Question 1: Explain what is meant by 'information processing' in the context of sport and physical activity.

Answer: Information processing in sport refers to how athletes perceive, interpret, and respond to information from their environment, including signals from coaches, opponents, or the game situation.

Question 2: Describe the three main stages of the information processing model used by athletes during a game.

Answer: The three main stages are: 1) Input (sensing information through senses), 2) Decision making (interpreting and choosing a response), 3) Output (performing the physical response).

Question 3: Give an example of a situation in football where a player must rapidly process information before acting.

Answer: A player receiving a pass must quickly judge the position of opponents and teammates to decide whether to pass, dribble, or shoot.

Question 4: What is the role of the sensory organs in the information processing system for athletes?

Answer: Sensory organs detect information from the environment, such as visual cues or sounds, which are then sent to the brain for processing.

Question 5: Identify two factors that can affect the speed of information processing in athletes.

Answer: Factors include fatigue, which can slow reaction times, and experience, which can improve the speed of decision making.

Question 6: Describe how reaction time is related to information processing in sports.

Answer: Reaction time is the interval between perceiving a stimulus and responding, and it reflects the speed of the entire information processing process.

Question 7: Imagine a tennis player sees the opponent's racket swing. Describe the process the player’s brain goes through to decide how to respond.

Answer: The player's senses detect the swing, the brain interprets the cue as an attack, and then the brain decides whether to block, hit, or move away, before executing the physical response.

Question 8: Draw a simple diagram to illustrate the three stages of information processing in an athlete during a game. Label each stage clearly.

Answer: A flowchart with three boxes: 1) Sensory Input (e.g., visual cues), 2) Decision Making (interpreting cues), 3) Motor Output (physical response). Arrows connect the boxes sequentially.

Question 9: Explain how practice can improve an athlete’s information processing skills.

Answer: Practice helps athletes recognize patterns faster, make quicker decisions, and respond more efficiently by strengthening neural pathways and reducing reaction times.

Question 10: Suggest two ways a coach could help a beginner athlete improve their reaction time and decision-making skills.

Answer: Coaches can use drills that replicate game situations to enhance decision-making, and implement reaction time exercises such as responding quickly to visual or auditory signals.