AQA A-Level PE 3.6 Sport and society and the role of technology: a complete overview of concepts, development and technology

What module 3.6 actually demands

Sport and society and the role of technology examines the place of physical activity in modern society and how technology is reshaping elite sport. Module 3.6 runs from the basic concepts of physical activity, through the pathways that develop elite performers, to the commercial and technological forces transforming the modern game. The examiners reward clear definitions and balanced evaluation of social and technological issues, always supported by examples.

This guide walks through all four 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.

Concepts and development

Concepts of physical activity distinguishes physical recreation (free, flexible active leisure for enjoyment), sport (structured, competitive, codified activity), physical education (compulsory, structured school learning) and outdoor and adventurous activities (in the natural environment, developing personal qualities through managed risk), and shows how they overlap and differ.

Development routes explains the progression from foundation participation through participation and performance to the elite level, the roles of schools, clubs and national institutes of sport, talent identification and development programmes, and the support services (funding, coaching, sports science, medicine, psychology, nutrition and lifestyle support) that allow elite performers to succeed.

Commercialisation and technology

Commercialisation and the media explains the interdependent golden triangle of sport, sponsorship and the media and evaluates the positive and negative effects of commercialisation on the performer, the sport, the spectator and the sponsor.

The role of technology in sport explains technology for performance analysis and training (motion analysis, GPS, biomechanics, improved equipment), for officiating and fair play (Hawk-Eye, goal-line technology, VAR, drug testing) and for the spectator (replays, statistics, second-screen experiences), and evaluates its positive and negative effects, including cost, inequality and the authority of officials.

How module 3.6 is examined

A typical AQA profile for this module:

• Recall of characteristics. Distinguishing recreation, sport, PE and OAA, and naming the development levels and support services.
• Explanation. How performers progress through the pathway, and why sport and the media are interdependent.
• Evaluation. The positive and negative effects of commercialisation and of technology across each stakeholder.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall, explanation and evaluation questions covering module 3.6. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

1. Give two characteristics that distinguish sport from physical recreation. (2 marks)
2. Name the four levels of the sports development pyramid. (2 marks)
3. Explain why the relationship between sport and the media is interdependent. (3 marks)
4. Give one example of technology used in officiating and its benefit. (2 marks)
5. State two objectives of outdoor and adventurous activities. (2 marks)
6. Identify two support services for elite performers and their role. (2 marks)
7. Give one negative effect of commercialisation on the spectator. (1 mark)
8. Explain one negative effect of technology on elite sport. (2 marks)