GCSE Answers to Frequently asked Exam Revision Questions Part 2

Please could you tell me what bio mechanical efficiency is?

Answer: A term associated with efficient movement of an individual. If the skeleton and musculature are working in the correct planes of movement with no signs of awkwardness, they are deemed to demonstrate bio mechanical efficiency.

If the athlete or performer exhibits poor body use, inappropriate effort that contributes to a dysfunctional, uncoordinated movement or poor alignment, they are deemed to be bio mechanically unsound. Poor efficiency can lead to injury, and/or a reduction in quality of performance. Extra energy is also used, as the body tries to "compensate" for it's own bio mechanical inefficiency.

What are the risks of doing body building when you are still growing?

Answer: There are many differing views and research based on this subject. Many experienced weightlifters would argue that heavy weight training does not cause injury. Others argue the opposite. Essentially, bodybuilding involves heavy weight training, and when the body is still growing there are several factors that should be considered.

1) The body needs food to maintain growth. By weight training, the body could be deprived of energy for intense periods of time. A careful balance of rest and correct nutrition would be necessary if training were to take place. Even then, it is possible that the body may not physically be able to convert enough food to gain the energy required.

2) Bodybuilding as a sport requires a specially controlled diet with a high emphasis on fat loss. This could be disastrous, as a reasonable level of fat intake should be maintained to maintain growth.

3) Whilst the bones are going through the process of ossification (bone growth), they are partially made of cartilage so they are still a little "bendy". If heavy weight training takes place, damage can be caused to the bones and joints as the muscles pull on them.

4) Intense supervision in training would be necessary. This is because young people, or those with growing bodies may be less aware of their own strengths and weaknesses. There is the potential to lift a weight which is too heavy.

5) Growing muscles will not increase in size and strength as readily as mature muscles. This could be demoralising and potentially lead to increased intensity of weight training due to frustration or poor knowledge.

6) When bodybuilding, it is possible for a young person to be exposed to the darker side of the sport which involves performance-enhancing drugs.

For the reasons stated above, it is usually considered appropriate and more than adequate for a growing body to do light weight training and / or resistance training using ones own body weight. Aerobic work will also provide a firm basis for future involvement in the sport when the body is fully developed. Bowling a ball in cricket is more co-ordination than power and no bowler can bowl over 100mph can they?

Thanks for your comments. The worlds fastest delivery was by Jeff Thompson which hurtled in at 99.7 mph in December 1975. Pretty close to 100 mph though!

Look out for the current two fastest bowlers in the world: Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan and Brett Lee of Australia (2001).

With regard to your first point, strength plus speed give you power. Although there is a large emphasis on co-ordination (the ability to move more than one part of the body at the same time under control, with no wasted effort), there is also a very large emphasis on power. The speed and strength, coupled with the co-ordination of the body parts are what creates the power.

I have quite a few to ask....please help. What is JSLA and which age
group is it aimed at? What are the 2 objectives of the CCPR? How was the
CCPR funded? What is the WSF and what is its
purpose?

1) JSLA is the Junior Sports Leaders Award and is aimed at 14 and 16 year olds who wish to develop their sports leadership skills. The JSLA is a practical qualification and encompasses areas such as 'Health and Fitness', 'Fair Play in Sport', and 'Decision Making through Officiating', as well as organisational and communication skills.

2) The CCPR (Central Council for Physical Recreation) is an independent body which is currently working on to achieve many objectives. One is to provide grant in aid of national governing bodies of sport and Recreation, another is to continue working on campaigns such as Child Protection in Sport and Tobacco Sponsorship.

3) The WSF is the Women's Sport Foundation. It's vision is to "To pursue and promote opportunities for women and girls in and through sport"