of epidemiology.   (4 marks)

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a.   Measures of epidemiology

  • Mortality measures death rates within populations over specific time periods.
  • Morbidity measures illness and disease rates, including incidence and prevalence.
  • Infant mortality measures deaths of children under one year per 1,000 live births.
  • Life expectancy measures average expected lifespan based on current death rates.
  • Incidence measures new cases of disease occurring during specific time periods.
  • Prevalence measures total cases of disease existing at particular points in time.

b.    Epidemiology limitations

  • Epidemiology provides statistical patterns but cannot explain underlying causes of health behaviours.
  • Data collection may be incomplete or inaccurate, particularly in remote communities.
  • Emergency situations can prevent adequate data gathering and timely analysis.
  • Epidemiology focuses on population trends rather than individual health experiences.
  • Rapid health changes may make data outdated before analysis is completed.
  • Cultural and social factors influencing health are not captured by statistical measures.
  • Epidemiology cannot account for quality of life or subjective wellbeing indicators.
Show Worked Solution

a.   Measures of epidemiology

  • Mortality measures death rates within populations over specific time periods.
  • Morbidity measures illness and disease rates, including incidence and prevalence.
  • Infant mortality measures deaths of children under one year per 1,000 live births.
  • Life expectancy measures average expected lifespan based on current death rates.
  • Incidence measures new cases of disease occurring during specific time periods.
  • Prevalence measures total cases of disease existing at particular points in time.

b.    Epidemiology limitations

  • Epidemiology provides statistical patterns but cannot explain underlying causes of health behaviours.
  • Data collection may be incomplete or inaccurate, particularly in remote communities.
  • Emergency situations can prevent adequate data gathering and timely analysis.
  • Epidemiology focuses on population trends rather than individual health experiences.
  • Rapid health changes may make data outdated before analysis is completed.
  • Cultural and social factors influencing health are not captured by statistical measures.
  • Epidemiology cannot account for quality of life or subjective wellbeing indicators.

♦♦ Mean mark 53%.

HMS, BM 2017 HSC 17 MC

Which group of skills is best learned using a massed practice approach?

  1. Skills learned in an open environment
  2. Skills with a distinct beginning and end in the learning routine
  3. Skills requiring extensive external feedback during each learning phase
  4. Skills requiring a high degree of coordination in order to be learned effectively
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution

  • B is correct: Discrete skills with clear beginning and end benefit from massed practice.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Open environment skills benefit more from distributed practice for adaptation.
  • C is incorrect: Skills needing extensive feedback require distributed practice for processing time.
  • D is incorrect: Complex coordination skills benefit from distributed practice to avoid fatigue

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 16 MC

A health promotion initiative educates doctors to refer mental health patients to a social support group.

Which area of the Ottawa Charter does this represent?

  1. Developing personal skills
  2. Reorienting health services
  3. Strengthening community action
  4. Creating supportive environments
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Reorienting health services involves changing how healthcare providers deliver care.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Developing personal skills focuses on individual education, not provider training.
  • C is incorrect: Strengthening community action involves community-led initiatives, not provider education.
  • D is incorrect: Creating supportive environments involves physical or policy changes, not service delivery.

♦♦ Mean mark 41%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 12 MC

Two images of blood flow are shown.

Image \(A\) represents healthy blood flow.

What condition does Image \(B\) represent?

  1. Arteriosclerosis
  2. Atherosclerosis
  3. Low blood pressure
  4. Low cholesterol levels
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution

  • B is correct: Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup narrowing arteries, contrasting with healthy blood flow.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Arteriosclerosis involves artery hardening, not necessarily visible narrowing.
  • C is incorrect: Low blood pressure is a measurement, not a structural blood vessel condition.
  • D is incorrect: Low cholesterol levels are protective, not a disease condition shown in images.

♦♦ Mean mark 46%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 32b

Population groups experiencing health inequities can often be exposed to multiple risk factors.

Analyse the implications of multiple risk factors in managing health inequities faced by population groups.   (12 marks)

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Overview Statement

  • Multiple risk factors create complex interactions that exacerbate health inequities for vulnerable populations.
  • These interconnected determinants require comprehensive management approaches that address root causes rather than individual symptoms, as single-factor interventions prove inadequate for sustainable change.

Component Relationship 1

  • Socioeconomic and environmental factors interact to reinforce each other to worsen health outcomes for disadvantaged groups through cascading effects.
  • Low income connects to poor housing conditions, which influences exposure to environmental hazards, overcrowding and chronic stress.
    For example, homeless populations experience combined effects of financial insecurity, inadequate shelter, limited healthcare access, and social isolation.
  • This relationship demonstrates how poverty leads to substandard living conditions that can enable infectious disease transmission, respiratory problems and mental health deterioration.
  • Poor nutrition results in part from limited income, which affects immune function and chronic disease development.
  • The significance is that addressing only housing or income provides limited improvement because other interconnected risks continue to undermine overall health status and create ongoing vulnerability.

Component Relationship 2

  • Social and cultural determinants interact with healthcare access barriers to create compounding disadvantages that perpetuate health inequities.
  • Indigenous Australians face multiple interacting challenges including geographic isolation, cultural barriers, historical trauma and systemic discrimination.
  • This pattern shows how racism in healthcare settings connects to reduced help-seeking behaviour, which results in delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and preventable complications.
  • Language barriers combine with cultural misunderstanding to create communication breakdowns between patients and providers. The trend indicates that cultural incompetence among healthcare providers affects trust levels, which depends on community experiences of discrimination and historical injustices.
  • Consequently, these interconnected factors create cycles where poor health outcomes reinforce social disadvantage and community mistrust of health services.

Implications and Synthesis

  • Management strategies must address multiple determinants simultaneously because isolated interventions fail to break complex disadvantage cycles that maintain health inequities.
  • The broader implications show that effective programs require coordinated approaches across housing, employment, education and healthcare sectors with sustained funding and community partnership.
  • This means that successful interventions involve community-led solutions that tackle structural inequalities while building cultural competence in service delivery systems and creating supportive policy frameworks.

Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement

  • Multiple risk factors create complex interactions that exacerbate health inequities for vulnerable populations.
  • These interconnected determinants require comprehensive management approaches that address root causes rather than individual symptoms, as single-factor interventions prove inadequate for sustainable change.

Component Relationship 1

  • Socioeconomic and environmental factors interact to reinforce each other to worsen health outcomes for disadvantaged groups through cascading effects.
  • Low income connects to poor housing conditions, which influences exposure to environmental hazards, overcrowding and chronic stress.
  • For example, homeless populations experience combined effects of financial insecurity, inadequate shelter, limited healthcare access, and social isolation.
  • This relationship demonstrates how poverty leads to substandard living conditions that can enable infectious disease transmission, respiratory problems and mental health deterioration.
  • Poor nutrition results in part from limited income, which affects immune function and chronic disease development.
  • The significance is that addressing only housing or income provides limited improvement because other interconnected risks continue to undermine overall health status and create ongoing vulnerability.

Component Relationship 2

  • Social and cultural determinants interact with healthcare access barriers to create compounding disadvantages that perpetuate health inequities.
  • Indigenous Australians face multiple interacting challenges including geographic isolation, cultural barriers, historical trauma and systemic discrimination.
  • This pattern shows how racism in healthcare settings connects to reduced help-seeking behaviour, which results in delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and preventable complications.
  • Language barriers combine with cultural misunderstanding to create communication breakdowns between patients and providers. The trend indicates that cultural incompetence among healthcare providers affects trust levels, which depends on community experiences of discrimination and historical injustices.
  • Consequently, these interconnected factors create cycles where poor health outcomes reinforce social disadvantage and community mistrust of health services.

Implications and Synthesis

  • Management strategies must address multiple determinants simultaneously because isolated interventions fail to break complex disadvantage cycles that maintain health inequities.
  • The broader implications show that effective programs require coordinated approaches across housing, employment, education and healthcare sectors with sustained funding and community partnership.
  • This means that successful interventions involve community-led solutions that tackle structural inequalities while building cultural competence in service delivery systems and creating supportive policy frameworks.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 40%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 32a

Explain how implementing economic and cultural change supports a population experiencing health inequity.   (8 marks)

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  • Economic changes support populations experiencing health inequity because improved financial resources enable better access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices. This occurs because economic disadvantage creates barriers to accessing medical services, nutritious food and safe housing.
    For example, increasing minimum wages and providing employment opportunities enables low-income families to afford preventive healthcare and quality food. This leads to reduced financial stress and improved capacity to make healthy choices.
    Additionally, government investment in affordable housing programs creates stable living environments that support better health outcomes. The reason for this is secure housing reduces exposure to environmental health risks and provides a foundation for accessing education and employment.
  • Cultural changes address health inequities because they challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices that prevent equal access to healthcare. This happens when healthcare providers receive cultural competency training to better understand diverse populations’ needs.
    For instance, implementing culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples results in increased trust and participation in health programs.
    Consequently, this produces higher rates of preventive care utilisation and better health outcomes.
    Furthermore, community education campaigns that reduce stigma around mental health facilitate greater help-seeking behaviour among affected populations.
  • Therefore, combined economic and cultural interventions create comprehensive support systems that address both structural barriers and social attitudes. This process ensures sustainable improvements in health equity across different population groups.

Show Worked Solution

  • Economic changes support populations experiencing health inequity because improved financial resources enable better access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices. This occurs because economic disadvantage creates barriers to accessing medical services, nutritious food and safe housing.
    For example, increasing minimum wages and providing employment opportunities enables low-income families to afford preventive healthcare and quality food. This leads to reduced financial stress and improved capacity to make healthy choices.
    Additionally, government investment in affordable housing programs creates stable living environments that support better health outcomes. The reason for this is secure housing reduces exposure to environmental health risks and provides a foundation for accessing education and employment.
  • Cultural changes address health inequities because they challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices that prevent equal access to healthcare. This happens when healthcare providers receive cultural competency training to better understand diverse populations’ needs.
    For instance, implementing culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples results in increased trust and participation in health programs.
    Consequently, this produces higher rates of preventive care utilisation and better health outcomes.
    Furthermore, community education campaigns that reduce stigma around mental health facilitate greater help-seeking behaviour among affected populations.
  • Therefore, combined economic and cultural interventions create comprehensive support systems that address both structural barriers and social attitudes. This process ensures sustainable improvements in health equity across different population groups.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS,TIP 2018 HSC 30a

An athlete running a 400-metre race experiences a hamstring strain in the sprint towards the finish line.

Explain the classification and management of the athlete’s injury.   (8 marks)

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  • The hamstring strain is classified as an indirect, soft tissue, acute injury because the damage occurs from internal forces within the athlete’s body. This occurs because the hamstring muscle experiences excessive tension during the high-intensity sprint phase. The reason for this is the muscle cannot cope with the explosive demands, resulting in muscle fibres tearing. This demonstrates an indirect injury pattern where no external contact causes the damage.
  • Immediate management follows the RICER protocol because this approach minimises secondary tissue damage and inflammation. For example, rest involves immediately stopping activity to prevent further muscle tearing. Ice application for 15-20 minutes every hour helps to reduce pain, swelling and metabolic demands of damaged tissues. This leads to vasoconstriction that limits bleeding within the muscle. Compression using elastic bandaging creates external pressure that supports damaged tissues and reduces swelling. Consequently, elevation of the injured leg above heart level facilitates venous return and reduces fluid accumulation.
  • Referral to medical professionals is essential because accurate diagnosis determines appropriate treatment progression. This process ensures that the severity of the strain is properly assessed using clinical tests or imaging. For instance, a physiotherapist can determine if the injury is Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate) or Grade 3 (severe) which then guides rehabilitation timeframes and return-to-play decisions. Therefore, proper medical assessment prevents complications and ensures safe recovery.

Show Worked Solution

  • The hamstring strain is classified as an indirect, soft tissue, acute injury because the damage occurs from internal forces within the athlete’s body. This occurs because the hamstring muscle experiences excessive tension during the high-intensity sprint phase. The reason for this is the muscle cannot cope with the explosive demands, resulting in muscle fibres tearing. This demonstrates an indirect injury pattern where no external contact causes the damage.
  • Immediate management follows the RICER protocol because this approach minimises secondary tissue damage and inflammation. For example, rest involves immediately stopping activity to prevent further muscle tearing. Ice application for 15-20 minutes every hour helps to reduce pain, swelling and metabolic demands of damaged tissues. This leads to vasoconstriction that limits bleeding within the muscle. Compression using elastic bandaging creates external pressure that supports damaged tissues and reduces swelling. Consequently, elevation of the injured leg above heart level facilitates venous return and reduces fluid accumulation.
  • Referral to medical professionals is essential because accurate diagnosis determines appropriate treatment progression. This process ensures that the severity of the strain is properly assessed using clinical tests or imaging. For instance, a physiotherapist can determine if the injury is Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate) or Grade 3 (severe) which then guides rehabilitation timeframes and return-to-play decisions. Therefore, proper medical assessment prevents complications and ensures safe recovery.

♦♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, HIC 2018 HSC 28b

Evaluate actions that have been implemented to support young people who are most at risk of ONE major health issue.   (12 marks)

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Evaluation Statement:

  • Actions implemented to support young people at risk of mental health issues demonstrate moderate effectiveness.
  • Community-based programs show strong results while school-based interventions reveal limited long-term impact.

Community-Based Programs

  • Headspace centres provide highly effective support for young people aged 12-25 experiencing mental health difficulties. These services offer accessible counselling, psychiatry, and peer support in youth-friendly environments located in shopping centres and community hubs. The program demonstrates strong effectiveness through early intervention approaches and integrated service delivery covering mental health, physical health, work and study support.
  • For example, Headspace provides online support and eHeadspace chat services, reaching young people who cannot access physical centres.
  • Statistics show significant improvements in help-seeking behaviours among participants, with reduced hospitalisation rates and improved educational outcomes.
  • The program also offers family and carer support, recognising the importance of support networks. However, limited availability in rural areas reduces overall program reach, with many regional young people unable to access face-to-face services.

School-Based Mental Health Programs

  • School counselling services and mental health literacy programs show partial effectiveness in supporting at-risk young people through prevention and early identification.
  • Programs like MindMatters and KidsMatter provide comprehensive teacher training and student education about mental health awareness, resilience building and help-seeking strategies. These initiatives adequately address prevention by creating supportive school environments and reducing mental health stigma among students and staff.
  • School-based programs reach large numbers of young people in familiar settings, making mental health support more normalised. However, evidence indicates limited success in providing intensive support for severely affected students requiring specialist intervention.
  • Many schools lack qualified mental health professionals, relying instead on general counsellors who may not have specialised training in youth mental health. This creates significant gaps in service delivery, follow-up care, and crisis intervention capacity.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall assessment shows moderate effectiveness in supporting at-risk young people with mental health issues.
  • Community programs like Headspace demonstrate superior outcomes through specialised services, youth-centred approaches, and comprehensive support addressing multiple life domains.
  • School-based programs provide valuable prevention and awareness but show limitations in intensive intervention capacity and specialist expertise.
  • Weighing these factors reveals that combined approaches achieve better results, with schools identifying at-risk students and referring to specialist community services. However, geographic inequities, funding constraints, and workforce shortages limit optimal effectiveness for all at-risk populations, particularly those in rural and remote areas.
Show Worked Solution

Evaluation Statement:

  • Actions implemented to support young people at risk of mental health issues demonstrate moderate effectiveness.
  • Community-based programs show strong results while school-based interventions reveal limited long-term impact.

Community-Based Programs

  • Headspace centres provide highly effective support for young people aged 12-25 experiencing mental health difficulties. These services offer accessible counselling, psychiatry, and peer support in youth-friendly environments located in shopping centres and community hubs. The program demonstrates strong effectiveness through early intervention approaches and integrated service delivery covering mental health, physical health, work and study support.
  • For example, Headspace provides online support and eHeadspace chat services, reaching young people who cannot access physical centres.
  • Statistics show significant improvements in help-seeking behaviours among participants, with reduced hospitalisation rates and improved educational outcomes.
  • The program also offers family and carer support, recognising the importance of support networks. However, limited availability in rural areas reduces overall program reach, with many regional young people unable to access face-to-face services.

School-Based Mental Health Programs

  • School counselling services and mental health literacy programs show partial effectiveness in supporting at-risk young people through prevention and early identification.
  • Programs like MindMatters and KidsMatter provide comprehensive teacher training and student education about mental health awareness, resilience building and help-seeking strategies. These initiatives adequately address prevention by creating supportive school environments and reducing mental health stigma among students and staff.
  • School-based programs reach large numbers of young people in familiar settings, making mental health support more normalised. However, evidence indicates limited success in providing intensive support for severely affected students requiring specialist intervention.
  • Many schools lack qualified mental health professionals, relying instead on general counsellors who may not have specialised training in youth mental health. This creates significant gaps in service delivery, follow-up care, and crisis intervention capacity.

Final Evaluation

  • Overall assessment shows moderate effectiveness in supporting at-risk young people with mental health issues.
  • Community programs like Headspace demonstrate superior outcomes through specialised services, youth-centred approaches, and comprehensive support addressing multiple life domains.
  • School-based programs provide valuable prevention and awareness but show limitations in intensive intervention capacity and specialist expertise.
  • Weighing these factors reveals that combined approaches achieve better results, with schools identifying at-risk students and referring to specialist community services. However, geographic inequities, funding constraints, and workforce shortages limit optimal effectiveness for all at-risk populations, particularly those in rural and remote areas.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.