Question 1: Define biomechanics in the context of physical activity and explain its importance in sports performance.

Answer: Biomechanics is the study of how the principles of mechanics apply to human movement. It is important in sports because it helps improve technique, reduce injury risk, and optimize performance.

Question 2: Describe the role of levers in human movement. Use an example from a common sport or activity.

Answer: Levers are rigid bones that rotate around a fulcrum (joint) to produce movement. For example, in a bicep curl, the forearm acts as a lever, with the elbow joint as the fulcrum, the biceps as the effort, and the weight as the load.

Question 3: Explain the difference between a first-class, second-class, and third-class lever with relevant sporting examples.

Answer: First-class levers have the fulcrum in the middle (e.g., nodding the head). Second-class levers have the load between effort and fulcrum (e.g., standing on tiptoes). Third-class levers have effort applied between load and fulcrum (e.g., bicep curl).

Question 4: Identify and describe two types of forces that act on the human body during movement.

Answer: Two types of forces are gravity, which pulls the body downward, and muscular force, which muscles generate to produce movement.

Question 5: Describe how the principles of Newton's third law apply to a person jumping off the ground.

Answer: When a person pushes against the ground to jump, the ground exerts an equal and opposite force upward, propelling the person into the air, illustrating Newton's third law.

Question 6: Sketch a simple diagram showing the movement of a person performing a forward somersault, labeling the key body positions involved.

Answer: A correct sketch would show the initial crouched position, the tuck as the body rolls forward, and the landing position with legs extended. Labels should include 'push-off,' 'rotation,' and 'landing.'

Question 7: Draw a diagram of a basic human joint illustrating the types of movement possible at the joint (e.g., hinge, ball-and-socket).

Answer: A correct diagram would depict a joint (e.g., the elbow for hinge, hip for ball-and-socket) with arrows indicating possible movements like flexion, extension, rotation, and abduction.

Question 8: Explain the concept of angular velocity and how it relates to fast movements such as sprinting or throwing.

Answer: Angular velocity refers to how quickly an object rotates or moves through an angle. In sprinting or throwing, higher angular velocity means faster limb movement, contributing to more powerful actions.

Question 9: Identify two ways an athlete can reduce the risk of injury related to biomechanics during training or competition.

Answer: An athlete can improve technique to ensure proper joint alignment and incorporate adequate warm-up and stretching to prepare muscles and joints for activity.

Question 10: Describe how the concept of force summation enhances an athlete’s performance in activities such as jumping or throwing.

Answer: Force summation involves using multiple body parts in sequence to generate maximum force. For example, in a throw, the legs, hips, torso, and arms work together to produce a powerful movement.