smc-5469-10-Physical activity

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 085

Evaluate the effectiveness of biomechanical principles in improving movement efficiency across physical activity, sport-specific movements and functional movements. Provide examples to support your response. (8 marks)

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Evaluation Statement

Biomechanical principles are highly effective in improving movement efficiency.
This is judged by their ability to reduce injury, sustain performance and optimise energy use.
Evidence from physical activity, sport-specific skills and functional tasks shows strong success with only minor limitations.

Injury reduction and sustained movement

Biomechanics is highly effective in lowering injury risk while enabling sustained effort.
Evidence supporting this includes recreational running (physical activity), where correct posture and light foot strike reduce joint stress and delay fatigue.
Similarly, when lifting (functional activity), bending at the hips with a wide base of support protects the spine.
These examples successfully address the biomechanical principle of sustaining movement safely.
The evidence indicates biomechanics not only prevents breakdown but also improves long-term participation.

Optimising energy and performance

Biomechanical principles also improve efficiency by reducing wasted energy.
A clear example is competitive swimming (sport-specific), where streamlining reduces drag and lowers fatigue.
In tennis (sport-specific), correct force transfer during a serve generates more power with less strain.
These applications adequately fulfil the goal of sustaining performance under pressure.
However, effectiveness depends coaches teaching the correct technique as well as poor execution limiting benefits.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows biomechanics is a highly effective tool across all movement types.
While its success depends on proper teaching and practice, its strengths clearly outweigh limitations.
The overall evaluation demonstrates biomechanics is essential for improving efficiency, performance and reducing injury. These benefits cover daily life movements as well as elite sport and recreational activity.

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Evaluation Statement

Biomechanical principles are highly effective in improving movement efficiency.
This is judged by their ability to reduce injury, sustain performance and optimise energy use.
Evidence from physical activity, sport-specific skills and functional tasks shows strong success with only minor limitations.

Injury reduction and sustained movement

Biomechanics is highly effective in lowering injury risk while enabling sustained effort.
Evidence supporting this includes recreational running (physical activity), where correct posture and light foot strike reduce joint stress and delay fatigue.
Similarly, when lifting (functional activity), bending at the hips with a wide base of support protects the spine.
These examples successfully address the biomechanical principle of sustaining movement safely.
The evidence indicates biomechanics not only prevents breakdown but also improves long-term participation.

Optimising energy and performance

Biomechanical principles also improve efficiency by reducing wasted energy.
A clear example is competitive swimming (sport-specific), where streamlining reduces drag and lowers fatigue.
In tennis (sport-specific), correct force transfer during a serve generates more power with less strain.
These applications adequately fulfil the goal of sustaining performance under pressure.
However, effectiveness depends coaches teaching the correct technique as well as poor execution limiting benefits.

Final Evaluation

Weighing these factors shows biomechanics is a highly effective tool across all movement types.
While its success depends on proper teaching and practice, its strengths clearly outweigh limitations.
The overall evaluation demonstrates biomechanics is essential for improving efficiency, performance and reducing injury. These benefits cover daily life movements as well as elite sport and recreational activity.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 082

Explain the role of biomechanics in developing efficient movements across both physical activity and functional movement. (5 marks)

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Biomechanics improves efficiency by analysing how the body moves. This occurs because correct technique reduces wasted energy and prevents poor posture.
In physical activity, biomechanics refines technique so people can move for longer. This leads to less fatigue and more consistent performance.
For instance, when a recreational runner keeps an upright posture and relaxed shoulders, energy is saved. As a result, the runner can sustain movement over long distances.
In functional movements, biomechanics focuses on safe and effective body positions. This is due to the need to protect joints during daily tasks.
A good example is climbing stairs with an upright back and full foot contact on each step. This creates better force transfer and lowers injury risk.
In these ways, biomechanics plays a significant role in sustaining safe, efficient movement in both recreational exercise and everyday life.

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Biomechanics improves efficiency by analysing how the body moves. This occurs because correct technique reduces wasted energy and prevents poor posture.
In physical activity, biomechanics refines technique so people can move for longer. This leads to less fatigue and more consistent performance.
For instance, when a recreational runner keeps an upright posture and relaxed shoulders, energy is saved. As a result, the runner can sustain movement over long distances.
In functional movements, biomechanics focuses on safe and effective body positions. This is due to the need to protect joints during daily tasks.
A good example is climbing stairs with an upright back and full foot contact on each step. This creates better force transfer and lowers injury risk.
In these ways, biomechanics plays a significant role in sustaining safe, efficient movement in both recreational exercise and everyday life.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 080

Describe two biomechanical principles that help a recreational runner sustain movement and reduce fatigue during longer runs. (4 marks)

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Posture and balance

Keeping an upright body position with relaxed shoulders helps maintain alignment.
This reduces unnecessary muscle tension in the neck and chest. It also prevents wasted energy and delays fatigue during the run.

Force application

Landing lightly on the feet reduces the reactive force from the ground. This lowers stress on joints and muscles.
Using less force to push off also reduces energy expenditure.
Both adjustments allow the runner to move more efficiently and keep running for longer.

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Posture and balance

Keeping an upright body position with relaxed shoulders helps maintain alignment.
This reduces unnecessary muscle tension in the neck and chest. It also prevents wasted energy and delays fatigue during the run.

Force application

Landing lightly on the feet reduces the reactive force from the ground. This lowers stress on joints and muscles.
Using less force to push off also reduces energy expenditure.
Both adjustments allow the runner to move more efficiently and keep running for longer.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 079

Describe how biomechanics can be applied to improve technique and performance in recreational swimming. (4 marks)

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Reducing drag: Keeping the body streamlined with hips lifted decreases resistance in the water. This allows smoother, faster movement.
Arm technique: Using slightly cupped hands in a sculling position improves the “catch” of the water. This increases propulsion with less effort.
Leg action: A tight, pointed-toe kick keeps the legs close together. This prevents wasted energy and reduces splash.
Breathing technique: Turning the head just to the side avoids lifting it too high. This keeps the body streamlined and reduces fatigue.

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Reducing drag: Keeping the body streamlined with hips lifted decreases resistance in the water. This allows smoother, faster movement.
Arm technique: Using slightly cupped hands in a sculling position improves the “catch” of the water. This increases propulsion with less effort.
Leg action: A tight, pointed-toe kick keeps the legs close together. This prevents wasted energy and reduces splash.
Breathing technique: Turning the head just to the side avoids lifting it too high. This keeps the body streamlined and reduces fatigue.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 078

Outline two ways in which biomechanical principles can improve the functional movement of climbing a flight of stairs. (3 marks)

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Posture and alignment: Keeping the back upright and shins vertical reduces stress on the knees and spine. This helps the body move more efficiently and lowers injury risk.
Force application: Placing the whole foot on each step allows greater force transfer through the legs. This improves power, reduces fatigue, and makes the climb smoother.
Both principles help sustain movement and improve safety in everyday stair climbing.

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Posture and alignment: Keeping the back upright and shins vertical reduces stress on the knees and spine. This helps the body move more efficiently and lowers injury risk.
Force application: Placing the whole foot on each step allows greater force transfer through the legs. This improves power, reduces fatigue, and makes the climb smoother.
Both principles help sustain movement and improve safety in everyday stair climbing.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 077

Outline how the biomechanical principle of balance and stability can contribute to sustained movement in recreational physical activity, giving examples. (3 marks)

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Balance keeps the body aligned, preventing falls or loss of control.
Example: In yoga or Pilates, balance enables individuals to achieve stretching positions in steady and stable way.
Stability comes from a strong core and a solid base of support. Good balance and stability reduce wasted energy. This helps delay fatigue and allows for longer duration movement that is safe.
Example: In hiking, stability reduces the risk of slips on uneven ground, particularly as an individual becomes tired.

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Balance keeps the body aligned, preventing falls or loss of control.
Example: In yoga or Pilates, balance enables individuals to achieve stretching positions in steady and stable way.
Stability comes from a strong core and a solid base of support. Good balance and stability reduce wasted energy. This helps delay fatigue and allows for longer duration movement that is safe.
Example: In hiking, stability reduces the risk of slips on uneven ground, particularly as an individual becomes tired.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 097 MC

In Pilates, balance and stability help sustain controlled movement because:

The wider base of support reduces energy needed for force generation
Proper posture distributes body weight evenly, lowering fatigue in supporting muscles
Greater ground reaction force improves concentric muscle contractions
Core strength prevents loss of form and flow in exercises

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\(D\)

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D is correct: Engaging the core muscles maintains alignment and control during positions and movements required in Pilates.

Other options:

A is incorrect: A wider base of support can increase stability, but Pilates focuses on core engagement, not reducing force generation.
B is incorrect: Proper posture does reduce fatigue, but this supports endurance generally, not the balance and stability specifically required for controlled Pilates movement.
C is incorrect: Ground reaction force applies more to activities like running or jumping, not controlled Pilates exercises.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 090 MC

A recreational swimmer wants to reduce fatigue during long-distance swimming. Which technique modification would be most effective?

Increasing kick frequency to generate more propulsion
Keeping legs and hips low in the water
Breathing on both left and right sides
Maintaining a streamlined position with high hips

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\(D\)

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D is correct: Maintaining a streamlined position with high hips reduces drag significantly, requiring less energy expenditure for sustained movement.

Other options:

A is incorrect: Increasing kick frequency raises energy expenditure and oxygen consumption, accelerating fatigue rather than reducing it during long-distance swimming.
B is incorrect: Keeping legs and hips low increases drag as more body surface area opposes forward motion, requiring greater effort to maintain speed.
C is incorrect: While bilateral breathing can help with balance, it doesn’t directly reduce fatigue as much as minimising drag through proper body position.

HMS, TIP EQ-Bank 089 MC

Which combination of biomechanical principles best explains efficient running technique for sustained movement?

Relaxed shoulders and light foot landing
Maximum force application and minimal arm movement
Forward lean and tensed hands
High knee lift and maximum ground contact time

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\(A\)

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A is correct: Relaxed shoulders and light foot landing reduce muscle tension and impact forces, minimising energy expenditure and fatigue.

Other options:

A is incorrect: Maximum force application increases fatigue and energy cost, while minimal arm movement disrupts natural balance and momentum that aids efficient running.
C is incorrect: Forward lean compromises posture and breathing efficiency, while tensed hands create unnecessary muscle tension that spreads to arms and shoulders, increasing fatigue.
D is incorrect: High knee lift and maximum ground contact time both increase energy expenditure and reduce running economy, leading to faster fatigue during sustained movement.