Question 1: Define 'reaction time' in the context of sports performance and explain why it is important.

Answer: Reaction time is the interval between perceiving a stimulus and initiating a response. It is important because quicker reactions can improve performance and safety in sports.

Question 2: Describe the role of the central nervous system (CNS) in information processing during physical activity.

Answer: The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, processes incoming sensory information and sends out appropriate motor responses to coordinate movement during physical activity.

Question 3: Explain the difference between sensory memory and short-term memory in the context of sports performance.

Answer: Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information from the environment, lasting less than a second, while short-term memory temporarily stores and processes information needed for immediate tasks, lasting around 20 seconds.

Question 4: Identify and describe one factor that can affect the speed of information processing in athletes.

Answer: Fatigue can slow down information processing because it reduces mental alertness and cognitive function.

Question 5: Discuss how anticipation can improve an athlete's reaction time during a game.

Answer: Anticipation allows athletes to predict opponents' actions based on cues, reducing the time needed to process information and respond quickly.

Question 6: A player is preparing to receive a pass in football. Describe what happens in their brain during this moment of information processing.

Answer: The player’s sensory receptors detect the pass, transmitting signals to the brain. The brain assesses the situation, predicts the pass's trajectory, and sends motor commands to position the body accordingly.

Question 7: Sketch a simple diagram illustrating the flow of information from sensory receptors to the motor output during a sporting movement.

Answer: A correct sketch would show sensory receptors detecting stimuli, transmitting signals to the spinal cord and brain (central nervous system), which then processes the information and sends commands to muscles for movement.

Question 8: Explain how practice can influence the efficiency of information processing in athletes.

Answer: Practice enhances neural pathways, making processing faster and more automatic, which improves reaction times and decision-making in sport.

Question 9: Identify two ways coaches can help improve an athlete’s reaction time based on information processing principles.

Answer: Coaches can use training drills that simulate game situations to improve anticipation and decision-making, and provide feedback to enhance sensory awareness.

Question 10: Describe how the concept of selective attention is important in sports performance.

Answer: Selective attention allows athletes to focus on relevant cues while ignoring distractions, enabling more effective processing of important information during competition.