AQA A-Level PE 3.1 Applied anatomy and physiology: a complete overview of the body systems and energy

What module 3.1 actually demands

Applied anatomy and physiology is the science engine of AQA A-Level PE. It runs from the structure and function of the heart, lungs and muscles, through the analysis of movement, to how the body resynthesises energy. The examiners test two linked skills: precise recall of structures, definitions and processes, and the ability to explain how each system responds to a single bout of exercise and adapts to long-term training.

This guide walks through all five topics in specification order, then sets out the exam patterns AQA repeats. Each topic has a matching dot-point page with practice questions; this overview ties them together.

The cardiovascular and respiratory systems

The cardiovascular system covers the cardiac cycle and the conduction system (SAN, AVN, bundle of His and Purkinje fibres), cardiac output ($Q = HR \times SV$) and its neural and hormonal regulation, the vascular shunt mechanism that redirects blood to working muscles, and venous return maintained by the skeletal muscle pump, respiratory pump and pocket valves. Long-term aerobic training causes cardiac hypertrophy and bradycardia.

The respiratory system covers the mechanics of breathing, lung volumes and capacities, gaseous exchange at the alveoli and muscles driven by partial pressure gradients, the neural control of ventilation from the respiratory centre, and the respiratory adaptations to training such as increased strength of the respiratory muscles and greater alveolar surface area.

The neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems

The neuromuscular system covers the motor unit, the all-or-none law, the three muscle fibre types (slow twitch type I, fast oxidative glycolytic type IIa and fast glycolytic type IIx) and the role of proprioceptors in PNF stretching through autogenic inhibition of the Golgi tendon organ.

The musculoskeletal system and movement analysis covers joint types and articulating bones, the agonist, antagonist, fixator and synergist roles, the three types of muscle contraction (concentric, eccentric and isometric), and the three planes and axes of movement (sagittal-transverse, frontal-sagittal and transverse-longitudinal).

Energy systems

The energy systems topic explains how ATP is resynthesised by the ATP-PC system (phosphocreatine, up to about 10 seconds), the anaerobic glycolytic system (glucose to lactic acid, up to about 3 minutes) and the aerobic system (full oxidation, 38 ATP, longer duration). You also need the energy continuum, EPOC with its fast alactacid and slow lactacid components, and the recovery process.

How module 3.1 is examined

A typical AQA profile for applied anatomy and physiology:

• Short answer and recall. Defining cardiac output, naming the conduction system, classifying fibre types, naming planes and axes, and stating the fuel and by-product of each energy system.
• Calculation. Cardiac output from heart rate and stroke volume, and interpreting lung-volume and Wiggers-style diagrams.
• Applied movement analysis. Identifying the joint, agonist, contraction type, plane and axis for a named sporting movement.
• Extended answers. Explaining cardiovascular and respiratory responses and adaptations, the vascular shunt and venous return, and which energy systems fuel a given activity.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall, calculation and application questions covering module 3.1. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

1. Calculate cardiac output for a heart rate of 160 bpm and a stroke volume of 120 mL. (2 marks)
2. State the two conditions for a successful nerve impulse to cause a motor unit to contract under the all-or-none law. (2 marks)
3. Name the plane and axis for a cartwheel. (2 marks)
4. State the fuel, by-product and approximate duration of the ATP-PC system. (3 marks)
5. Explain how venous return is maintained during exercise. (3 marks)
6. Compare the characteristics of slow twitch and fast glycolytic muscle fibres. (3 marks)
7. Describe the role of the fast (alactacid) component of EPOC. (2 marks)
8. Explain one long-term cardiovascular adaptation to aerobic training. (2 marks)