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EnglandPhysical Education

Exercise physiology, training and performance (Area of study 1)

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do diet manipulation and ergogenic aids affect performance, and at what cost?

Diet, nutrition and ergogenic aids: the dietary components and their functions, energy balance, diet manipulation for performance (carbohydrate loading and hydration), and the effectiveness and risks of legal and illegal ergogenic aids.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on diet and ergogenic aids: the macronutrients and micronutrients and their functions, energy balance, diet manipulation (carbohydrate loading, pre and post-event meals, hydration), and the benefits and risks of legal and illegal ergogenic aids such as creatine, caffeine, anabolic steroids, EPO and blood doping.
12 min answer →

How is ATP resynthesised by the three energy systems, and how do they interplay across the energy continuum?

Energy for exercise: ATP as the immediate energy source, the ATP-PC, glycolytic and aerobic systems (fuel, site, yield and by-products), the energy continuum, thresholds, and the factors affecting VO2 max.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on energy for exercise: ATP and its resynthesis, the three energy systems (fuel, site, controlling enzyme, ATP yield and by-products), the energy continuum and thresholds, and the factors that affect VO2 max, with worked relative-contribution reasoning.
12 min answer →

How do altitude, heat and cold affect the body systems and performance?

Environmental effects on body systems: the physiological responses to altitude, heat and humidity, and cold, the implications for aerobic and anaerobic performance, and acclimatisation strategies.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on environmental effects: the fall in oxygen partial pressure at altitude and its effect on VO2 max, thermoregulation and cardiovascular drift in heat and humidity, the risks of cold, and acclimatisation strategies including live high train low.
11 min answer →

What causes fatigue, and how does the body recover and repay its oxygen debt after exercise?

Fatigue and recovery: the types and causes of fatigue, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and its fast and slow components, and recovery strategies and their physiological basis.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on fatigue and recovery: the types and causes of fatigue (fuel depletion, lactate and hydrogen ions, thermoregulation), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption and its fast and slow components, and recovery strategies such as cool-down, refuelling, cryotherapy and massage.
11 min answer →

How are sporting injuries prevented, classified and rehabilitated?

Injury prevention and rehabilitation: intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, acute and chronic injuries, immediate treatment (PRICE), and rehabilitation methods including the role of technology.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on injury: intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, the difference between acute and chronic injuries, immediate treatment using PRICE, rehabilitation methods such as stretching, strengthening, proprioceptive work and cryotherapy, and the role of technology in diagnosis and rehab.
11 min answer →

How is training planned across a year so a performer peaks for competition?

Periodisation and planning of training: macrocycles, mesocycles and microcycles, tapering and peaking, double periodisation, the structure and purpose of warm-up and cool-down, and overtraining.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on periodisation: dividing the year into macro, meso and microcycles, the preparation, competition and transition phases, tapering and peaking for a major event, double periodisation, the purpose of warm-up and cool-down, and the symptoms of overtraining.
11 min answer →

How do the components of fitness, principles of training and training methods develop a performer?

Preparation and training methods: health-related and skill-related components of fitness, the principles of training, training methods and the development of aerobic capacity, strength, speed, power and flexibility, with target zones.
A focused answer to Eduqas A-Level PE on preparation and training: the health-related and skill-related components of fitness, the principles of training (SPORV and FITT), the main training methods and the adaptations they cause, and calculating training target heart-rate zones.
12 min answer →