Question 1: Define 'perception' in the context of sports performance.

Answer: Perception in sports refers to the process by which athletes interpret sensory information from their environment to make sense of their surroundings and inform their actions.

Question 2: Explain the role of the central nervous system (CNS) in information processing during a game.

Answer: The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, receives sensory input, processes the information, and sends out motor commands to coordinate appropriate physical responses during a game.

Question 3: Describe how selective attention can benefit an athlete during a fast-paced sport.

Answer: Selective attention allows an athlete to focus on relevant cues, such as the ball or opponents, while ignoring distractions, thereby improving decision-making and reaction time.

Question 4: What is reaction time, and why is it important in sports?

Answer: Reaction time is the interval between perceiving a stimulus and responding to it. Faster reaction times can give athletes a competitive edge by enabling quicker responses to game situations.

Question 5: Identify two factors that can influence an athlete's reaction time.

Answer: Factors include fatigue, which can slow down reaction speed, and level of alertness or focus, which can enhance reaction speed.

Question 6: Explain the difference between sensory memory and short-term memory in the context of sports decision making.

Answer: Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information from the environment, while short-term memory temporarily stores relevant information that an athlete actively uses to make decisions during performance.

Question 7: Describe the process of decision-making in an athlete during a game scenario.

Answer: An athlete perceives environmental cues, processes the information through their cognitive system, makes a decision based on training and experience, and then executes a physical response.

Question 8: Draw a flowchart illustrating the stages of information processing in a sports context.

Answer: A correct sketch would include the following stages: Stimulus perception → Sensory memory → Short-term memory → Decision-making → Motor response. Arrows should connect these stages sequentially.

Question 9: Identify and explain two ways a coach can help improve an athlete’s information processing skills.

Answer: Coaching can include drills that simulate game situations to enhance decision-making speed, and providing feedback to improve perceptual skills and focus.

Question 10: Explain how practice can alter the way information is processed during sporting activities.

Answer: Practice can lead to automatisation, where athletes process information more quickly and with less conscious effort, allowing for faster reactions and better decision-making.