Unit Code: D/502/5474
Credit Value: 5
Guided Learning Hours: 30
UNIT 4: ANATOMY &
PHYSIOLOGY FOR SPORT
BTEC Level 2 Diploma In Sport
AIM AND PURPOSE

The aim of this unit is to give learners a good understanding of the structure and function of the skeletal,
muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the human body.
UNIT INTRODUCTION
A healthy body is an amazing piece of machinery which allows us to go from total rest to all-out sprinting in
a matter of seconds. Trained sportspeople are able to run, cycle and swim marathon distances. This ability is due to
the efficiency of the physiological systems that work together to enable such activity. An understanding of these
systems is imperative in the sport and exercise industries in order to appreciate how the body copes with the stress
of exercise.
This unit explores the foundation of anatomy and physiology of the four main body systems.
The unit starts by exploring the skeletal system and includes the main bones, joints and movement. The muscular
system is then examined, the main muscles, antagonistic pairs and types of contraction are covered. The structure
and function of the cardiovascular system is then covered which includes the structure of the heart and the blood
vessels that carry blood all around the body. To complete the unit, the respiratory system is explored and includes
the mechanics of breathing and gaseous exchange.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of this unit a learner should…
1.
Know the structure and function of the skeletal system.
2.
Know the structure and function of the muscular system.
3.
Know the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.
4.
Know the structure and function of the respiratory system.
UNIT CONTENT
1. KNOW THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM.
Structure of the skeletal system: bones (skull, sternum, ribs, vertebral column, clavicle, scapula, Humerus, radius,
ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia, fibula, patella).
Function of the skeletal system: protection; movement; shape; support; blood production.
Joints: classifications (fixed, slightly moveable, freely moveable/synovial joints); joint structure; synovial joints range
of movement.
Movement: flexion; extension; adduction; abduction; rotation; circumduction; examples from relevant
sporting movements e.g. the shoulder and elbow joints during an overarm tennis service.
2. KNOW THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM.
Major muscles: triceps; biceps; quadriceps; hamstrings; deltoids; gluteus maximus; gastrocnemius; abdominals;
obliques; pectorals; trapezius; erector spinae; location.
Types of muscles: voluntary (skeletal); involuntary (smooth); heart (cardiac); structure; function.
Muscle movements: antagonistic pairs; types of contraction (concentric, eccentric, isometric).
3. KNOW THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
Structure of the cardiovascular system: atria; ventricles; septum; tricuspid valve; bicuspid valve; semi-lunar valves;
main blood vessels leading into and out of the heart (aorta, pulmonary vein, pulmonary artery and vena cavae);
blood vessels (structure and function); arteries; arterioles; capillaries; veins and venuoles.
Function of the cardiovascular system: blood flow through the heart and to the body and lungs; taking up
oxygen and ‘unloading’ carbon dioxide; thermoregulation (vasodilation and vasoconstriction of vessels).
4. KNOW THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
Structure of the respiratory system: epiglottis; trachea; bronchus; bronchioles; alveoli; diaphragm;
intercostal muscles.
Function of the respiratory system: mechanics of breathing (inspiration and expiration); gaseous exchange (alveoli,
diffusion of oxygen into the blood, carbon dioxide out of the blood and into the lungs).
ASSESSMENT & GRADING CRITERIA
To achieve a pass grade the
evidence must show that
the learner is able to:
To achieve a merit grade the
evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass criteria,
the learner is able to:
To achieve a distinction
grade the evidence must
show that, in addition to the
pass and merit criteria, the
learner is able to:
P1 - describe the structure and
function of the skeletal system.
P2 - describe the different types
of joint and the movements
allowed at each.
M1 - explain the movements
occurring at two synovial
joints during four different
types of physical activity.
P3 - identify the major muscles of
the body.
P4 - describe the different types
of muscle and muscle
movements.
M2 - give examples of three
different types of muscular
contraction relating to three
different types of physical
Activity.
D1 - analyse the musculoskeletal
actions occurring at four synovial
joints during four different types
of physical activity.
M3 - explain how the
cardiovascular and respiratory
systems work together to
supply the body with oxygen.
D2 - evaluate how the
cardiovascular system and
respiratory system work
together to supply the body
with oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide.
P5 - describe the structure and
function of the cardiovascular
system.
P6 - describe the structure and
function of the respiratory
system.
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF ONE
Assignment Title:
Skeletal System
Start Date:
Deadline Date:
Submission Date:
Assessor:
The Purpose of this assignment is to: Enable learners to understand the structure and
function of the skeletal system.
Scenario: As a trainee physiotherapist with team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games,
you are helping your line manager to ensure that the athletes are always at their peak of
physical fitness. Team GB’s manager is concerned that some of the younger athletes are not
fully aware of the importance of healthy body systems. Therefore, it is your responsibility to
produce a series of information leaflets that highlight each of the body systems that can be
available in and around team GB’s headquarters and throughout their Olympic village.
Task 1: Create a labelled poster of the 14 major bones in the skeleton. The five functions of
the skeleton must also be identified and explained, they include protection, movement,
shape, support and blood production.
This provides evidence for P1
Task 2: Create a series of posters that describes the different types of joints (fixed, slightly
moveable and synovial) and then the movements that can occur at each of the synovial
joints (gliding, ball and socket, condyloid, saddle, hinge and pivot). You should use Olympic
physical activities to highlight each synovial joint. You must also cover all types of
movement (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction).
This provides evidence for P2
Task 3: Choose four different physical activities from the Olympic Games (a racket sport, a
team sport, an athletic event and a gymnastic event). For each physical activity you must
explain the movements occurring at two synovial joints. You must present this information
on four posters.
This provides evidence for M1
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose.
Assessor:
Signature:
Date:
Internal Verifier:
Mrs Heather Blackburn
Signature:
Date:
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF TWO
Assignment Title:
The Muscular System
Start Date:
Deadline Date:
Submission Date:
Assessor:
The Purpose of this assignment is to: Enable learners to understand the structure and
function of the muscular system.
Scenario: The manager of Team GB was highly impressed with you skeletal information
posters for the younger athletes. The manager is now interested in you producing a digital
presentation that can be viewed on the TV’s within Team GB’s camp. The digital
presentation must focus on the muscular system.
Task 1: Create and design a digital presentation that highlights the 12 major muscles of the
body. You should ensure that the front and back of the body is covered (P3). You will then
describe the different types of muscles (cardiac, involuntary and voluntary) with examples
of each, a microscopic diagram and relevant information relating to the different types.
Finally you should describe how muscles create movement ( antagonistic pairs). You should
also use labelled pictures/diagrams to support your text (P4).
This provides evidence for P3 & P4
Task 2: Extend your digital presentation by giving examples on the three different types of
muscular contractions (concentric, eccentric and isometric) and give an example of each
contraction taking place in three different Olympic activities. Use pictures and diagrams to
make your digital presentation visually interesting.
This provides evidence for M2
Task 3: Using you knowledge from your previous tasks, you must now analyse the
musculoskeletal actions occurring at four synovial joints during four different types of
Olympic physical activities (a racket sport, a team sport, an athletic event and a gymnastic
event).
For each activity, analyse the movements occurring at four different synovial joints, for
example, the shoulder, elbow, hips and knee joints. You must state the type of joint,
movement at the joint, agonist muscle, type of muscle contraction and antagonist muscle.
This provides evidence for D1
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose.
Assessor:
Signature:
Date:
Internal Verifier:
Mrs Heather Blackburn
Signature:
Date:
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF THREE
Assignment Title:
The Cardiovascular System
Start Date:
Deadline Date:
Submission Date:
Assessor:
The Purpose of this assignment is to: Enable learners to understand the structure and
function of the cardiovascular system.
Scenario: A healthy heart is of vital importance for all Olympians. As one of Team GB’s
trainee physiotherapists your team manager would like you to produce an information
leaflet which will be handed to all athletes to make them more aware of the importance of
the cardiovascular system.
Task 1: You must create a 6 page information leaflet that is visually interesting. It must
highlight the structure and function of the cardiovascular system. It should be set out as
follows:
Title page;
Introduction to the cardiovascular system and the purpose of your leaflet;
Labelled diagram to show the structure of the cardiovascular system
Labelled diagram to show structure and functions of the 5 main blood vessels
Labelled diagram and description to show how the heart works as a double pump and how
blood flows through the heart and to the body and lungs;
Information on how the cardiovascular system is responsible for helping to control the
body's temperature through thermoregulation.
Check Learning outcome 3 for all the key terms
This provides evidence for P5
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose.
Assessor:
Signature:
Date:
Internal Verifier:
Mrs Heather Blackburn
Signature:
Date:
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF FOUR
Assignment Title:
The Respiratory System
Start Date:
Deadline Date:
Submission Date:
Assessor:
The Purpose of this assignment is to: Enable learners to understand the structure and
function of the cardiovascular system.
Scenario: Your final task is to produce a PowerPoint presentation that you will deliver to the
younger Olympic athletes. Once this is complete it is hoped that the younger athletes will
now be fully aware of the importance of their body systems. Your media forms thus far
have been outstanding, good luck with the final piece of the jigsaw.
Task 1: Produce a PowerPoint presentation which highlights the structure and function of
the respiratory system.
You must label a diagram of the respiratory system and give a very brief description of each
component role.
You must describe: the mechanics of breathing ( inspiration / expiration) and gaseous
exchange in order to complete the presentation.
(See learning outcome 4 for all key terms)
This provides evidence for P6
Task 2: Explain how the cardiovascular and respiratory system work together to supply the
body with oxygen. To do this you should imagine you are an oxygen molecule and explain
the journey you take in and around the body until you reach your muscular destination.
You must include all of the key terms from learning outcome 4 eg blood flows from an
alevoli into the blood stream this shows a link between the 2 systems.
This provides evidence for M3
Task 3: Evaluate how the cardiovascular system and respiratory system work together to supply the body
with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
To do this you should write a report entitled ‘Journey of Gases’.
Imagine you start off as an oxygen molecule, comment on how you leave the atmosphere and enter the body
and the journey you take until you re-join the atmosphere as a carbon dioxide molecule.
This provides evidence for D2
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose.
Assessor:
Signature:
Date:
Internal Verifier:
Mrs Heather Blackburn
Signature:
Date:
ASSESSMENT & GRADING CRITERIA
ACHIEVED
Qualification:
BTEC Level 2 Diploma In Sport
Year:
2010-2012
Unit:
Unit 4: Anatomy & Physiology For Sport
Learner Name:
Date that grading criteria was achieved
PASS
MERIT
DISTINCTION
P1
P2
M1
P3
P4
M2
D1
M3
D2
P5
P6
Strengths
Areas For Improvements
Learner Comment
Assessor Signature:
Learners Signature:
Date Unit Completed: