SmarterEd

Aussie Maths & Science Teachers: Save your time with SmarterEd

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 25

A volleyball player performs a spike at the net. Describe the sequence of joint actions that occur at the shoulder and elbow during this movement.  (3 marks)

Show Answers Only

Sample answer

  • The volleyball spike begins with the shoulder joint in extension as the arm is drawn back behind the body.
  • As the arm moves forward to contact the ball, the shoulder undergoes flexion while simultaneously the elbow joint moves from flexion to extension.
  • The power generated through this coordinated sequence of joint actions enables the player to strike the ball with force while maintaining control through the movement.
Show Worked Solution

Sample answer

  • The volleyball spike begins with the shoulder joint in extension as the arm is drawn back behind the body.
  • As the arm moves forward to contact the ball, the shoulder undergoes flexion while simultaneously the elbow joint moves from flexion to extension.
  • The power generated through this coordinated sequence of joint actions enables the player to strike the ball with force while maintaining control through the movement.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 24

Outline how the structure of ball and socket joints enables a greater range of movement than hinge joints. Support your response with examples.  (3 marks)

Show Answers Only

Sample answer

  • Ball and socket joints have a rounded head of one bone fitting into a cup-like socket of another bone which allows movement in multiple planes.
  • Hinge joints primarily allow movement in one plane, however, ball and socket joints permit flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction.
  • For example, the hip joint allows the leg to move in all directions while the hinge joint of the knee only allows flexion and extension, demonstrating how structural differences impact movement capabilities.
Show Worked Solution

Sample answer

  • Ball and socket joints have a rounded head of one bone fitting into a cup-like socket of another bone which allows movement in multiple planes.
  • Hinge joints primarily allow movement in one plane, however, ball and socket joints permit flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction.
  • For example, the hip joint allows the leg to move in all directions while the hinge joint of the knee only allows flexion and extension, demonstrating how structural differences impact movement capabilities.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 22

Analyse how the coordination of joint actions at the hip, knee and ankle contributes to the generation of power in a vertical jump. Use biomechanical principles in your response.  (3 marks)

Show Answers Only

Sample Answer

Vertical jump

  • Begins with simultaneous flexion at the hip, knee and ankle joints, creating a pre-stretch that enables the stretch-shortening cycle to be utilised.
  • The sequential extension of these joints follows a proximal-to-distal sequence
    • Starting with powerful hip extension
    • Followed by knee extension and ankle plantarflexion.
  • This coordinated triple extension allows for optimal force summation through the kinetic chain, maximizing the vertical displacement achieved in the jump.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

Vertical jump

  • Begins with simultaneous flexion at the hip, knee and ankle joints, creating a pre-stretch that enables the stretch-shortening cycle to be utilised.
  • The sequential extension of these joints follows a proximal-to-distal sequence
    • Starting with powerful hip extension
    • Followed by knee extension and ankle plantarflexion.
  • This coordinated triple extension allows for optimal force summation through the kinetic chain, maximizing the vertical displacement achieved in the jump.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 21

Outline the joint actions that occur at the knee and ankle when performing a squat.  (3 marks)

Show Answers Only

Sample Answer

Downward phase

  • Knee joint moves into flexion.
  • Ankle joint performs dorsiflexion.

Upward phase

  • Knee extends.
  • Ankle plantarflexes to return to the starting position.

Joint actions

  • Work together to enable controlled lowering and raising of the body.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

Downward phase

  • Knee joint moves into flexion.
  • Ankle joint performs dorsiflexion.

Upward phase

  • Knee extends.
  • Ankle plantarflexes to return to the starting position.

Joint actions

  • Work together to enable controlled lowering and raising of the body.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 16 MC

Which sequence correctly describes the quadriceps muscle action and knee joint movement when performing a squat?

\begin{align*}
\begin{array}{l}
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \ \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{A.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{B.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{C.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{D.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\end{array}
\begin{array}{|l|l|l|}
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{Descent Phase}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \textbf{Bottom Position}& \textbf{Ascent Phase} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Eccentric}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}&\text{Isometric }&\text{Concentric}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Concentric}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Isometric concentric}&\text{Eccentric}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Isometric}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Eccentric}&\text{Concentric} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Concentric}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Eccentric}&\text{Isometric} \\
\hline
\end{array}
\end{align*}

Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution

During a squat, the quadriceps undergoes three distinct phases of contraction:

Descent phase:

  • Eccentric contraction – muscle lengthens under tension to control downward movement

Bottom position:

  • Isometric contraction – muscle length remains constant to maintain position

Ascent phase:

  • Concentric contraction – muscle shortens to produce force for upward movement against gravity

This sequence enables controlled movement throughout the entire squat pattern while managing forces at each phase.

\(\Rightarrow A\)

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 15 MC

Which type of muscular contraction is occurring in the quadriceps when descending into a squat?

  1. Isometric contraction
  2. Eccentric contraction
  3. Concentric contraction
  4. Dynamic contraction
Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution

During the descent phase of a squat

  • quadriceps muscle lengthens under tension to control the downward movement against gravity
  • controlled lengthening of the muscle while under load is called an eccentric contraction.

\(\Rightarrow B\)

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 14 MC

Which row correctly identifies the action of performing a bicep curl? 

\begin{align*}
\begin{array}{l}
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \ \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{A.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{B.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{C.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{D.}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}\\
\end{array}
\begin{array}{|l|l|l|}
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\textbf{Agonist Muscle}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \textbf{Muscular Contraction}& \textbf{Joint Action} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Biceps brachii}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}&\text{Isometric eccentric}&\text{Elbow extension}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Biceps brachii}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Isometric concentric}&\text{Elbow flexion}\\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Triceps brachii}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Isometric concentric}&\text{Elbow flexion} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex}\text{Triceps brachii}\rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt}& \text{Isometric eccentric}&\text{Elbow extension} \\
\hline
\end{array}
\end{align*}

Show Answers Only

\(B\)

Show Worked Solution

During the upward (concentric) phase of a bicep curl:

  • The biceps brachii is the agonist muscle.
  • It contracts concentrically (shortens) to generate force.
  • This produces elbow flexion to lift the weight.

\(\Rightarrow B\)