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HMS, BM EQ-Bank 839

Evaluate the importance of synergists and stabilisers in complex sporting movements, using specific examples to illustrate your answer.   (8 marks)

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Sample Answer

Evaluation Statement

  • Synergists and stabilisers are highly effective in complex sporting movements.
  • They will be evaluated on injury prevention and performance enhancement criteria.

Injury Prevention

  • Stabilisers strongly meet this criterion through joint protection mechanisms.
  • During overhead throwing, shoulder stabiliser muscles maintain joint position while deltoids generate power.
  • Evidence supporting this includes the prevalence of shoulder injuries when stabiliser strength is inadequate.
  • In weightlifting, core stabilisers including rectus abdominis and erector spinae maintain spinal alignment during heavy lifts.
  • Without adequate stabilisation, prime movers cannot function safely.
  • Tennis players demonstrate how forearm stabilisers prevent injury during repeated racquet impacts.
  • The evidence indicates that stabiliser strength directly prevents injury during dynamic movements.

Performance Enhancement

  • Synergists adequately fulfil performance requirements by optimising force production.
  • During running, muscles work as synergists to assist the quadriceps through each stride, enabling sustained performance.
  • In swimming, latissimus dorsi works with pectorals as synergists during the pull phase, creating more powerful strokes.
  • Basketball players utilise the soleus as a synergist with gastrocnemius for explosive jumping.
  • While strong in power contribution, synergists show limitations in isolation – they cannot replace prime movers (agonists).
  • The overall evaluation demonstrates synergists significantly enhance complex movement patterns.

Final Evaluation

  • Weighing these factors shows synergists and stabilisers are indispensable for athletic performance.
  • The strengths outweigh the weaknesses because they provide both safety and performance benefits simultaneously.
  • Although effective for injury prevention, their greater value lies in enabling athletes to train harder and perform complex movements impossible without their contribution.
  • Overall evaluation: highly effective and essential for all complex sporting movements.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

Evaluation Statement

  • Synergists and stabilisers are highly effective in complex sporting movements.
  • They will be evaluated on injury prevention and performance enhancement criteria.

Injury Prevention

  • Stabilisers strongly meet this criterion through joint protection mechanisms.
  • During overhead throwing, shoulder stabiliser muscles maintain joint position while deltoids generate power.
  • Evidence supporting this includes the prevalence of shoulder injuries when stabiliser strength is inadequate.
  • In weightlifting, core stabilisers including rectus abdominis and erector spinae maintain spinal alignment during heavy lifts.
  • Without adequate stabilisation, prime movers cannot function safely.
  • Tennis players demonstrate how forearm stabilisers prevent injury during repeated racquet impacts.
  • The evidence indicates that stabiliser strength directly prevents injury during dynamic movements.

Performance Enhancement

  • Synergists adequately fulfil performance requirements by optimising force production.
  • During running, muscles work as synergists to assist the quadriceps through each stride, enabling sustained performance.
  • In swimming, latissimus dorsi works with pectorals as synergists during the pull phase, creating more powerful strokes.
  • Basketball players utilise the soleus as a synergist with gastrocnemius for explosive jumping.
  • While strong in power contribution, synergists show limitations in isolation – they cannot replace prime movers (agonists).
  • The overall evaluation demonstrates synergists significantly enhance complex movement patterns.

Final Evaluation

  • Weighing these factors shows synergists and stabilisers are indispensable for athletic performance.
  • The strengths outweigh the weaknesses because they provide both safety and performance benefits simultaneously.
  • Although effective for injury prevention, their greater value lies in enabling athletes to train harder and perform complex movements impossible without their contribution.
  • Overall evaluation: highly effective and essential for all complex sporting movements.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 838

Explain how the agonist/antagonist relationship facilitates efficient movement in sporting activities.   (5 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • The agonist/antagonist relationship creates smooth, controlled movement in sport. When the agonist muscle contracts to produce movement, the antagonist simultaneously relaxes. This coordination prevents muscles from working against each other, which would waste energy and reduce efficiency.
  • During a tennis forehand, the biceps (agonist) contracts to flex the elbow in preparation. Meanwhile, the triceps (antagonist) relaxes to allow this movement. For the follow-through, roles reverse – triceps becomes agonist while biceps becomes antagonist. Reciprocal action between these muscles enables fluid, continuous movement.
  • The relationship also allows precise force control. By varying the degree of antagonist relaxation, athletes can modulate movement speed and power. In weightlifting, controlled antagonist action prevents the weight from dropping too quickly during the lowering phase.
  • Furthermore, balanced agonist/antagonist development maintains joint stability. Equal strength prevents one muscle group from overpowering another, reducing injury risk. Therefore, this coordinated relationship facilitates both movement efficiency and safety across all sporting activities.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

  • The agonist/antagonist relationship creates smooth, controlled movement in sport. When the agonist muscle contracts to produce movement, the antagonist simultaneously relaxes. This coordination prevents muscles from working against each other, which would waste energy and reduce efficiency.
  • During a tennis forehand, the biceps (agonist) contracts to flex the elbow in preparation. Meanwhile, the triceps (antagonist) relaxes to allow this movement. For the follow-through, roles reverse – triceps becomes agonist while biceps becomes antagonist. Reciprocal action between these muscles enables fluid, continuous movement.
  • The relationship also allows precise force control. By varying the degree of antagonist relaxation, athletes can modulate movement speed and power. In weightlifting, controlled antagonist action prevents the weight from dropping too quickly during the lowering phase.
  • Furthermore, balanced agonist/antagonist development maintains joint stability. Equal strength prevents one muscle group from overpowering another, reducing injury risk. Therefore, this coordinated relationship facilitates both movement efficiency and safety across all sporting activities.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 837

Explain the role of agonist, antagonist, and stabiliser muscles during a push-up exercise.   (4 marks)

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Sample Answer

  • During push-ups, pectorals and triceps act as agonists throughout both phases. In the lowering phase, they contract eccentrically to control descent. As a result, the body lowers smoothly rather than dropping suddenly.
  • During the pushing phase, these same muscles contract concentrically. This causes the arms to extend, pushing the body upward. Meanwhile, biceps function as antagonists, relaxing to allow elbow extension.
  • Core muscles including rectus abdominis and erector spinae serve as stabilisers. These muscles maintain isometric contraction throughout the movement. Consequently, the body remains rigid from head to heels, preventing sagging.
  • Therefore, coordinated muscle roles enable safe, effective push-ups through controlled movement and proper alignment.
Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer

  • During push-ups, pectorals and triceps act as agonists throughout both phases. In the lowering phase, they contract eccentrically to control descent. As a result, the body lowers smoothly rather than dropping suddenly.
  • During the pushing phase, these same muscles contract concentrically. This causes the arms to extend, pushing the body upward. Meanwhile, biceps function as antagonists, relaxing to allow elbow extension.
  • Core muscles including rectus abdominis and erector spinae serve as stabilisers. These muscles maintain isometric contraction throughout the movement. Consequently, the body remains rigid from head to heels, preventing sagging.
  • Therefore, coordinated muscle roles enable safe, effective push-ups through controlled movement and proper alignment.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 836 MC

When performing a squat, which muscle acts as a stabiliser for the knee joint?

  1. Rectus femoris
  2. Biceps femoris
  3. Vastus medialis
  4. Gluteus maximus
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Vastus medialis stabilises the knee during squats.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Rectus femoris is an agonist for knee extension
  • B is incorrect: Biceps femoris is a hamstring antagonist
  • D is incorrect: Gluteus maximus extends hip, not knee stabiliser

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 835 MC

In a bicep curl, which muscle pair represents the agonist and antagonist relationship?

  1. Biceps brachii and brachialis
  2. Biceps brachii and triceps brachii
  3. Triceps brachii and deltoid
  4. Deltoid and pectoralis major
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct: Biceps (agonist) flexes the elbow while triceps (antagonist) relaxes.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Both are elbow flexors (synergists), not antagonists
  • C is incorrect: Work on different joints and movements
  • D is incorrect: Both act on shoulder, not as antagonists

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 44

Describe TWO ways muscle pairs work together to produce safe movement.   (3 marks)

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Sample Answer – ANY 2 of the following

Agonist/antagonist relationship controls movement speed 

  • When the agonist muscle contracts to create movement, the antagonist muscle relaxes in a controlled manner.
  • Coordinated action as described prevents jerky movements and allows precise control of speed, protecting joints from sudden impacts.

Co-contraction provides joint stability –

  • Both muscles in a pair contract simultaneously to stabilise a joint during movement.
  • Such co-activation creates muscular tension around the joint, preventing excessive movement that could damage ligaments, and maintaining safe joint alignment.

Balanced strength prevents muscle imbalances

  • Equal strength development in muscle pairs ensures forces are distributed evenly across joints.
  • This balance prevents one muscle from overpowering its partner, reducing strain on connective tissues and maintaining proper joint mechanics during movement.

Coordinated action produces smooth movement

  • Muscle pairs work in precise timing sequences, with one gradually activating as the other deactivates.
  • Transitioning smoothly between muscle contractions eliminates abrupt force changes that could tear muscle fibres or strain tendons.
Show Worked Solution

Agonist/antagonist relationship controls movement speed 

  • When the agonist muscle contracts to create movement, the antagonist muscle relaxes in a controlled manner.
  • Coordinated action as described prevents jerky movements and allows precise control of speed, protecting joints from sudden impacts.

Co-contraction provides joint stability –

  • Both muscles in a pair contract simultaneously to stabilise a joint during movement.
  • Such co-activation creates muscular tension around the joint, preventing excessive movement that could damage ligaments, and maintaining safe joint alignment.

Balanced strength prevents muscle imbalances

  • Equal strength development in muscle pairs ensures forces are distributed evenly across joints.
  • This balance prevents one muscle from overpowering its partner, reducing strain on connective tissues and maintaining proper joint mechanics during movement.

Coordinated action produces smooth movement

  • Muscle pairs work in precise timing sequences, with one gradually activating as the other deactivates.
  • Transitioning smoothly between muscle contractions eliminates abrupt force changes that could tear muscle fibres or strain tendons.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 37

Describe TWO characteristics and functions of fast twitch muscle fibres.   (3 marks)

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Sample Answer – ANY 2 of the following

  • Fewer mitochondria: Contains limited mitochondria compared to slow-twitch fibres. Relies on anaerobic energy production rather than oxygen-dependent pathways.
  • Rapid contraction: Contracts quickly to generate explosive force. Enables powerful movements but for short durations only.
  • Quick fatigue: Depletes energy rapidly due to anaerobic metabolism. Limits sustained activity to approximately 10 seconds of maximum effort.
  • Larger diameter: Fast-twitch fibres are larger than slow-twitch fibres. Greater size enables more forceful contractions for explosive movements like jumping and sprinting.
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Sample Answer

  • Fewer mitochondria: Contains limited mitochondria compared to slow-twitch fibres. Relies on anaerobic energy production rather than oxygen-dependent pathways.
  • Rapid contraction: Contracts quickly to generate explosive force. Enables powerful movements but for short durations only.
  • Quick fatigue: Depletes energy rapidly due to anaerobic metabolism. Limits sustained activity to approximately 10 seconds of maximum effort.
  • Larger diameter: Fast-twitch fibres are larger than slow-twitch fibres. Greater size enables more forceful contractions for explosive movements like jumping and sprinting.

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 27 MC

Which pair of muscles work together in an agonist-antagonist relationship?

  1. Deltoid and trapezius
  2. Biceps and gastrocnemius
  3. Triceps and biceps brachii
  4. Quadriceps and deltoid
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Biceps and triceps are antagonists at the elbow – biceps flexes, triceps extends.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Work in different regions, not antagonistic
  • B is incorrect: Work at different joints (elbow vs ankle)
  • D is incorrect: Work at different joints (knee vs shoulder)

HMS, BM EQ-Bank 23 MC

During a biceps curl, what occurs at the elbow joint?

  1. The biceps contracts concentrically as the primary agonist
  2. The triceps contracts concentrically as the primary agonist
  3. The biceps and triceps contract simultaneously
  4. The triceps relaxes while the biceps stabilises
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\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: The biceps contracts concentrically as the agonist, producing elbow flexion to lift the weight.

Other options:

  • B is incorrect: The triceps extends the elbow, not flexes it.
  • C is incorrect: Reciprocal inhibition prevents simultaneous contraction
  • D is incorrect: The biceps contracts, not stabilises