JOINTS MUSCLES AND MECHANICS
JUNE 2009-JUNE 2012
1)
2)
3)
4)
JUNE 2008 – JANUARY 2006
1. The analysis of movement, development of fitness and the use of teaching
styles may help teachers to improve the performance of their gymnasts.
Figure 1 shows a gymnast performing a press-up during a fitness session.
Position A
Position B
(i) Using Figure 1, name the main agonist and the main antagonist acting at
the elbow as the gymnast moves from Position A down to Position B.
(2 marks)
(ii) Name the type of muscle contraction that occurs in the main agonist at:

Position A, whilst the gymnast is stationary

As the gymnast moves from Position A down to Position B. (2 marks)
(iii) Using Figure 1, identify through what plane and about which axis the
action at the elbow joint takes place.
(2 marks)
2. In sprint swimming races, swimmers need a quick and efficient start.
Figure 1 shows a swimmer performing a racing start.
(i) With reference to Figure 1, identifying the joint action and the main
agonist at the hip, knee and ankle as the swimmer moves from position A to
position B.
(6 marks)
Joint action
Main agonist
Hip
Knee
Ankle
(ii) Name, sketch and label the lever system operating at the ankle during
the racing start.
(3 marks)
3. Figure 1 shows the drive phase and recovery phase of the leg action
while running.
Figure 1
(a) Using Figure 1, identify the main agonist, the joint action and the type
of contraction at the knee when moving from Position A to Position B.
(3 marks)
(b) Racket players require skills that they have previously learned in order
to perform movements.
Figure 3 shows a squash player executing a forehand stroke.
Figure 3
Using Figure 3, copy and complete Table 2 in your answer book and identify
the type of joint, the joint action and the main agonist at the shoulder and
elbow that are involved in the movement of the racket arm from Position A
to Position B.
Table 2
Type of joint
Joint action
Main agonist
Shoulder
Elbow
(6 marks)
4. Figure 1 shows a football player kicking a ball.
Figure 1
Position A
Position B
(i) With reference to the movement of the kicking leg from position A to
position B, copy and complete Table 1 in your answer book.
(6 marks)
Main agonist
Joint action
Hip
Knee
Ankle
(ii) In which plane and about what axis does the kicking action take place?
(2 marks)
5. Performance can be improved by the effective use of levers and
reinforcement. Figure 2 shows a high jumper at take off.
Figure 2
(a) (i) Using Figure 2, name, sketch and
label the lever system operating at the
ball of the take-off foot.
(3 marks)
(ii) On your diagram, draw and label the
effort arm and the resistance arm.
(2 marks)
(b) Performance can be developed from an analysis of movement and a
transfer of skills. Figure 3 shows a performer throwing a ball.
Figure 3
With reference to the movement of the throwing arm from position A to
position B, copy and complete Table 2 in your answer book.
(5 marks)
Type of Joint
Joint Action
Main Agonist
Shoulder
Elbow
6. To produce a successful triple jump, an athlete has to use his muscles and
joints effectively and demonstrate a high skill level.
Figure 1 shows a triple jumper in the take-off phase of his jump.
Figure 1
(a) Name the joint action that has occurred at
the hip, labelled position A in Figure 1,and
identify the main agonist that has caused this
action.
(2 marks)
(b) (i) Name and sketch the lever system
operating at the knee during take-off, clearly
labelling the effort arm and the resistance arm.
(4 marks)
(ii) What are the advantages and disadvantages of this class of lever
system?
(3 marks)
(c) To achieve a successful javelin throw, the athlete must learn to coordinate the action of the muscles and joints to increase the distance of the
throw. Figure 3 shows an athlete throwing a javelin.
Figure 3
Copy Table 2 into your answer book and then
complete it. Using Figure 3, identify the type of
joint, the joint action and the main agonist involved
at the elbow and the shoulder to achieve the
position shown in Figure 3.
(6 marks)
Throwing Phase
Type of joint
Joint action
Main agonist
Elbow
Shoulder
7. Figure 5 shows the start of a 100 metre sprint race.
Figure 5
(i) Copy Table 3 into your answer book
and then complete it.
Using Figure 5, identify the type of
contraction, the joint action and the
main agonist that are involved at the
ankle during the drive phase and the
recovery phase.
(4 marks)
(ii) Through which plane and about what
axis do the drive phase and the
recovery phase take place?
(2 marks)
Table 3
DRIVE PHASE
RECOVERY PHASE
Type of
contraction
Joint action
Main agonist
(iii) Name, sketch and label the lever system acting at the ball of the foot,
as shown in Figure 5 during the drive action.
(3 marks)
8. During a floor routine, a gymnast will demonstrate a range of movements
which they will have perfected by acting on the guidance given to them by
their coach.
(a) Figure 1 shows the gymnast in a press-up position.
Figure 1
Position A
Position B
Source: www.torq.ltd.uk/exercise
(i) Name the main agonist and main antagonist acting at the elbow joint as
the gymnast moves from position A (up position) to position B (down
position).
(2 marks)
(ii) Name the types of muscle contraction that occur at:

position A (up position) whilst the performer is stationary and;

as the performer moves from position A (up position) to position B
(down position).
(2 marks)
(iii) Using Figure 1, identify through what plane and about which axis the
elbow action takes place.
(2 marks)
Figure 2
(iv) Figure 2 shows a wide arm press-up. What
joint action will take place at the shoulder when
moving from the up position to the down position
in Figure 2 and what is the name of the main
agonist in this movement?
(2 marks)
9. Weightlifters will follow a strength training programme to ensure that
they perform to their optimum level in a competitive performance.
Figure 4 shows a weightlifter performing a squat.
With reference to Figure 4, copy and
complete Table 1 in your answer book and
identify the joint action, main agonist and
the type of muscle contraction at the hip
and ankle joint in the upward phase of the
squat.
(6 marks)
Table 1
Joint action
Hip
Ankle
Main agonist
Type of muscle
contraction
MARK SCHEME - ANALYSIS OF ACTIONS
JUNE 2009- JUNE 2012
1)
2)
3)
4)
June 2008 – JANUARY 2006
1. (i) 2 marks for 2 of:
1. Agonist – triceps (brachii)
2. Antagonist – biceps (brachii)
(ii) 2 marks for 2 of:
1. Position A isometric
2. Position B eccentric/isotonic
(iii) 2 marks for 2 of:
1. Saggital median plane
2. Transverse/horizontal/medio-lateral axis
2. (i) Movement from position A to B
Joint action
Extension
Hip
Extension
Knee
Ankle
Plantar Flexion
Main agonist
Gluteals/Glueteusmaximus
Quadriceps/rectis
femoris
Gastrocnemious
6 marks
(ii)
1. 2nd class lever;
2. Correct order (resistance in middle);
3. Correct labels. 3 marks
3. (a) 1. (Agonist) - hamstrings;
2. (Action) - Flexion/extension to flexion;
3. (Type of contraction) - Concentric/isotonic. 3 marks
3. (b)
Shoulder
Elbow
Type of
joint
Ball &
socket
Hinge
Joint action
Main agonist
Horizonta/lflexion/adduction Pectorals/deltoids
Flexion
Bicep
6 marks
4. (i)
Main agonist
Joint action
Hip
Knee
Hip flexors/illopsoas
Quadriceps/or named
quad group
Flexion
(Flexion to) – Extension
Ankle
Gastrocemious
Plantar – flexion
6 marks
(ii) 1. Sagittal/median plane
2. Transverse/Frontal-horizontal/medial – lateral axis 2 marks
5. Performance can be improved by the effective use of levers and
reinforcement.
DIAGRAM
(a) (i) 1. 2nd class lever Resistance / weight/Load
2. Labels: fulcrum / pivot effort/force
3. Correct order 3 marks
(ii) 1. Effort arm
2. Resistance arm 2 marks
(b)
Type of joint
Joint action
Shoulder
Ball & socket
Horizontal
flexion/adduction
Elbow
Hinge
Extension
Main agonist
Triceps (brachii)
5 marks
6. (a) 1. Extension/Hyper-extension
2. Gluteus Maximus/ Hamstring/ gluteals
(Do not credit gluts) 2 marks
DIAGRAM
Pivot/fulcrum effort/force Resistance/weight/load
Effort Arm
Resistance Arm
(b) (i) 1. Third class/order;
2. Correct order of components/effort in the middle;
3. Effort arm drawn in correct place;
4. Resistance arm drawn in correct place.
4 marks
(ii) Advantages (sub max 2 marks)
1. Wide range of movements possible;
2. The length of the resistance arm is long / force arm is short;
3. Speed of movement rather than force (also applies to first class lever);
4. Small movement of effort/force = large movement of lever;
5. (2nd class only) magnify the effect of the effort force.
Disadvantages (sub max 2 marks)
6. Effort / force arm is short / resistance arm is long;
7. Unable to move / lift much great resistance;
8. More effort / force required is greater than resistance / load / weight;
9. Known as mechanical disadvantage
Must link advantage / disadvantages in order to credit.
(Do not credit points 2 & 6 together, only credit if they qualify) (if wrong
lever in part b(i) can access 3 and 5, 9 but no others).
3 marks
(c)
Throwing phase
Type of Joint
Joint Action
Main agonist
Elbow
Hinge
Extension
Triceps (brachii)
Shoulder
Ball and socket
Hyper /
horizontal
. extension
(Posterior)
Deltoids /
Latissimus dorsi
6 marks
7. (i)
Type of
contraction
Joint action
Main agonist
DRIVE PHASE
RECOVERY PHASE
Concentric/Isotonic
Plantar flexion
Dorsi
flexion
Gastrocnemious
4 marks
(ii) 1. Sagittal / medium plane
2. Transverse / horizontal axis 2 marks
(iii) Effort/force
Pivot/Fulcrum Resistance / Load / Weight
1. Second class / order
2. Correct labels
3. Correct order (load / resistance in the middle)
(Do not credit initials, if wrong lever drawn can only be assessed)
3 marks
8. (a) (i)
1. Agonist . Triceps (brachii);
2. Antagonist - Biceps (brachii).
(Credit first answer only)
1. Position A . Isometric;
2. Position A to B . eccentric/isotonic.
(Credit first answer only)
2 marks
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
2 marks
1. Sagittal Plane/median;
2. Transverse axis/horizontal.
2 marks
1. Adduction/horizontal extension (shoulders are moving forward);
2. Pectoralis Major/ (anterior) deltoids/pectorals.
2 marks
9
Joint action
Main agonist
Muscle contraction
Extension/hyperextension Gluteal
Concentric/isotonic
Hip
muscles/hamstrings
Gastrocnemius
Concentric/isotonic
Ankle Plantar Flexion
(Only credit isotonic once) 6 marks