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HMS, BM EQ-Bank 823

Analyse how flexion and extension at different joints are coordinated during the action of throwing a ball.   (5 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • Initial preparation involves shoulder extension as the arm moves backward, while the elbow undergoes flexion to position the ball behind the body.
  • The throwing sequence begins with rotation of the trunk, followed by shoulder flexion as the arm moves forward from its extended position.
  • The elbow transitions from flexion to rapid extension, propelling the forearm and hand forward with increasing velocity.
  • The wrist moves from extension to flexion at the point of release, adding final acceleration to the ball.
  • This coordinated sequence of flexion and extension across multiple joints creates a kinetic chain, transferring energy efficiently from the larger muscles of the trunk to the smaller muscles of the arm and hand, maximising throwing velocity.
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Sample Answer

  • Initial preparation involves shoulder extension as the arm moves backward, while the elbow undergoes flexion to position the ball behind the body.
  • The throwing sequence begins with rotation of the trunk, followed by shoulder flexion as the arm moves forward from its extended position.
  • The elbow transitions from flexion to rapid extension, propelling the forearm and hand forward with increasing velocity.
  • The wrist moves from extension to flexion at the point of release, adding final acceleration to the ball.
  • This coordinated sequence of flexion and extension across multiple joints creates a kinetic chain, transferring energy efficiently from the larger muscles of the trunk to the smaller muscles of the arm and hand, maximising throwing velocity.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 822

Explain the joint actions that occur at the knee and ankle when performing a vertical jump.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • During the preparatory phase of a vertical jump, the knee undergoes flexion as the angle between the femur and tibia decreases, preparing to generate force.
  • Simultaneously, the ankle joint undergoes dorsiflexion as the foot tilts upward, increasing the angle between the foot and the leg.
  • In the propulsive phase, the knee undergoes powerful extension as the angle increases, straightening the leg and driving the body upward.
  • The ankle simultaneously performs plantar flexion, decreasing the angle as the foot pushes against the ground, adding additional propulsive force to the jump.
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Sample Answer

  • During the preparatory phase of a vertical jump, the knee undergoes flexion as the angle between the femur and tibia decreases, preparing to generate force.
  • Simultaneously, the ankle joint undergoes dorsiflexion as the foot tilts upward, increasing the angle between the foot and the leg.
  • In the propulsive phase, the knee undergoes powerful extension as the angle increases, straightening the leg and driving the body upward.
  • The ankle simultaneously performs plantar flexion, decreasing the angle as the foot pushes against the ground, adding additional propulsive force to the jump.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 821 MC

When performing a bicep curl, which joint action occurs at the elbow as the weight is raised toward the shoulder?

  1. Extension
  2. Flexion
  3. Adduction
  4. Abduction
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Consider Option B: 

  • Flexion refers to decreasing the angle of a joint, which occurs at the elbow when performing a bicep curl as the forearm moves closer to the upper arm.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Extension involves increasing the angle at a joint, which would occur when lowering the weight, not raising it.
  • C is incorrect: Adduction refers to movement toward the midline of the body, which is not relevant to the elbow joint during a bicep curl.
  • D is incorrect: Abduction refers to movement away from the midline of the body, which is not relevant to the elbow joint during a bicep curl.

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)

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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.
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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)

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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.
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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)

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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)

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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.
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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?

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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.

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
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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.