SmarterEd

Aussie Maths & Science Teachers: Save your time with SmarterEd

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)

Show Answers Only

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)

Show Answers Only

  • 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)

Show Answers Only

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)

Show Answers Only
  • 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)

Show Answers Only

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
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

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
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

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
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

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)

Show Answers Only

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)

Show Answers Only

  • 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)

Show Answers Only

  • 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)

Show Answers Only

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%.

HMS, HIC 2018 HSC 28a

Explain how the changes that have occurred in the lives of young pee over recent generations have influenced their health status.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Technology changes have significantly influenced young people’s health status because digital devices now dominate daily activities. This occurs because social media and gaming create sedentary lifestyles that reduce physical activity levels. For example, young people spend hours on smartphones and computers instead of participating in outdoor sports. This leads to increased rates of obesity and decreased cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, excessive screen time causes disrupted sleep patterns and eye strain. The reason for this is blue light exposure interferes with natural circadian rhythms.
  • Social and family structure changes have affected mental health outcomes because modern family dynamics differ from previous generations. This happens when both parents work full-time, reducing family interaction time. For instance, many young people experience increased independence but less emotional support at home. Consequently, this creates higher anxiety levels and feelings of isolation. Furthermore, social media comparison results in body image concerns and self-esteem issues that were less prevalent in earlier generations.
  • Economic pressures have influenced health behaviours because the cost of living has increased substantially. This process ensures that many young people work part-time jobs while studying. For example, students often choose cheap, processed foods over nutritious meals due to time and financial constraints. Therefore, this generates poor dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies that affect physical development and academic performance.
Show Worked Solution
  • Technology changes have significantly influenced young people’s health status because digital devices now dominate daily activities. This occurs because social media and gaming create sedentary lifestyles that reduce physical activity levels. For example, young people spend hours on smartphones and computers instead of participating in outdoor sports. This leads to increased rates of obesity and decreased cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, excessive screen time causes disrupted sleep patterns and eye strain. The reason for this is blue light exposure interferes with natural circadian rhythms.
  • Social and family structure changes have affected mental health outcomes because modern family dynamics differ from previous generations. This happens when both parents work full-time, reducing family interaction time. For instance, many young people experience increased independence but less emotional support at home. Consequently, this creates higher anxiety levels and feelings of isolation. Furthermore, social media comparison results in body image concerns and self-esteem issues that were less prevalent in earlier generations.
  • Economic pressures have influenced health behaviours because the cost of living has increased substantially. This process ensures that many young people work part-time jobs while studying. For example, students often choose cheap, processed foods over nutritious meals due to time and financial constraints. Therefore, this generates poor dietary habits and nutritional deficiencies that affect physical development and academic performance.

♦♦ Mean mark 53%.

HMS, TIP 2018 HSC 27

Explain why marathon runners use physiological and neural strategies during recovery. Use examples to support your answer.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Marathon runners use physiological recovery strategies because their bodies experience significant metabolic stress and fluid loss. This occurs because prolonged running depletes energy stores and accumulates metabolic waste products. For example, cool-down strategies involving light jogging and walking help to gradually reduce heart rate and metabolism. This leads to improved waste product removal and prevents blood pooling in the lower limbs. The reason for this is active recovery maintains circulation while reducing exercise intensity.
  • Hydration strategies are essential because marathon running causes substantial fluid and electrolyte loss through sweating. This results in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that impair recovery. For instance, consuming sports drinks with sodium and potassium enables rapid rehydration and electrolyte replacement. Consequently, proper hydration facilitates cellular repair processes and temperature regulation.
  • Neural recovery strategies are used because marathon running creates psychological fatigue and stress responses. This happens when prolonged exercise elevates cortisol levels and creates mental exhaustion. For example, hydrotherapy using contrast water therapy helps to stimulate blood circulation and provide psychological relaxation. This process ensures reduced muscle tension and improved mental wellbeing. Therefore, neural strategies support both physical recovery and psychological restoration after intense endurance exercise.
Show Worked Solution
  • Marathon runners use physiological recovery strategies because their bodies experience significant metabolic stress and fluid loss. This occurs because prolonged running depletes energy stores and accumulates metabolic waste products. For example, cool-down strategies involving light jogging and walking help to gradually reduce heart rate and metabolism. This leads to improved waste product removal and prevents blood pooling in the lower limbs. The reason for this is active recovery maintains circulation while reducing exercise intensity.
  • Hydration strategies are essential because marathon running causes substantial fluid and electrolyte loss through sweating. This results in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that impair recovery. For instance, consuming sports drinks with sodium and potassium enables rapid rehydration and electrolyte replacement. Consequently, proper hydration facilitates cellular repair processes and temperature regulation.
  • Neural recovery strategies are used because marathon running creates psychological fatigue and stress responses. This happens when prolonged exercise elevates cortisol levels and creates mental exhaustion. For example, hydrotherapy using contrast water therapy helps to stimulate blood circulation and provide psychological relaxation. This process ensures reduced muscle tension and improved mental wellbeing. Therefore, neural strategies support both physical recovery and psychological restoration after intense endurance exercise.

♦♦ Mean mark 48%.

HMS, TIP 2018 HSC 25

Explain why the optimal level of arousal varies for different sports.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Optimal arousal levels vary between sports because different activities require different physical and mental demands. This occurs because sports involving gross motor skills need higher arousal for maximum power output. For example, weightlifters and rugby players benefit from high arousal to generate explosive strength and aggressive tackling. This leads to improved performance through increased muscle activation and intensity.
  • In contrast, sports requiring fine motor control need lower arousal levels for precision and accuracy. The reason for this is excessive arousal creates muscle tension that interferes with delicate movements. For instance, archery and golf require calm focus to achieve consistent technique and targeting. This results in better performance when arousal is controlled and moderate.
  • Additionally, the complexity of the sport influences optimal arousal requirements. This happens when simple skills can tolerate higher arousal levels without reducing performance quality. However, complex skills requiring decision-making and coordination suffer under high arousal. Therefore, sports like tennis need moderate arousal to balance power with tactical thinking and shot selection.

Show Worked Solution

  • Optimal arousal levels vary between sports because different activities require different physical and mental demands. This occurs because sports involving gross motor skills need higher arousal for maximum power output. For example, weightlifters and rugby players benefit from high arousal to generate explosive strength and aggressive tackling. This leads to improved performance through increased muscle activation and intensity.
  • In contrast, sports requiring fine motor control need lower arousal levels for precision and accuracy. The reason for this is excessive arousal creates muscle tension that interferes with delicate movements. For instance, archery and golf require calm focus to achieve consistent technique and targeting. This results in better performance when arousal is controlled and moderate.
  • Additionally, the complexity of the sport influences optimal arousal requirements. This happens when simple skills can tolerate higher arousal levels without reducing performance quality. However, complex skills requiring decision-making and coordination suffer under high arousal. Therefore, sports like tennis need moderate arousal to balance power with tactical thinking and shot selection.

♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 22

Describe the determinants of health that affect a preventable condition in Australia OTHER THAN cancer or cardiovascular disease. Use examples to support your answer.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Mental health conditions are affected by multiple determinants of health.
  • Sociocultural determinants include social isolation, stigma surrounding mental illness and cultural attitudes towards help-seeking. For example, rural communities often have limited social support networks.
  • Socioeconomic determinants encompass income levels, employment status and educational attainment. Unemployment and financial stress frequently contribute to anxiety and depression.
  • Environmental determinants involve geographic location and access to services. Remote areas have fewer mental health professionals and support services available.
  • Health behaviour determinants include substance use, physical inactivity and poor sleep patterns. Excessive alcohol consumption often worsens depression and anxiety symptoms.
  • Biomedical determinants comprise genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances and hormonal influences. Family history increases risk for conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Show Worked Solution

  • Mental health conditions are affected by multiple determinants of health.
  • Sociocultural determinants include social isolation, stigma surrounding mental illness and cultural attitudes towards help-seeking. For example, rural communities often have limited social support networks.
  • Socioeconomic determinants encompass income levels, employment status and educational attainment. Unemployment and financial stress frequently contribute to anxiety and depression.
  • Environmental determinants involve geographic location and access to services. Remote areas have fewer mental health professionals and support services available.
  • Health behaviour determinants include substance use, physical inactivity and poor sleep patterns. Excessive alcohol consumption often worsens depression and anxiety symptoms.
  • Biomedical determinants comprise genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances and hormonal influences. Family history increases risk for conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 19 MC

The graph shows (government) expenditure for patients admitted to hospital in Australia, by age, for 2012–2013.
 
 

Which of the following is most likely to be responsible for admitted patient expenditures over $2500 million?

  1. Mental health and injuries
  2. Mental health and respiratory diseases
  3. Cardiovascular diseases and injuries
  4. Cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: Cardiovascular diseases and injuries require expensive treatments and affect older age groups with highest expenditure.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Mental health typically requires less expensive hospital treatment than cardiovascular diseases.
  • B is incorrect: Mental health expenditure is generally lower than cardiovascular disease costs.
  • D is incorrect: Respiratory diseases are less expensive to treat than injuries requiring surgery.

♦♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 36%.

HMS, BM 2018 HSC 18 MC

The graph shows the percentage of energy produced in a variety of activities
 

Based on the graph, which of the following statements is the most accurate?

  1. After two seconds no more ATP is created.
  2. Stored energy plays a very small role in a vertical leap test.
  3. The lactic acid system is the major source of energy at the end of a 100-metre sprint.
  4. Aerobic energy is the major source of energy from the 10-second mark in a 400-metre sprint.
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: 100-metre sprint duration matches timeframe where lactic acid system dominates energy production.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: ATP continues to be produced by different systems after two seconds.
  • B is incorrect: Stored ATP plays a major role in explosive movements like vertical leaps.
  • D is incorrect: 400-metre sprint relies heavily on anaerobic systems, not primarily aerobic energy.

♦♦ Mean mark 45%.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 17 MC

Based on statistics, Australia has a very high incidence of cancer when compared to most developed countries.

To what is this mainly due?

  1. Poor dietary habits
  2. Higher rates of smoking
  3. Successful screening programs
  4. Increased spending on sun protection
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: Successful screening programs detect more cancers, increasing incidence rates through early detection.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Poor dietary habits would be a risk factor, not explanation for high detection rates.
  • B is incorrect: Higher smoking rates would increase lung cancer but don’t explain overall high incidence.
  • D is incorrect: Sun protection spending would reduce skin cancer incidence, not increase overall rates.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 33%.

HMS, TIP 2018 HSC 5 MC

In training, an athlete completes TWO laps of the following activity.
 

What type of training does this activity represent?

  1. Aerobic fartlek
  2. Aerobic interval
  3. Anaerobic fartlek
  4. Anaerobic interval
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution

  • D is correct: Structured sprint-recovery pattern represents anaerobic interval training with defined work-rest periods.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Fartlek involves varied intensity without structured recovery periods.
  • B is incorrect: Sprints are anaerobic intensity, not aerobic training zones.
  • C is incorrect: Fartlek training lacks the structured work-rest pattern shown here.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 33%.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 17 MC

The graph shows the relationship between an athlete’s running time and the contribution of three energy systems.

Which of the following shows the by-product and rate of recovery following exhaustion for the dominant energy system at 50 seconds running time?

  By-product Rate of recovery
A.   Carbon dioxide 30 minutes - 2 hours
B. Carbon dioxide 30 seconds - 5 minutes
C. Lactic acid 5 minutes - 20 minutes
D. Lactic acid 30 minutes - 2 hours

 

Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution

  • D is correct: At 50 seconds, lactic acid system dominates producing lactic acid with long recovery.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Carbon dioxide is aerobic system by-product, not dominant at 50 seconds.
  • B is incorrect: Carbon dioxide with short recovery describes ATP-PCr system characteristics.
  • C is incorrect: Lactic acid system recovery takes much longer than 5-20 minutes.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 41%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 16 MC

The diagram shows the exercise intensity for an athlete during different stages of a 20-minute continuous running activity.

Which type of training method does this activity represent?

  1. Circuit training
  2. Fartlek training
  3. Continuous training
  4. Aerobic interval training
Show Only

\(B\)

Show Worked S11olution

  • B is correct: Fartlek involves varied intensity periods during continuous running activity.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Circuit training uses different exercise stations, not continuous running.
  • C is incorrect: Continuous training maintains steady intensity throughout the session.
  • D is incorrect: Aerobic interval training has structured work-rest periods with recovery.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

HMS, HAG 2019 HSC 13 MC

Which of the following two strategies aim to reduce the impact of a growing and ageing population on the health care system in Australia?

  1. Introducing the Medicare Safety Net and increasing the number of volunteers
  2. Increasing the retirement age and introducing Lifetime Health Cover loading
  3. Increasing the number of carers and providing greater access to physical activity options to meet specific needs
  4. Increasing the private health insurance rebate and providing access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: More carers and age-appropriate physical activity directly address ageing population needs.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Medicare Safety Net provides cost relief but doesn’t address population ageing.
  • B is incorrect: These are economic policies, not health system strategies.
  • D is incorrect: These expand existing services but don’t specifically target ageing challenges.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 10 MC

Immediately after taking a kick at goal, the player turns to the team confident of having made a successful kick.

What type of feedback is the player experiencing?

  1. Knowledge of results, internal feedback
  2. Knowledge of results, external feedback
  3. Knowledge of performance, internal feedback
  4. Knowledge of performance, external feedback
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: Player’s confidence about technique quality represents internal knowledge of performance.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Player doesn’t know actual result yet, only feels performance quality.
  • B is incorrect: Feedback comes from internal sensations, not external sources.
  • D is incorrect: External feedback would come from coaches or spectators.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 6 MC

Which of the following could be classified as a discrete, closed and self-paced skill?

  1. Running 800 m
  2. Batting in cricket
  3. Pitching in softball
  4. Defending a penalty shot in hockey
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Pitching is discrete (clear beginning/end), closed (predictable environment), self-paced (pitcher controls timing).

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Running 800m is continuous, not discrete.
  • B is incorrect: Batting is open (unpredictable bowler) and externally paced.
  • D is incorrect: Defending is open (unpredictable shooter) and externally paced.

♦ Mean mark 55%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 4 MC

Which of the following includes two examples of physiological recovery strategies?

  1. Cool down and hydration
  2. Meditation and relaxation
  3. Cryotherapy and hydration
  4. Cool down and hydrotherapy
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution

D is correct: Cool down and hydrotherapy are both physiological recovery strategies.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Hydration is nutritional support, not physiological recovery.
  • B is incorrect: Meditation and relaxation are psychological recovery strategies.
  • C is incorrect: Hydration is nutritional support, not physiological recovery.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, HAG 2019 HSC 32b

To what extent has the inequity gap changed for TWO population groups as a result of government interventions?   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Judgment Statement

  • Government interventions have achieved moderate success in reducing health inequities for rural Australians and older people. Evidence shows significant improvements in access and some health outcomes, though substantial gaps remain.

Rural and Remote Australians

  • Government interventions have moderately reduced health inequities for rural Australians through improved access initiatives. The Royal Flying Doctor Service connects remote communities with emergency and primary healthcare services. Medicare telehealth consultations enable rural patients to access specialists without travelling long distances. The Rural Health Strategy provides additional funding for medical equipment and practitioners in regional areas.
  • These interventions demonstrate measurable improvements in healthcare access rates. Emergency response times have decreased in many remote regions. Specialist consultation rates have increased through digital health platforms. However, significant challenges remain as rural Australians still experience higher mortality rates than metropolitan populations. Chronic disease management continues to lag behind urban standards, indicating partial effectiveness of current interventions.

Older Australians

  • Government interventions show substantial progress in supporting healthy ageing and reducing inequities for older Australians. My Aged Care coordinates support services and helps older people access appropriate care. The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccinations specifically targeting older adults’ health needs. Medicare subsidises preventive health checks for people aged 65 and over.
  • Evidence supports significant positive outcomes from these targeted interventions. Aged care service utilisation rates have increased substantially over recent years. Preventable hospitalisation rates for older people have decreased due to better community support. Life expectancy for older Australians continues to improve, suggesting successful health promotion strategies. These interventions effectively address social isolation and healthcare access barriers that previously created major inequities.

Reaffirmation

  • Government interventions have achieved moderate success in reducing health inequities for both population groups. Rural health initiatives show promise but require sustained investment to achieve equity with urban areas. Older Australian programs demonstrate stronger outcomes, reflecting more comprehensive policy approaches and adequate resource allocation for this growing demographic.

Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • Government interventions have achieved moderate success in reducing health inequities for rural Australians and older people. Evidence shows significant improvements in access and some health outcomes, though substantial gaps remain.

Rural and Remote Australians

  • Government interventions have moderately reduced health inequities for rural Australians through improved access initiatives. The Royal Flying Doctor Service connects remote communities with emergency and primary healthcare services. Medicare telehealth consultations enable rural patients to access specialists without travelling long distances. The Rural Health Strategy provides additional funding for medical equipment and practitioners in regional areas.
  • These interventions demonstrate measurable improvements in healthcare access rates. Emergency response times have decreased in many remote regions. Specialist consultation rates have increased through digital health platforms. However, significant challenges remain as rural Australians still experience higher mortality rates than metropolitan populations. Chronic disease management continues to lag behind urban standards, indicating partial effectiveness of current interventions.

Older Australians

  • Government interventions show substantial progress in supporting healthy ageing and reducing inequities for older Australians. My Aged Care coordinates support services and helps older people access appropriate care. The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccinations specifically targeting older adults’ health needs. Medicare subsidises preventive health checks for people aged 65 and over.
  • Evidence supports significant positive outcomes from these targeted interventions. Aged care service utilisation rates have increased substantially over recent years. Preventable hospitalisation rates for older people have decreased due to better community support. Life expectancy for older Australians continues to improve, suggesting successful health promotion strategies. These interventions effectively address social isolation and healthcare access barriers that previously created major inequities.

Reaffirmation

  • Government interventions have achieved moderate success in reducing health inequities for both population groups. Rural health initiatives show promise but require sustained investment to achieve equity with urban areas. Older Australian programs demonstrate stronger outcomes, reflecting more comprehensive policy approaches and adequate resource allocation for this growing demographic.

♦♦ Mean mark 45%.

HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 32a

  1. Why are health promotion strategies more effective when they focus on skills, education and prevention?   (4 marks)

  2. Explain how intersectoral collaboration has increased the potential for success of ONE health promotion strategy for a population group experiencing inequity.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

i.    Sample Answer

  • Skills development enables individuals to make informed health decisions throughout their lives. This occurs because teaching practical skills like reading food labels empowers people to choose healthier options independently. For example, cooking skills help young people prepare nutritious meals rather than relying on processed foods.
  • Education increases health literacy and understanding of risk factors affecting wellbeing. This leads to better decision-making about lifestyle choices. Health education programs in schools teach students about the effects of substance use, enabling them to make informed choices about alcohol, smoking and drugs.
  • Prevention strategies are more cost-effective than treating diseases after they develop. This happens because preventing chronic conditions like diabetes costs less than ongoing medical treatment. Prevention programs focus on addressing risk factors early, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving quality of life.

ii.   Sample Answer

  • The National Tobacco Strategy demonstrates effective intersectoral collaboration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Commonwealth, state and territory governments work together with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to reduce smoking rates.
  • Government legislation creates supportive policy environments through plain packaging laws and increased tobacco taxation. This combines with community-based smoking cessation programs delivered by Aboriginal health workers in local communities using culturally appropriate approachess.
  • This collaboration increases success potential because it addresses multiple levels simultaneously. Policy changes reduce tobacco appeal while community programs provide culturally safe support and education. The combined approach leads to greater smoking reduction than individual strategies working alone.

Show Worked Solution

i.    Sample Answer

  • Skills development enables individuals to make informed health decisions throughout their lives. This occurs because teaching practical skills like reading food labels empowers people to choose healthier options independently. For example, cooking skills help young people prepare nutritious meals rather than relying on processed foods.
  • Education increases health literacy and understanding of risk factors affecting wellbeing. This leads to better decision-making about lifestyle choices. Health education programs in schools teach students about the effects of substance use, enabling them to make informed choices about alcohol, smoking and drugs.
  • Prevention strategies are more cost-effective than treating diseases after they develop. This happens because preventing chronic conditions like diabetes costs less than ongoing medical treatment. Prevention programs focus on addressing risk factors early, reducing the burden on healthcare systems and improving quality of life.

ii.   Sample Answer

  • The National Tobacco Strategy demonstrates effective intersectoral collaboration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Commonwealth, state and territory governments work together with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to reduce smoking rates.
  • Government legislation creates supportive policy environments through plain packaging laws and increased tobacco taxation. This combines with community-based smoking cessation programs delivered by Aboriginal health workers in local communities using culturally appropriate approachess.
  • This collaboration increases success potential because it addresses multiple levels simultaneously. Policy changes reduce tobacco appeal while community programs provide culturally safe support and education. The combined approach leads to greater smoking reduction than individual strategies working alone.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 42%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 31b

A periodisation chart is being developed for an athlete in a particular sport. Analyse why the athlete’s fitness and skill-specific requirements change during each phase of competition.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Overview Statement

  • A netball goal attack’s fitness and skill needs change across competition phases to assist performance while avoiding overtraining and injury throughout the year.

Component Relationship 1 – Pre-season Fitness Development

  • Pre-season focuses on building anaerobic power and developing netball-specific conditioning over longer periods. This happens because goal attacks need explosive speed for quick movements and physical preparation takes time.
  • Anaerobic interval training is most important in early pre-season to build speed endurance through sprint intervals and court runs.
  • As time goes on, plyometric training and agility work become more important to match the jumping and direction-change demands of netball.
  • Strength training becomes more common to develop upper body power for shooting and lower body strength for quick starts and stops.
  • This step-by-step approach ensures the goal attack reaches peak physical condition before competition starts while reducing injury risk.
  • Shooting accuracy and passing practice increases during late pre-season as fitness base allows harder technical training without excessive fatigue.
  • As a result, tactical understanding of attacking patterns grows alongside physical preparation, creating complete readiness for competition.

Component Relationship 2 – In-season Maintenance and Skill Focus

  • In-season requirements shift towards keeping explosive power while improving technical skills under game pressure. This change happens because netball games require best shooting accuracy and court awareness rather than fitness building, and training time becomes limited between games.
  • Training volume decreases to prevent overtraining while intensity stays high to keep game fitness during the season. Therefore, shooting drills and movement patterns become the main focus with defensive positioning becoming most important for competitive success.
  • Recovery strategies become more important as weekly competition games create leg fatigue that needs careful management through stretching and recovery techniques.
  • Consequently, periodisation must balance maintaining explosive power with sufficient recovery between games.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These phase-specific changes work together to create optimal performance timing for netball and prevent performance decline. The systematic variation prevents staleness while ensuring goal attacks peak during finals competition and maintain performance standards throughout the netball season.

Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement

  • A netball goal attack’s fitness and skill needs change across competition phases to assist performance while avoiding overtraining and injury throughout the year.

Component Relationship 1 – Pre-season Fitness Development

  • Pre-season focuses on building anaerobic power and developing netball-specific conditioning over longer periods. This happens because goal attacks need explosive speed for quick movements and physical preparation takes time.
  • Anaerobic interval training is most important in early pre-season to build speed endurance through sprint intervals and court runs.
  • As time goes on, plyometric training and agility work become more important to match the jumping and direction-change demands of netball.
  • Strength training becomes more common to develop upper body power for shooting and lower body strength for quick starts and stops.
  • This step-by-step approach ensures the goal attack reaches peak physical condition before competition starts while reducing injury risk.
  • Shooting accuracy and passing practice increases during late pre-season as fitness base allows harder technical training without excessive fatigue.
  • As a result, tactical understanding of attacking patterns grows alongside physical preparation, creating complete readiness for competition.

Component Relationship 2 – In-season Maintenance and Skill Focus

  • In-season requirements shift towards keeping explosive power while improving technical skills under game pressure. This change happens because netball games require best shooting accuracy and court awareness rather than fitness building, and training time becomes limited between games.
  • Training volume decreases to prevent overtraining while intensity stays high to keep game fitness during the season. Therefore, shooting drills and movement patterns become the main focus with defensive positioning becoming most important for competitive success.
  • Recovery strategies become more important as weekly competition games create leg fatigue that needs careful management through stretching and recovery techniques.
  • Consequently, periodisation must balance maintaining explosive power with sufficient recovery between games.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These phase-specific changes work together to create optimal performance timing for netball and prevent performance decline. The systematic variation prevents staleness while ensuring goal attacks peak during finals competition and maintain performance standards throughout the netball season.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 31a

  1. Describe TWO different types of training methods that are best suited to the performance requirements of an athlete in a particular sport.   (4 marks)

  2. How can the training adaptations for the athlete identified in part (i) be measured and monitored?   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

i.    Athlete – 400 metre runner

  • A 400-metre runner requires anaerobic interval training and plyometric training to meet performance demands.
  • Anaerobic interval training involves high-intensity efforts with incomplete recovery periods, developing lactate tolerance essential for 400-metre racing. This method trains the glycolytic energy system predominantly used during the race duration and intensity.
  • Plyometric training develops explosive power through rapid muscle contractions involving stretch-shortening cycles. This training method enhances sprint acceleration and stride power crucial for 400-metre performance. Exercises include depth jumps, bounding and reactive movements. These exercises improve neuromuscular coordination and force production rates necessary for competitive sprinting speeds.

ii.   Measuring and monitoring

  • Anaerobic capacity can be measured through repeated sprint tests and lactate threshold protocols. This determines the athlete’s ability to maintain high-intensity efforts over race distance. Time trials provide specific performance indicators, showing training adaptation effectiveness.
  • Power development is monitored using vertical jump tests and sprint acceleration measurements. These assessments reveal improvements in explosive strength from plyometric training. Standing broad jump distance measures horizontal power development, indicating neuromuscular adaptation improvements.
  • Heart rate recovery patterns demonstrate cardiovascular adaptation efficiency and can be analysed using heart rate monitors or smart watches. These devices track resting heart rate changes and recovery rates after training sessions. Faster recovery rates indicate improved anaerobic fitness and training adaptation success for 400-metre performance requirements.

Show Worked Solution

i.    Athlete – 400 metre runner

  • A 400-metre runner requires anaerobic interval training and plyometric training to meet performance demands.
  • Anaerobic interval training involves high-intensity efforts with incomplete recovery periods, developing lactate tolerance essential for 400-metre racing. This method trains the glycolytic energy system predominantly used during the race duration and intensity.
  • Plyometric training develops explosive power through rapid muscle contractions involving stretch-shortening cycles. This training method enhances sprint acceleration and stride power crucial for 400-metre performance. Exercises include depth jumps, bounding and reactive movements. These exercises improve neuromuscular coordination and force production rates necessary for competitive sprinting speeds.

♦♦ Mean mark (i) 52%.

ii.   Measuring and monitoring

  • Anaerobic capacity can be measured through repeated sprint tests and lactate threshold protocols. This determines the athlete’s ability to maintain high-intensity efforts over race distance. Time trials provide specific performance indicators, showing training adaptation effectiveness.
  • Power development is monitored using vertical jump tests and sprint acceleration measurements. These assessments reveal improvements in explosive strength from plyometric training. Standing broad jump distance measures horizontal power development, indicating neuromuscular adaptation improvements.
  • Heart rate recovery patterns demonstrate cardiovascular adaptation efficiency and can be analysed using heart rate monitors or smart watches. These devices track resting heart rate changes and recovery rates after training sessions. Faster recovery rates indicate improved anaerobic fitness and training adaptation success for 400-metre performance requirements.

♦♦ Mean mark (ii) 42%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 30a

An athlete dives towards the ground in an attempt to score a try in a game of touch football. The athlete hears a loud crack and remains on the ground, clutching the injured shoulder.

  1. Explain the assessment procedures that should be used to determine the nature and extent of this injury.   (4 marks)

  2. Describe the management of fractures and dislocations.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

i.    TOTAPS assessment

  • TOTAPS assessment provides systematic evaluation of the shoulder injury. Talk involves questioning the athlete about pain location, intensity, and mechanism of injury. This determines initial severity and helps identify potential fracture or dislocation.
  • Observe compares the injured shoulder to the uninjured side for deformity, swelling, or abnormal positioning. This reveals obvious structural damage or displacement indicating serious injury requiring immediate medical attention.
  • Touch assesses tenderness, heat, and structural abnormalities through gentle palpation. This identifies specific injury location and severity. However, if significant deformity or severe pain exists, assessment should stop immediately.
  • Active and passive movement testing would not proceed due to suspected hard tissue injury. This occurs because movement attempts could worsen fracture displacement or joint damage, requiring immediate medical intervention instead.

ii.   Management of fractures and dislocations

  • Fractures require immediate immobilisation to prevent further tissue damage and reduce pain.
  • Support the injured area using splints, slings or bandages without attempting realignment.
  • Monitor for shock symptoms including pale skin, rapid pulse and decreased consciousness.
  • Transport to medical facilities immediately for professional treatment including X-rays and surgical intervention if required.
  • Dislocations involve joint displacement requiring professional medical reduction.
  • Never attempt to relocate the joint as this may cause additional nerve or blood vessel damage.
  • Immobilise the joint in the position found using appropriate supports.
  • Apply ice to reduce swelling and pain while monitoring circulation below the injury site.
  • Arrange immediate medical evacuation for proper diagnosis and professional joint reduction procedures.

Show Worked Solution

i.    TOTAPS assessment

  • TOTAPS assessment provides systematic evaluation of the shoulder injury. Talk involves questioning the athlete about pain location, intensity, and mechanism of injury. This determines initial severity and helps identify potential fracture or dislocation.
  • Observe compares the injured shoulder to the uninjured side for deformity, swelling, or abnormal positioning. This reveals obvious structural damage or displacement indicating serious injury requiring immediate medical attention.
  • Touch assesses tenderness, heat, and structural abnormalities through gentle palpation. This identifies specific injury location and severity. However, if significant deformity or severe pain exists, assessment should stop immediately.
  • Active and passive movement testing would not proceed due to suspected hard tissue injury. This occurs because movement attempts could worsen fracture displacement or joint damage, requiring immediate medical intervention instead.

ii.   Management of fractures and dislocations

  • Fractures require immediate immobilisation to prevent further tissue damage and reduce pain.
  • Support the injured area using splints, slings or bandages without attempting realignment.
  • Monitor for shock symptoms including pale skin, rapid pulse and decreased consciousness.
  • Transport to medical facilities immediately for professional treatment including X-rays and surgical intervention if required.
  • Dislocations involve joint displacement requiring professional medical reduction.
  • Never attempt to relocate the joint as this may cause additional nerve or blood vessel damage.
  • Immobilise the joint in the position found using appropriate supports.
  • Apply ice to reduce swelling and pain while monitoring circulation below the injury site.
  • Arrange immediate medical evacuation for proper diagnosis and professional joint reduction procedures.

♦♦♦ Mean mark (ii) 48%.

HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 28b

Explain the factors which may adversely affect the health of young people and the strategies implemented to overcome them.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Individual factors adversely affect young people’s health through predetermined characteristics and personal behaviours. Low self-esteem and risk-taking attitudes increase vulnerability to substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices. This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity. Male young people experience higher injury rates due to impulsivity and peer pressure influences. Consequently, motor vehicle accidents and sporting injuries represent leading causes of youth mortality and morbidity.
  • Socioeconomic factors create health disparities through family income and educational access. Low socioeconomic status limits access to healthy food choices and recreational facilities. This leads to higher rates of obesity and mental health issues among disadvantaged youth. Family breakdown and unemployment contribute to social isolation and stress-related conditions. Therefore, young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience poorer health outcomes across multiple indicators.
  • Environmental factors influence health through geographical location and infrastructure availability. Rural and remote young people face reduced access to healthcare services and mental health support. This results in delayed treatment for chronic conditions and higher suicide rates. Poor housing conditions and overcrowding expose young people to infectious diseases and respiratory problems. Additionally, limited transport optirestrict ons participation in health-promoting activities and social connections.
  • Strategies address these factors through targeted interventions and policy changes. Youth mental health services like headspace provide accessible support for psychological wellbeing issues. These services work by offering early intervention and culturally appropriate care in community settings. School-based health education programs develop health literacy and decision-making skills among adolescents. This approach enables young people to make informed choices about substance use and sexual health practices, reducing risk-taking behaviours significantly.

Show Worked Solution

  • Individual factors adversely affect young people’s health through predetermined characteristics and personal behaviours. Low self-esteem and risk-taking attitudes increase vulnerability to substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices. This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity. Male young people experience higher injury rates due to impulsivity and peer pressure influences. Consequently, motor vehicle accidents and sporting injuries represent leading causes of youth mortality and morbidity.
  • Socioeconomic factors create health disparities through family income and educational access. Low socioeconomic status limits access to healthy food choices and recreational facilities. This leads to higher rates of obesity and mental health issues among disadvantaged youth. Family breakdown and unemployment contribute to social isolation and stress-related conditions. Therefore, young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience poorer health outcomes across multiple indicators.
  • Environmental factors influence health through geographical location and infrastructure availability. Rural and remote young people face reduced access to healthcare services and mental health support. This results in delayed treatment for chronic conditions and higher suicide rates. Poor housing conditions and overcrowding expose young people to infectious diseases and respiratory problems. Additionally, limited transport optirestrict ons participation in health-promoting activities and social connections.
  • Strategies address these factors through targeted interventions and policy changes. Youth mental health services like headspace provide accessible support for psychological wellbeing issues. These services work by offering early intervention and culturally appropriate care in community settings. School-based health education programs develop health literacy and decision-making skills among adolescents. This approach enables young people to make informed choices about substance use and sexual health practices, reducing risk-taking behaviours significantly.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, TIP 2019 HSC 27

An athlete is participating in a 12-week aerobic training program.

Analyse how progressive overload and training thresholds can result in physiological adaptations for the athlete.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Overview Statement

  • Progressive overload and training thresholds interact to create systematic stress that triggers cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations over 12 weeks.

Component Relationship 1 – Progressive Overload and Cardiovascular Adaptations

  • Progressive overload involves gradually increasing training frequency, intensity, and duration throughout the program. This systematic increase places greater demands on the cardiovascular system each week.
  • As a result, the heart muscle strengthens and stroke volume increases significantly. The left ventricle enlarges to pump more blood per contraction.
  • Consequently, resting heart rate decreases as the heart becomes more efficient. Cardiac output improves during exercise, enabling enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscles.
  • This relationship demonstrates how progressive stress leads to superior cardiovascular function.

Component Relationship 2 – Training Thresholds and Respiratory Adaptations

  • Training thresholds ensure exercise intensity remains between aerobic and anaerobic zones throughout the program. This targeted intensity optimises oxygen utilisation without excessive lactate accumulation.
  • Therefore, respiratory muscles strengthen and lung capacity increases. Oxygen uptake improves as alveoli become more efficient at gas exchange.
  • This connection between threshold training and respiratory adaptation results in enhanced endurance capacity and delayed fatigue onset.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These interactions create a synergistic effect where cardiovascular and respiratory improvements work together.
  • The combined adaptations significantly enhance athletic performance and exercise tolerance.

Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement

  • Progressive overload and training thresholds interact to create systematic stress that triggers cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations over 12 weeks.

Component Relationship 1 – Progressive Overload and Cardiovascular Adaptations

  • Progressive overload involves gradually increasing training frequency, intensity, and duration throughout the program. This systematic increase places greater demands on the cardiovascular system each week.
  • As a result, the heart muscle strengthens and stroke volume increases significantly. The left ventricle enlarges to pump more blood per contraction.
  • Consequently, resting heart rate decreases as the heart becomes more efficient. Cardiac output improves during exercise, enabling enhanced oxygen delivery to working muscles.
  • This relationship demonstrates how progressive stress leads to superior cardiovascular function.

Component Relationship 2 – Training Thresholds and Respiratory Adaptations

  • Training thresholds ensure exercise intensity remains between aerobic and anaerobic zones throughout the program. This targeted intensity optimises oxygen utilisation without excessive lactate accumulation.
  • Therefore, respiratory muscles strengthen and lung capacity increases. Oxygen uptake improves as alveoli become more efficient at gas exchange.
  • This connection between threshold training and respiratory adaptation results in enhanced endurance capacity and delayed fatigue onset.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These interactions create a synergistic effect where cardiovascular and respiratory improvements work together.
  • The combined adaptations significantly enhance athletic performance and exercise tolerance.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 39%.

HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 26

To what extent has the health of Australians been improved through the use of the Ottawa Charter in health promotion initiatives? Use examples to support your answer.   (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Judgment Statement

  • The Ottawa Charter has significantly improved Australian health through comprehensive action across multiple areas, delivering substantial population health benefits.

Strongest Evidence – Policy and Environmental Changes

  • Healthy public policy initiatives have created substantial health improvements across Australia.
  • Plain packaging legislation for tobacco products demonstrates highly effective policy implementation and has contributed to declining smoking rates across all demographics.
  • Creating supportive environments through comprehensive smoke-free public spaces has reduced community exposure to passive smoking.
  • Building healthy public policy through mandatory helmet laws has significantly reduced head injury rates among cyclists and motorcyclists.
  • Reorienting health services towards prevention has shifted healthcare focus from treatment to early intervention.
  • These policy-driven changes have resulted in measurable decreases in smoking-related diseases, improved respiratory health outcome and enhanced road safety statistics nationally.

Secondary Evidence – Individual and Community Empowerment

  • Developing personal skills through extensive health education campaigns has substantially enhanced health literacy among Australian communities.
  • Programs like SunSmart have successfully educated diverse populations about skin cancer prevention strategies. Consequently improved sun protection behaviours have emerged and reduced melanoma incidence rates have been seen.
  • Strengthening community action through locally-led health initiatives has enabled effective grassroots health promotion. In particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have benefited through culturally appropriate programs that respect traditional healing practices while incorporating contemporary health knowledge.

Reaffirmation

  • Evidence demonstrates the Ottawa Charter has substantially improved Australian health outcomes.
  • Integrated policy frameworks, environmental modifications and community-based approaches have delivered measurable benefits.
  • These improvements span diverse demographic groups nationally.

Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • The Ottawa Charter has significantly improved Australian health through comprehensive action across multiple areas, delivering substantial population health benefits.

Strongest Evidence – Policy and Environmental Changes

  • Healthy public policy initiatives have created substantial health improvements across Australia.
  • Plain packaging legislation for tobacco products demonstrates highly effective policy implementation and has contributed to declining smoking rates across all demographics.
  • Creating supportive environments through comprehensive smoke-free public spaces has reduced community exposure to passive smoking.
  • Building healthy public policy through mandatory helmet laws has significantly reduced head injury rates among cyclists and motorcyclists.
  • Reorienting health services towards prevention has shifted healthcare focus from treatment to early intervention.
  • These policy-driven changes have resulted in measurable decreases in smoking-related diseases, improved respiratory health outcome and enhanced road safety statistics nationally.

Secondary Evidence – Individual and Community Empowerment

  • Developing personal skills through extensive health education campaigns has substantially enhanced health literacy among Australian communities.
  • Programs like SunSmart have successfully educated diverse populations about skin cancer prevention strategies. Consequently improved sun protection behaviours have emerged and reduced melanoma incidence rates have been seen.
  • Strengthening community action through locally-led health initiatives has enabled effective grassroots health promotion. In particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have benefited through culturally appropriate programs that respect traditional healing practices while incorporating contemporary health knowledge.

Reaffirmation

  • Evidence demonstrates the Ottawa Charter has substantially improved Australian health outcomes.
  • Integrated policy frameworks, environmental modifications and community-based approaches have delivered measurable benefits.
  • These improvements span diverse demographic groups nationally.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, HAG 2019 HSC 25

Explain why cancer continues to be identified as a priority health issue in Australia. Use examples to support your answer.   (7 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Cancer remains a priority because it causes the highest burden of disease in Australia. This occurs because cancer affects multiple body systems and requires extensive treatment over long periods. Hundreds of thousands of new cases are diagnosed annually, demonstrating its widespread impact.
  • High mortality rates demonstrate cancer’s priority status. Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer deaths, while breast and colorectal cancers contribute significantly to overall mortality. This results in substantial years of life lost and profound family impact across communities nationwide.
  • Rising incidence rates necessitate continued priority focus. Skin cancer diagnoses continue increasing due to Australia’s sun exposure patterns and cultural outdoor lifestyle. Consequently, prevention programs require ongoing investment and sustained public health attention.
  • The cost to the economy justifies priority classification. Cancer treatment accounts for a significant proportion of healthcare expenditure through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and ongoing supportive care. This creates substantial financial pressure on individuals, families and the healthcare system, requiring government intervention.
  • Prevention potential supports priority status. A substantial proportion of cancers are preventable through lifestyle modifications including smoking cessation, sun protection and dietary changes. Therefore, investment in prevention strategies can reduce future incidence rates significantly, providing long-term health and economic benefits for Australia.

Show Worked Solution

  • Cancer remains a priority because it causes the highest burden of disease in Australia. This occurs because cancer affects multiple body systems and requires extensive treatment over long periods. Hundreds of thousands of new cases are diagnosed annually, demonstrating its widespread impact.
  • High mortality rates demonstrate cancer’s priority status. Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer deaths, while breast and colorectal cancers contribute significantly to overall mortality. This results in substantial years of life lost and profound family impact across communities nationwide.
  • Rising incidence rates necessitate continued priority focus. Skin cancer diagnoses continue increasing due to Australia’s sun exposure patterns and cultural outdoor lifestyle. Consequently, prevention programs require ongoing investment and sustained public health attention.
  • The cost to the economy justifies priority classification. Cancer treatment accounts for a significant proportion of healthcare expenditure through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and ongoing supportive care. This creates substantial financial pressure on individuals, families and the healthcare system, requiring government intervention.
  • Prevention potential supports priority status. A substantial proportion of cancers are preventable through lifestyle modifications including smoking cessation, sun protection and dietary changes. Therefore, investment in prevention strategies can reduce future incidence rates significantly, providing long-term health and economic benefits for Australia.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 24

How can characteristics of the learner influence skill acquisition? Use examples to support your answer.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Prior experience accelerates skill acquisition through transfer of existing movement patterns. This occurs because familiar skills provide a foundation for learning new movements. For example, a netball player learning basketball benefits from existing passing and catching abilities.
  • Confidence levels determine learning progression rates. When athletes have high self-confidence, they attempt new skills more readily. This leads to faster movement through cognitive and associative learning stages. Conversely, low confidence results in hesitation and slower skill development.
  • Physical characteristics influence learning capacity and skill execution. For instance, height advantages in basketball enable easier shot blocking and rebounding acquisition. Natural flexibility allows gymnasts to master complex movements more rapidly than less flexible athletes.
  • Motivation drives practice intensity and persistence during challenging learning phases. Highly motivated learners maintain effort when facing difficulties. This creates more practice opportunities, resulting in accelerated skill development and technique refinement.
  • Age affects learning speed and retention capacity. Younger learners typically acquire motor skills faster due to neuroplasticity. However, older athletes compensate through experience and tactical understanding.

Show Worked Solution

  • Prior experience accelerates skill acquisition through transfer of existing movement patterns. This occurs because familiar skills provide a foundation for learning new movements. For example, a netball player learning basketball benefits from existing passing and catching abilities.
  • Confidence levels determine learning progression rates. When athletes have high self-confidence, they attempt new skills more readily. This leads to faster movement through cognitive and associative learning stages. Conversely, low confidence results in hesitation and slower skill development.
  • Physical characteristics influence learning capacity and skill execution. For instance, height advantages in basketball enable easier shot blocking and rebounding acquisition. Natural flexibility allows gymnasts to master complex movements more rapidly than less flexible athletes.
  • Motivation drives practice intensity and persistence during challenging learning phases. Highly motivated learners maintain effort when facing difficulties. This creates more practice opportunities, resulting in accelerated skill development and technique refinement.
  • Age affects learning speed and retention capacity. Younger learners typically acquire motor skills faster due to neuroplasticity. However, older athletes compensate through experience and tactical understanding.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 23

Explain how environmental determinants contribute to the health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Geographical isolation limits access to healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This leads to delayed treatment and higher mortality rates from preventable conditions.
  • Remote locations create barriers to specialist medical care and emergency services. Consequently, chronic diseases like diabetes progress untreated, resulting in severe complications and increased morbidity.
  • Poor housing conditions in remote communities expose families to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. This causes higher rates of infectious diseases and respiratory conditions among Aboriginal children.
  • Limited infrastructure restricts access to clean water and proper waste management. This results in increased risk of waterborne diseases and environmental health hazards.
  • Distance from major centres reduces employment opportunities and educational access. Therefore, economic disadvantage perpetuates poor health outcomes across generations.
  • Inadequate transport systems prevent regular healthcare visits and health screenings. This means early intervention opportunities are missed, leading to worse long-term health outcomes.

Show Worked Solution

  • Geographical isolation limits access to healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This leads to delayed treatment and higher mortality rates from preventable conditions.
  • Remote locations create barriers to specialist medical care and emergency services. Consequently, chronic diseases like diabetes progress untreated, resulting in severe complications and increased morbidity.
  • Poor housing conditions in remote communities expose families to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. This causes higher rates of infectious diseases and respiratory conditions among Aboriginal children.
  • Limited infrastructure restricts access to clean water and proper waste management. This results in increased risk of waterborne diseases and environmental health hazards.
  • Distance from major centres reduces employment opportunities and educational access. Therefore, economic disadvantage perpetuates poor health outcomes across generations.
  • Inadequate transport systems prevent regular healthcare visits and health screenings. This means early intervention opportunities are missed, leading to worse long-term health outcomes.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, BM 2019 HSC 22

Justify whether carbohydrate loading could improve performance for an athlete competing in a 100-metre running race.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only

Position Statement

  • Carbohydrate loading would not improve 100-metre sprint performance.

Primary Evidence

  • 100-metre races use the ATP-PCr system, which relies on creatine phosphate, not carbohydrates.
  • This system provides energy for activities lasting 10-15 seconds without requiring glycogen.
  • The race intensity and duration mean carbohydrate stores remain unused.

Secondary Evidence

  • Carbohydrate loading benefits endurance events exceeding 90 minutes where glycogen depletion occurs.
  • Sprint events do not deplete muscle glycogen stores, making carbohydrate loading irrelevant for performance enhancement.

Reinforcement

  • Evidence confirms carbohydrate loading offers no benefit since sprinting operates independently of carbohydrate metabolism.

Show Worked Solution

Position Statement

  • Carbohydrate loading would not improve 100-metre sprint performance.

Primary Evidence

  • 100-metre races use the ATP-PCr system, which relies on creatine phosphate, not carbohydrates.
  • This system provides energy for activities lasting 10-15 seconds without requiring glycogen.
  • The race intensity and duration mean carbohydrate stores remain unused.

Secondary Evidence

  • Carbohydrate loading benefits endurance events exceeding 90 minutes where glycogen depletion occurs.
  • Sprint events do not deplete muscle glycogen stores, making carbohydrate loading irrelevant for performance enhancement.

Reinforcement

  • Evidence confirms carbohydrate loading offers no benefit since sprinting operates independently of carbohydrate metabolism.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, TIP 2020 HSC 20 MC

An athlete participated in an 8-week training program.

The table shows the physiological adaptations for the athlete at the completion of the training program.

\begin{array} {|l|l|}
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\ \ \ \ \textit{Physiological adaptation}\ \ \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \ \ \ \textit{Results for the athlete}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Resting heart rate}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Decreased}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Stroke volume}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Substantially increased}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Cardiac output}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Increased}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Muscle hypertrophy}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{No significant change}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Fast/slow twitch muscle fibres }\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Increased number of capillaries}\\
\ & \text{in slow twitch muscle fibres}\\
\hline
\end{array}

Which of the following shows the most likely features of the training program?

  1. Anaerobic interval training for 30 minutes, 3 sessions per week, gradually increasing the work-rest ratio each week
  2. Aerobic continuous training for 60 minutes, at an intensity of 80% maximum heart rate, progressively increasing the number of sessions each week
  3. Aerobic circuit training for 30 minutes, at an intensity of 90% maximum heart rate, progressively decreasing the number of sessions each week
  4. Aerobic interval training for 60 minutes, 4 sessions per week, at an intensity of 60% maximum heart rate, progressively increasing the work-rest ratio within each session
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Aerobic adaptations indicate continuous training at moderate-high intensity with progression.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Anaerobic training wouldn’t produce these cardiovascular adaptations.
  • C is incorrect: 90% intensity too high for sustained training, decreasing sessions illogical.
  • D is incorrect: 60% intensity too low for substantial adaptations shown.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, HAG 2020 HSC 19 MC

The graph shows the number of women who participated in BreastScreen Australia services, by age, in 2015-2016. The graph also shows the participation rate which is based on the number of women screened as a percentage of the eligible female population.

 

Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the data provided?

  1. The breast cancer mortality rate decreases with age.
  2. The incidence of breast cancer will increase for women aged over 75 years.
  3. The participation rate of women aged under 50 years may result in increased risk of breast cancer mortality for this age group.
  4. The participation rate of women aged 50-69 years may result in lower rates of hospitalisation for breast cancer for this age group.
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Low participation rates under 50 increase mortality risk through missed detection.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Graph shows participation rates not mortality rate trends.
  • B is incorrect: Graph shows participation not incidence rate predictions.
  • D is incorrect: Graph shows participation not hospitalisation rate outcomes.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 38%.

HMS, HAG 2020 HSC 7 MC

Which of the following refers to poor blood supply from the heart to the limbs?

  1. Angina
  2. Coronary heart disease
  3. Cerebrovascular disease
  4. Peripheral vascular disease
Show Answers Only

\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Peripheral vascular disease affects blood flow to limbs specifically.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Angina is chest pain from reduced heart blood supply.
  • B is incorrect: Coronary heart disease affects heart muscle blood supply.
  • C is incorrect: Cerebrovascular disease affects brain blood supply not limbs.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

HMS, BM 2020 HSC 6 MC

Which of the following best describes the nature of the skill when an athlete performs a long jump?

  1. Open, self-paced, gross
  2. Open, externally paced, continuous
  3. Closed, self-paced, gross
  4. Closed, externally paced, continuous
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Predictable environment, athlete controls timing, uses large muscle groups.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Long jump occurs in predictable not unpredictable environment.
  • B is incorrect: Athlete controls timing and skill is discrete not continuous.
  • D is incorrect: Athlete controls timing and skill is discrete not continuous.

♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, HAG 2020 HSC 5 MC

All Australian children are expected to have received specific immunisations by a certain age.

Who is responsible for funding these immunisations?

  1. Local government
  2. Commonwealth government
  3. State and Territory governments
  4. Private health insurance companies
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Commonwealth government funds national immunisation programs for all children.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Local government provides community services not immunisation funding.
  • C is incorrect: State governments deliver services but Commonwealth funds programs.
  • D is incorrect: Private insurers don’t fund mandatory childhood immunisation programs.

♦♦ Mean mark 44%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32b

Explain how the social justice framework can be applied to address factors which may cause health inequities in Australia.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
  • Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
  • Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
  • Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
  • Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
  • The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

Show Worked Solution

  • The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
  • Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
  • Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
  • Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
  • Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
  • The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 37%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32aii

Explain how socioeconomic factors can contribute to health inequities experienced by different population groups in Australia.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • Low income levels directly result in reduced access to healthcare services and nutritious food options. This occurs because families prioritise basic needs over preventive health measures. Homeless populations experience limited healthcare access, which leads to higher rates of chronic diseases and infectious conditions.
  • Educational attainment strongly influences health literacy and employment opportunities. This creates a cycle where lower education results in reduced income and poorer health choices. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face educational disadvantages that indirectly contribute to higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • Employment status determines access to health insurance and stable income. This causes unemployed individuals to delay medical treatment and triggers worsening health conditions. Rural populations experience limited employment opportunities, which produces reduced access to specialist healthcare services.
  • Therefore, socioeconomic factors interact to create compound disadvantages. This means that lower socioeconomic status increases multiple health risks whilst reducing access to protective resources. As a result, persistent health inequities continue across different Australian population groups.

Show Worked Solution

  • Low income levels directly result in reduced access to healthcare services and nutritious food options. This occurs because families prioritise basic needs over preventive health measures. Homeless populations experience limited healthcare access, which leads to higher rates of chronic diseases and infectious conditions.
  • Educational attainment strongly influences health literacy and employment opportunities. This creates a cycle where lower education results in reduced income and poorer health choices. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face educational disadvantages that indirectly contribute to higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
  • Employment status determines access to health insurance and stable income. This causes unemployed individuals to delay medical treatment and triggers worsening health conditions. Rural populations experience limited employment opportunities, which produces reduced access to specialist healthcare services.
  • Therefore, socioeconomic factors interact to create compound disadvantages. This means that lower socioeconomic status increases multiple health risks whilst reducing access to protective resources. As a result, persistent health inequities continue across different Australian population groups.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32ai

Outline how the quality of the early years of life can contribute to health inequities in Australia.   (3 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
  • Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
  • Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
  • Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
  • These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.
Show Worked Solution
  • Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
  • Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
  • Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
  • Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
  • These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, TIP 2020 HSC 31b

Three days before a competition, a coach of a group of athletes wants to implement a 60 -minute training session.

Select a sport and justify ONE activity the coach could include for EACH element of this training session.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Sport Chosen: Basketball

Position Statement:

  • Basketball training session elements must prioritise competition readiness whilst maintaining athlete freshness.
  • Light skill refinement, tactical preparation and recovery focus are most appropriate three days before competition to optimise performance outcomes.

Health and Safety Considerations:

  • Low-intensity ball handling drills minimise injury risk whilst maintaining court familiarity and touch. This demonstrates that simple dribbling exercises through cones allow skill maintenance without physical stress or contact injuries.
  • Evidence confirms that controlled movements reduce collision risk compared to full-contact scrimmages that could cause muscle strains. This supports the conclusion because athletes remain healthy for competition whilst addressing technical requirements and maintaining confidence levels.

Warm-up and Cool-down:

  • Dynamic stretching and light jogging prepare muscles for activity without inducing fatigue or soreness. Research shows that leg swings and arm circles activate joints for basketball movements whilst preventing injury. Studies indicate that 10-minute progressive warm-ups enhance performance readiness without energy depletion. Static stretching during cool-down promotes recovery and flexibility maintenance for competition preparation, reducing muscle tension.

Skill Instruction and Practice:

  • Shooting technique refinement maintains accuracy without exhausting players or causing overuse injuries. Research reveals that form shooting from close range reinforces muscle memory patterns and builds confidence. Data shows that technical focus sessions improve competitive readiness without physical demands that compromise recovery.

Conditioning:

  • Light aerobic activity maintains cardiovascular fitness without depleting energy stores needed for competition. Therefore, jogging for 15-minutes is justified as it will sustain any endurance base without overexertion or metabolic stress.

Strategies and Tactics:

  • Defensive positioning drills reinforce game plans through mental rehearsal and light movement patterns. Practice reinforces that walk-through scenarios prepare athletes tactically without physical stress or energy expenditure.

Reinforcement:

  • These justified activities balance competition preparation with athlete readiness, ensuring optimal performance whilst preventing overtraining and injury risk before competition day.
Show Worked Solution

Sport Chosen: Basketball

Position Statement:

  • Basketball training session elements must prioritise competition readiness whilst maintaining athlete freshness.
  • Light skill refinement, tactical preparation and recovery focus are most appropriate three days before competition to optimise performance outcomes.

Health and Safety Considerations:

  • Low-intensity ball handling drills minimise injury risk whilst maintaining court familiarity and touch. This demonstrates that simple dribbling exercises through cones allow skill maintenance without physical stress or contact injuries.
  • Evidence confirms that controlled movements reduce collision risk compared to full-contact scrimmages that could cause muscle strains. This supports the conclusion because athletes remain healthy for competition whilst addressing technical requirements and maintaining confidence levels.

Warm-up and Cool-down:

  • Dynamic stretching and light jogging prepare muscles for activity without inducing fatigue or soreness. Research shows that leg swings and arm circles activate joints for basketball movements whilst preventing injury. Studies indicate that 10-minute progressive warm-ups enhance performance readiness without energy depletion. Static stretching during cool-down promotes recovery and flexibility maintenance for competition preparation, reducing muscle tension.

Skill Instruction and Practice:

  • Shooting technique refinement maintains accuracy without exhausting players or causing overuse injuries. Research reveals that form shooting from close range reinforces muscle memory patterns and builds confidence. Data shows that technical focus sessions improve competitive readiness without physical demands that compromise recovery.

Conditioning:

  • Light aerobic activity maintains cardiovascular fitness without depleting energy stores needed for competition. Therefore, jogging for 15-minutes is justified as it will sustain any endurance base without overexertion or metabolic stress.

Strategies and Tactics:

  • Defensive positioning drills reinforce game plans through mental rehearsal and light movement patterns. Practice reinforces that walk-through scenarios prepare athletes tactically without physical stress or energy expenditure.

Reinforcement:

  • These justified activities balance competition preparation with athlete readiness, ensuring optimal performance whilst preventing overtraining and injury risk before competition day.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, TIP 2020 HSC 31aii

Explain how training innovations can improve an athlete's performance.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Training innovations enable athletes to optimise their preparation through advanced monitoring and analysis systems. This occurs because modern technology provides precise data about physiological responses during training.
  • Heart rate variability monitoring leads to personalised training loads that prevent overtraining. This triggers improved recovery patterns and produces consistent performance gains.
  • GPS tracking systems cause coaches to analyse movement patterns and create sport-specific training programs.
  • Biomechanical analysis using video technology results in technique refinement and injury prevention. This process ensures athletes can identify movement inefficiencies and enables targeted corrections. Therefore, swimmers using underwater cameras can improve stroke mechanics and reduce drag.
  • Lactate testing generates precise training zones that allow athletes to train at optimal intensities. This mechanism helps endurance athletes maximise aerobic capacity development whilst avoiding excessive fatigue that hinders performance improvement.
Show Worked Solution
  • Training innovations enable athletes to optimise their preparation through advanced monitoring and analysis systems. This occurs because modern technology provides precise data about physiological responses during training.
  • Heart rate variability monitoring leads to personalised training loads that prevent overtraining. This triggers improved recovery patterns and produces consistent performance gains.
  • GPS tracking systems cause coaches to analyse movement patterns and create sport-specific training programs.
  • Biomechanical analysis using video technology results in technique refinement and injury prevention. This process ensures athletes can identify movement inefficiencies and enables targeted corrections. Therefore, swimmers using underwater cameras can improve stroke mechanics and reduce drag.
  • Lactate testing generates precise training zones that allow athletes to train at optimal intensities. This mechanism helps endurance athletes maximise aerobic capacity development whilst avoiding excessive fatigue that hinders performance improvement.

♦♦ Mean mark44 %.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 28b

Analyse how young people can attain better health by developing connectedness, resilience and coping skills, and health literacy skills.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

Overview Statement:

  • Connectedness, resilience and coping skills, and health literacy work together to help young people overcome health challenges.
  • These skills combine to address mental health issues, substance use, and risk-taking behaviours that commonly affect youth populations.

Component Relationship 1:

  • Connectedness directly influences young people’s mental health outcomes through social support networks and meaningful relationships. This occurs because strong family relationships and peer connections provide emotional stability during adolescent transitions and identity formation.
  • A young person with close friendships experiences reduced isolation and gains access to help-seeking opportunities when facing difficulties. This relationship demonstrates that connectedness can prevent suicide ideation and promotes positive identity development through belonging.
  • Therefore, young people who maintain strong social bonds are more likely to seek help during crisis periods and develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress management.
  • Additionally, connected youth demonstrate lower rates of substance abuse and engage more frequently in protective health behaviours.

Component Relationship 2:

  • Health literacy skills enable young people to make informed decisions about substance use, sexual health and mental wellbeing. This works by providing knowledge about risks, protective strategies and available health services.
  • A health-literate teenager can evaluate information about alcohol effects and choose safer consumption levels or abstinence. This interaction connects to resilience development as young people learn to resist peer pressure through informed decision-making and critical thinking.
  • The significance is that health literacy empowers young people to navigate complex health information and apply evidence-based strategies to their lifestyle choices.
  • Furthermore, health-literate youth demonstrate improved help-seeking behaviours and utilise appropriate health services more effectively.

Implications and Synthesis:

  • These skills work as an integrated system where connectedness provides support networks, resilience offers coping capacity during challenges and health literacy supplies knowledge for informed decision-making.
  • The broader implication is that developing all three areas creates comprehensive protection against youth health risks and enables sustainable wellbeing throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement:

  • Connectedness, resilience and coping skills, and health literacy work together to help young people overcome health challenges.
  • These skills combine to address mental health issues, substance use, and risk-taking behaviours that commonly affect youth populations.

Component Relationship 1:

  • Connectedness directly influences young people’s mental health outcomes through social support networks and meaningful relationships. This occurs because strong family relationships and peer connections provide emotional stability during adolescent transitions and identity formation.
  • A young person with close friendships experiences reduced isolation and gains access to help-seeking opportunities when facing difficulties. This relationship demonstrates that connectedness can prevent suicide ideation and promotes positive identity development through belonging.
  • Therefore, young people who maintain strong social bonds are more likely to seek help during crisis periods and develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress management.
  • Additionally, connected youth demonstrate lower rates of substance abuse and engage more frequently in protective health behaviours.

Component Relationship 2:

  • Health literacy skills enable young people to make informed decisions about substance use, sexual health and mental wellbeing. This works by providing knowledge about risks, protective strategies and available health services.
  • A health-literate teenager can evaluate information about alcohol effects and choose safer consumption levels or abstinence. This interaction connects to resilience development as young people learn to resist peer pressure through informed decision-making and critical thinking.
  • The significance is that health literacy empowers young people to navigate complex health information and apply evidence-based strategies to their lifestyle choices.
  • Furthermore, health-literate youth demonstrate improved help-seeking behaviours and utilise appropriate health services more effectively.

Implications and Synthesis:

  • These skills work as an integrated system where connectedness provides support networks, resilience offers coping capacity during challenges and health literacy supplies knowledge for informed decision-making.
  • The broader implication is that developing all three areas creates comprehensive protection against youth health risks and enables sustainable wellbeing throughout adolescence and into adulthood.

♦♦ Mean mark 52%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 28aii

Compare the health status of young people with the health status of individuals in a different age group.   (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

Similarities:

  • Both young people (15-24 years) and older adults (65+ years) experience gender differences in health outcomes, with males having higher mortality rates in both age groups.
  • Both groups utilise healthcare services regularly, though for different reasons.

Differences:

  • Young people’s leading mortality causes are preventable injuries and suicide, whilst older adults die primarily from chronic diseases like coronary heart disease and cancer.
  • Mental health conditions dominate young people’s morbidity patterns, including anxiety and depression.
  • Older adults experience chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Young people have lower healthcare utilisation rates but higher emergency department presentations for injuries.
  • Older adults have frequent GP visits and higher hospitalisation rates for chronic disease management.
  • Young people’s health risks stem from behavioural factors, whilst older adults face age-related physiological decline and accumulated lifestyle effects.
Show Worked Solution

Similarities:

  • Both young people (15-24 years) and older adults (65+ years) experience gender differences in health outcomes, with males having higher mortality rates in both age groups.
  • Both groups utilise healthcare services regularly, though for different reasons.

Differences:

  • Young people’s leading mortality causes are preventable injuries and suicide, whilst older adults die primarily from chronic diseases like coronary heart disease and cancer.
  • Mental health conditions dominate young people’s morbidity patterns, including anxiety and depression.
  • Older adults experience chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Young people have lower healthcare utilisation rates but higher emergency department presentations for injuries.
  • Older adults have frequent GP visits and higher hospitalisation rates for chronic disease management.
  • Young people’s health risks stem from behavioural factors, whilst older adults face age-related physiological decline and accumulated lifestyle effects.

♦♦ Mean mark 45%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 28ai

Outline the current patterns of mortality for young people.   (3 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • Young males aged 15-24 years experience higher mortality rates than females due to greater risk-taking behaviours.
  • Intentional self-harm (suicide) represents the leading cause of death among young people, with rates increasing over recent years. Males have suicide rates approximately three times higher than females.
  • Land transport accidents constitute the second leading cause of mortality, predominantly affecting males through motor vehicle crashes.
  • Deaths from accidental poisoning, commonly linked to alcohol and drug use, rank third among young people.
  • Overall mortality patterns show preventable causes dominating young people’s deaths, contrasting with chronic disease patterns seen in older populations.
Show Worked Solution
  • Young males aged 15-24 years experience higher mortality rates than females due to greater risk-taking behaviours.
  • Intentional self-harm (suicide) represents the leading cause of death among young people, with rates increasing over recent years. Males have suicide rates approximately three times higher than females.
  • Land transport accidents constitute the second leading cause of mortality, predominantly affecting males through motor vehicle crashes.
  • Deaths from accidental poisoning, commonly linked to alcohol and drug use, rank third among young people.
  • Overall mortality patterns show preventable causes dominating young people’s deaths, contrasting with chronic disease patterns seen in older populations.

♦♦ Mean mark 45%.

HMS, BM 2020 HSC 27

Analyse how different types of feedback affect a learner’s progress through the stages of skill acquisition. Provide examples to support your answer.  (8 marks)

Show Answers Only

Overview Statement:

  • Different feedback types interact with learner characteristics at each skill acquisition stage.
  • Beginners require external coaching feedback, while skilled performers rely on internal feel, and timing determines learning effectiveness.

Component Relationship 1:

  • External delayed feedback strongly supports cognitive stage learners acquiring basketball dribbling skills. This leads to coaches providing knowledge of results after practice attempts, informing beginners about successful repetitions. The delayed timing enables learners to process technical corrections without overwhelming their limited attention capacity. This relationship shows that external guidance prevents error reinforcement and promotes correct technique development. Therefore, cognitive stage learners depend on external feedback sources to understand skill requirements and progress towards the associative stage more efficiently.

Component Relationship 2:

Internal concurrent feedback becomes increasingly important as learners advance through associative to autonomous stages. This occurs because experienced performers develop kinaesthetic awareness during skill execution. A tennis player relies on feel and proprioception during stroke production, enabling immediate self-correction. This interaction allows autonomous performers to maintain consistency without external intervention. Consequently, over-reliance on external feedback at advanced stages can disrupt automatic movement patterns and hinder performance refinement.

Implications and Synthesis:

These relationships demonstrate that feedback effectiveness depends on matching type and timing to learner developmental stage. The significance is that inappropriate feedback can impede skill acquisition progress, while optimal feedback combinations accelerate learning transitions between stages.

Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement:

  • Different feedback types interact with learner characteristics at each skill acquisition stage.
  • Beginners require external coaching feedback, while skilled performers rely on internal feel, and timing determines learning effectiveness.

Component Relationship 1:

  • External delayed feedback strongly supports cognitive stage learners acquiring basketball dribbling skills. This leads to coaches providing knowledge of results after practice attempts, informing beginners about successful repetitions.
  • The delayed timing enables learners to process technical corrections without overwhelming their limited attention capacity. This relationship shows that external guidance prevents error reinforcement and promotes correct technique development.
  • Therefore, cognitive stage learners depend on external feedback sources to understand skill requirements and progress towards the associative stage more efficiently.

Component Relationship 2:

  • Internal concurrent feedback becomes increasingly important as learners advance through associative to autonomous stages. This occurs because experienced performers develop kinaesthetic awareness during skill execution.
  • A tennis player relies on feel and proprioception during stroke production, enabling immediate self-correction. This interaction allows autonomous performers to maintain consistency without external intervention.
  • Consequently, over-reliance on external feedback at advanced stages can disrupt automatic movement patterns and hinder performance refinement.

Implications and Synthesis:

  • These relationships demonstrate that feedback effectiveness depends on matching type and timing to learner developmental stage.
  • The significance is that inappropriate feedback can impede skill acquisition progress, while optimal feedback combinations accelerate learning transitions between stages.

♦♦ Mean mark 42%.

HMS, TIP 2020 HSC 24

Explain how TWO flexibility training methods can improve the performance of an athlete in ONE sport. Provide examples to support your answer.  (5 marks)

Show Answers Only

Any TWO of the following – Sport choice – Tennis

Dynamic stretching

  • Involves continuous movement through range of motion to prepare muscles for activity. This occurs because the controlled movements gradually increase muscle temperature and blood flow. A tennis player performing leg swings leads to improved hip flexibility and hamstring length. The result is enhanced stride length during court coverage and the production of more powerful serves through increased shoulder rotation. As a result, the athlete can cover the court more efficiently and hit winners from wider positions.

PNF stretching

  • Combines passive stretching with isometric muscle contractions against resistance. This works by overriding the stretch reflex, allowing muscles to relax and lengthen further. A tennis player using PNF for shoulder flexibility creates greater racquet head speed during groundstrokes. The reason for this is increased range of motion at the shoulder joint enables fuller backswing and follow-through movements. Consequently, the athlete generates more power and accuracy in shot placement whilst reducing injury risk.

Static stretching

  • Involves holding muscles in lengthened positions for extended periods. This happens when muscle fibres gradually relax under sustained tension. A tennis player performing static calf stretches results in improved ankle flexibility for better court movement. This mechanism allows enhanced push-off power during explosive directional changes. Therefore, the athlete achieves faster acceleration and deceleration, improving reaction time to opponent shots and reducing lower limb injury risk.

Ballistic stretching

  • Uses bouncing movements to force muscles beyond normal range of motion. This works through momentum forcing muscle lengthening beyond typical limits. A tennis player using controlled arm circles causes increased shoulder mobility for overhead shots. This process enables greater racquet extension during serves and smashes. As a consequence, the athlete generates higher ball velocity and improved court angles whilst maintaining technique consistency.
Show Worked Solution

Any TWO of the following – Sport choice – Tennis

Dynamic stretching

  • Involves continuous movement through range of motion to prepare muscles for activity. This occurs because the controlled movements gradually increase muscle temperature and blood flow. A tennis player performing leg swings leads to improved hip flexibility and hamstring length. The result is enhanced stride length during court coverage and the production of more powerful serves through increased shoulder rotation. As a result, the athlete can cover the court more efficiently and hit winners from wider positions.

PNF stretching

  • Combines passive stretching with isometric muscle contractions against resistance. This works by overriding the stretch reflex, allowing muscles to relax and lengthen further. A tennis player using PNF for shoulder flexibility creates greater racquet head speed during groundstrokes. The reason for this is increased range of motion at the shoulder joint enables fuller backswing and follow-through movements. Consequently, the athlete generates more power and accuracy in shot placement whilst reducing injury risk.

Static stretching

  • Involves holding muscles in lengthened positions for extended periods. This happens when muscle fibres gradually relax under sustained tension. A tennis player performing static calf stretches results in improved ankle flexibility for better court movement. This mechanism allows enhanced push-off power during explosive directional changes. Therefore, the athlete achieves faster acceleration and deceleration, improving reaction time to opponent shots and reducing lower limb injury risk.

Ballistic stretching

  • Uses bouncing movements to force muscles beyond normal range of motion. This works through momentum forcing muscle lengthening beyond typical limits. A tennis player using controlled arm circles causes increased shoulder mobility for overhead shots. This process enables greater racquet extension during serves and smashes. As a consequence, the athlete generates higher ball velocity and improved court angles whilst maintaining technique consistency.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, BM 2020 HSC 23

An athlete ran in the 100-metre final at an Olympic Games.

  1. In the table below, identify the predominant energy system used by the athlete,
    and the features of that energy system.   (3 marks)

    Predominant energy system used by this athlete  
    Source of fuel  
    Energy system duration  
    Cause of fatigue  
    Rate of recovery  
  2. Compare how anxiety and arousal may have affected the athlete’s performance
    when competing in this 100-metre final. Provide examples to support your
    answer.   (4 marks)

Show Answers Only
a.   
 Predominant energy system used by this athlete ATP-PCr system (Alactacid system)
  Source of fuel Creatine phosphate (CP)
  Energy system duration 6-12 seconds
  Cause of fatigue Depletion of creatine phosphate stores
  Rate of recovery 2-3 minutes for complete recovery

b.    Similarities:

  • Both anxiety and arousal can negatively impact the sprinter’s performance if levels become too high.
  • Both factors influence the athlete’s ability to execute optimal technique and can cause muscle tension that restricts smooth movement patterns during the race.

Differences:

  • Anxiety is a psychological state involving fear and worry about competitive outcome. High anxiety may cause the sprinter to overthink race strategy, leading to delayed reaction time from starting blocks and mental distraction affecting stride mechanics.
  • Arousal refers to physiological activation levels. Optimal arousal enhances alertness and muscle readiness for explosive starts. However, excessive arousal creates physical tension that reduces stride length and power output through restricted movement patterns.
Show Worked Solution
a.   
 Predominant energy system used by this athlete ATP-PCr system (Alactacid system)
  Source of fuel Creatine phosphate (CP)
  Energy system duration 6-12 seconds
  Cause of fatigue Depletion of creatine phosphate stores
  Rate of recovery 2-3 minutes for complete recovery

b.    Similarities:

  • Both anxiety and arousal can negatively impact the sprinter’s performance if levels become too high.
  • Both factors influence the athlete’s ability to execute optimal technique and can cause muscle tension that restricts smooth movement patterns during the race.

Differences:

  • Anxiety is a psychological state involving fear and worry about competitive outcome. High anxiety may cause the sprinter to overthink race strategy, leading to delayed reaction time from starting blocks and mental distraction affecting stride mechanics.
  • Arousal refers to physiological activation levels. Optimal arousal enhances alertness and muscle readiness for explosive starts. However, excessive arousal creates physical tension that reduces stride length and power output through restricted movement patterns.

♦♦ Mean mark 49%.

PHYSICS, M3 EQ-Bank 9 MC

A sealed metal container holds a fixed mass of gas. The gas is heated, causing its temperature and pressure to increase. Which of the following best explains this change using principles of thermodynamics?

  1. The gas particles gain kinetic energy, move faster, and collide more frequently and forcefully with the container walls, increasing pressure.
  2. The gas expands to occupy a larger volume, so pressure increases as the particles spread out.
  3. Heating the gas creates more gas particles, which increases the pressure inside the container.
  4. The gas becomes more dense as temperature increases, causing the pressure to rise.
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • When the gas is heated, the thermal energy is transferred to the gas particles, increasing their average kinetic energy.
  • As a result, the particles move faster and collide more frequently and with greater force against the walls of the sealed container.
  • Since pressure is defined as the force per unit area exerted by particles on the container walls, this increase in collision frequency and force leads to a rise in pressure.
  • B is incorrect because it is not as clear an explanation as option A. C is incorrect as the number of gas particles is constant. D is incorrect because gases become less dense as they expand with temperature.

\(\Rightarrow A\)

PHYSICS, M3 EQ-Bank 7 MC

Which of the following statements about energy transfer is the most accurate?

  1. Conduction and convection require a medium; radiation does not.
  2. Convection transfers energy through direct contact.
  3. Conduction occurs only in gases.
  4. Radiation requires denser materials for faster energy transfer.
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • Option A is correct: Radiation involves the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves that can occur through a vacuum. Conduction and convection require a medium.
  • Other options:
  • Conduction involves the transfer of thermal energy through direct particle-to-particle contact. It occurs in solids (especially metals) and, to a lesser extent, in liquids and gases, but always requires a material medium.
  • Convection occurs in fluids (liquids and gases), where warmer, less dense regions rise and cooler, denser regions sink, transferring heat through bulk movement of the medium itself.
  • B is incorrect because convection involves the bulk movement of fluids, not direct contact between particles (which describes conduction).
  • C is incorrect because conduction occurs best in solids, not gases, since solids have tightly packed particles that transfer energy more efficiently.
  • D is incorrect because radiation does not require any material medium and  transfers energy most efficiently through a vacuum.

\(\Rightarrow A\)

PHYSICS, M3 EQ-Bank 9 MC

A tuning fork is struck and held close to a candle flame. The flame begins to vibrate back and forth rhythmically. Which statement best explains this observation?

  1. Transverse sound waves from the fork create vibrations perpendicular to the direction of travel, disturbing the flame.
  2. Longitudinal sound waves cause alternating compressions and rarefactions in the air, producing pressure variations that move the flame.
  3. The vibrating fork generates thermal energy that heats the surrounding air and makes the flame oscillate.
  4. Air molecules emitted by the fork move in a stream toward the flame, transferring momentum and displacing it.
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • Sound propagates through air as a longitudinal wave. In a longitudinal wave, air particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction as the wave’s motion, creating alternating regions of compression (high pressure) and rarefaction (low pressure).
  • These periodic pressure variations travel through the air and cause small oscillations in objects they encounter, like the candle flame.
  • The flame responds to the changing air pressure by moving rhythmically back and forth. It is not being pushed by a stream of air or heated; rather, it is reacting to oscillating pressure from the sound wave generated by the vibrating tuning fork.

\(\Rightarrow B\)

PHYSICS, M4 EQ-Bank 13

A student places a small compass on a horizontal cardboard sheet that has a vertical current-carrying wire passing through its centre. The student moves the compass in a circular path around the wire.

Explain what happens to the compass needle as it moves around the wire and account for this behaviour using the magnetic field produced by the current.   (3 marks)

Show Answers Only
  • As compass is moved around the wire, the needle aligns tangentially to a circular path centred on the wire.
  • This occurs because the current in the wire produces a magnetic field with concentric circular field lines in the plane of the cardboard. According to the right-hand grip rule, the direction of these field lines depends on the direction of current flow.
  • The compass needle aligns with the local direction of the magnetic field at each point, always pointing along the tangent to the circular field line.
Show Worked Solution
  • As compass is moved around the wire, the needle aligns tangentially to a circular path centred on the wire.
  • This occurs because the current in the wire produces a magnetic field with concentric circular field lines in the plane of the cardboard. According to the right-hand grip rule, the direction of these field lines depends on the direction of current flow.
  • The compass needle aligns with the local direction of the magnetic field at each point, always pointing along the tangent to the circular field line.

HMS, HIC 2022 HSC 18 MC

The graph shows the mortality rate and projected trajectory to the year 2031 for Indigenous Australians.

Which of the following was the most significant factor that contributed to the trend in the mortality rate for Indigenous Australians from 1998-2005?

  1. More Indigenous Australian students completed Year 12
  2. The Australian Government's implementation of the Closing the Gap framework
  3. Increased childhood immunisation rates among Indigenous populations in Australia
  4. Improvement in the early detection and management of chronic disease for Indigenous Australians
Show Answers Only

\( D \)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct: Early detection and chronic disease management directly reduces mortality rates.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Education improvements have longer-term rather than immediate mortality impact.
  • B is incorrect: Closing the Gap was implemented after 2008, not 1998-2005.
  • C is incorrect: Immunisation affects childhood mortality, not overall population trends.

♦♦ Mean mark 40%.