Sample Questions & Model Answers
1. Energy Systems
Q: Name the three main energy systems in the body and explain when each is
predominantly used during exercise.
A:
ATP-PC system (phosphagen system): Provides immediate energy for very
short, high-intensity activities (e.g., sprinting 0–10s).
Anaerobic glycolysis (lactic acid system): Dominates in moderate-to-high
intensity efforts lasting ~30s to 2min (e.g., 400m run).
Aerobic (oxidative) system: Main source for longer, lower-intensity exercise
(e.g., endurance running).
2. Fuel Utilisation During Submaximal Exercise
Q: During prolonged submaximal exercise, what fuels are primarily used, and how
does intensity affect this?
A:
At lower intensities, the body relies more on fat oxidation.
As intensity increases, reliance shifts towards carbohydrates (muscle
glycogen and blood glucose).
Thisis known as the “crossover concept.”
3. Cardiovascular System & Hemodynamics
Q: Define stroke volume and cardiac output, and explain how they change with
exercise.
A:
Stroke volume (SV): The amount of blood pumped per heartbeat.
Cardiac output (Q): SV × Heart rate; total blood pumped per minute.
During exercise: SV increases (up to ~40–60% VO₂max), and heart rate rises
steadily. Together, Q increases significantly to deliver more oxygen to
working muscles.
4. Muscular Strength & Adaptation to Training
Q: How does resistance training improve muscular strength at the physiological
level?
A:
Neural adaptations: better motor unit recruitment and firing patterns.
Hypertrophy: increase in muscle fibre size.
Improved tendon/ligament strength supporting load-bearing.
5. Fatigue and Recovery
Q: List two factors that contribute to fatigue during exercise and one method to
enhance recovery.
A:
Contributors to fatigue:
o Accumulation of lactic acid/H⁺ ions → reduced muscle pH.
o Depletion of glycogen stores.
Recovery method: Active recovery (low-intensity exercise) enhances lactate
clearance and circulation.
6. Physiological Testing
Q: What is VO₂max, and why is it considered a key measure of cardiovascular
fitness?
A:
VO₂max is the maximum rate at which oxygen can be taken in, transported,
and used by the body during intense exercise.
It reflects the combined efficiency of the lungs, heart, blood, and muscles.
Higher VO₂max indicates greater endurance capacity.
7. Environmental Effects – Thermoregulation
Q: How does the body regulate temperature during exercise in a hot environment?
A:
Sweating and evaporation help cool the body.
Increased skin blood flow (vasodilation) aids heat dissipation.
However, excessive sweating without fluid replacement may cause
dehydration and impair performance.
8. Altitude Training
Q: Why do athletes train at high altitude, and what adaptations occur?
A:
At altitude, lower oxygen availability stimulates the body to produce more red
blood cells and haemoglobin.
This enhances oxygen transport once the athlete returns to sea level.
Result: improved endurance performance.
Mock Test Paper – Sports &
Exercise Physiology
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – 1
mark each
1. Which energy system provides immediate energy for up to 10 seconds of maximal
effort?
A. Aerobic system
B. ATP-PC system
C. Anaerobic glycolysis
D. Oxidative phosphorylation
Answer: B
2. During prolonged, low-intensity exercise, the body relies primarily on:
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Phosphocreatine
Answer: C
3. Stroke volume is best defined as:
A. Blood pumped per minute
B. Blood pumped per beat
C. Maximum oxygen uptake
D. Amount of air inhaled per breath
Answer: B
4. The accumulation of hydrogen ions in muscle cells primarily causes:
A. Muscle hypertrophy
B. Fatigue due to acidosis
C. Improved oxygen delivery
D. Increased glycogen storage
Answer: B
5. Which of the following is NOT an adaptation to endurance training?
A. Increased mitochondrial density
B. Increased capillarisation
C. Increased glycogen storage
D. Reduced stroke volume
Answer: D
6. VO₂max is expressed in which units?
A. L/min or mL/kg/min
B. bpm
C. mmol/L
D. kJ/min
Answer: A
7. Which method best enhances lactate removal post-exercise?
A. Complete rest
B. Active recovery
C. High-intensity intervals
D. Dehydration
Answer: B
8. Thermoregulation during exercise in heat involves:
A. Vasoconstriction and shivering
B. Vasodilation and sweating
C. Increased glycogen breakdown
D. Reduced skin blood flow
Answer: B
9. At altitude, the main physiological adaptation is:
A. Increased fat oxidation
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Increased red blood cell count
D. Decreased VO₂max
Answer: C
10. Which test directly measures cardiovascular fitness?
A. Handgrip strength test
B. Sit-and-reach test
C. VO₂max treadmill test
D. Skinfold caliper test
Answer: C
Section B: Short Answer Questions – 5 marks each
1. Explain the crossover concept in fuel utilisation during exercise.
Model Answer: At low intensities, the body primarily uses fats as fuel. As exercise
intensity increases, the reliance shifts towards carbohydrates. This shift point, where
carbs overtake fats as the dominant fuel, is called the crossover point.
2. Describe two neural and two muscular adaptations to strength training.
Model Answer:
Neural: improved motor unit recruitment; increased firing frequency.
Muscular: muscle fibre hypertrophy; stronger connective tissues
(tendons/ligaments).
3. How does the cardiovascular system adapt to regular aerobic training? (Name two
adaptations).
Model Answer: Increased stroke volume; lower resting heart rate; increased capillary
density; improved oxygen delivery.
4. State two factors that cause fatigue during prolonged exercise and explain one
recovery method.
Model Answer: Fatigue factors: glycogen depletion, lactic acid accumulation,
dehydration. Recovery: Active recovery enhances lactate clearance and circulation.
5. What is hemodynamics, and why is it important in exercise physiology?
Model Answer: Hemodynamics refers to the movement of blood and the forces
involved in circulation. It is important because efficient blood flow ensures adequate
oxygen and nutrient delivery to working muscles during exercise.
Section C: Case Study – 15 marks
Case:
Amir, a 19-year-old Polytechnic student, is training for his first half-marathon. He
runs 4 times a week and notices that he fatigues quickly during high-intensity
intervals but feels fine during long slow runs. His coach suggests incorporating
altitude training in the school’s hypoxic chamber and adding recovery strategies.
Questions:
1. Which energy system is mainly stressed during his high-intensity intervals?
(2 marks)
2. Why does Amir experience quicker fatigue in these sessions compared to
long runs? (3 marks)
3. What physiological adaptations could altitude training provide him? (4
marks)
4. Suggest two recovery strategies to help Amir recover faster. (3 marks)
5. How could monitoring his VO₂max help in tracking his training progress? (3
marks)
Model Answers:
1. Anaerobic glycolysis (lactic acid system).
2. Because high intensity relies on carbohydrates and produces lactic acid/H⁺
accumulation, leading to muscle fatigue. Long runs rely more on the aerobic
system, which is sustainable.
3. Increased red blood cell count, increased haemoglobin, improved oxygen
delivery and aerobic endurance.
4. Active recovery (light jogging/cycling); proper hydration and nutrition (carb +
protein replenishment).
5. VO₂max indicates his cardiovascular fitness. Improvements show better
oxygen uptake, endurance, and adaptation to training load.
Mock Test Paper – Sports &
Exercise Physiology (with
Explanations)
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – 1
mark each
1. Which energy system provides immediate energy for up to 10 seconds of maximal
effort?
A. Aerobic system
B. ATP-PC system
C. Anaerobic glycolysis
D. Oxidative phosphorylation
Explanation: The ATP-PC (phosphagen) system supplies energy quickly using
stored phosphocreatine, ideal for very short, explosive movements (e.g. sprints,
jumps).
2. During prolonged, low-intensity exercise, the body relies primarily on:
A. Carbohydrates
B. Proteins
C. Fats
D. Phosphocreatine
Explanation: At lower intensities, fat oxidation predominates because oxygen supply
is adequate for aerobic metabolism.
3. Stroke volume is best defined as:
A. Blood pumped per minute
B. Blood pumped per beat
C. Maximum oxygen uptake
D. Amount of air inhaled per breath
Explanation: Stroke volume = volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle with each
heartbeat.
4. The accumulation of hydrogen ions in muscle cells primarily causes:
A. Muscle hypertrophy
B. Fatigue due to acidosis
C. Improved oxygen delivery
D. Increased glycogen storage
Explanation: Anaerobic glycolysis produces lactate and H⁺ ions → muscle pH drops
→ enzymes inhibited → fatigue.
5. Which of the following is NOT an adaptation to endurance training?
A. Increased mitochondrial density
B. Increased capillarisation
C. Increased glycogen storage
D. Reduced stroke volume
Explanation: Endurance training increases SV, mitochondria, capillaries, and
glycogen. Stroke volume improves, not decreases.
6. VO₂max is expressed in which units?
A. L/min or mL/kg/min
B. bpm
C. mmol/L
D. kJ/min
Explanation: VO₂max is the maximum volume of oxygen used per minute, either
absolute (L/min) or relative (mL/kg/min).
7. Which method best enhances lactate removal post-exercise?
A. Complete rest
B. Active recovery
C. High-intensity intervals
D. Dehydration
Explanation: Light exercise maintains circulation, speeding lactate removal and
recovery.
8. Thermoregulation during exercise in heat involves:
A. Vasoconstriction and shivering
B. Vasodilation and sweating
C. Increased glycogen breakdown
D. Reduced skin blood flow
Explanation: Body cools via increased skin blood flow and sweat evaporation.
9. At altitude, the main physiological adaptation is:
A. Increased fat oxidation
B. Increased cardiac output
C. Increased red blood cell count
D. Decreased VO₂max
Explanation: Low oxygen at altitude stimulates erythropoietin (EPO), increasing
RBCs and haemoglobin for better oxygen delivery.
10. Which test directly measures cardiovascular fitness?
A. Handgrip strength test
B. Sit-and-reach test
C. VO₂max treadmill test
D. Skinfold caliper test
Explanation: VO₂max tests measure aerobic capacity, a key marker of
cardiovascular fitness.
Section B: Short Answer Questions – 5 marks each
1. Explain the crossover concept in fuel utilisation during exercise.
Answer: At low intensities, fats are the main fuel. As intensity increases,
carbohydrate use rises while fat use falls. The “crossover point” is when carbs
become the dominant fuel.
Explanation: At higher intensity, muscle requires ATP faster; carbohydrates yield
ATP more quickly than fat, even though fat is more energy-dense.
2. Describe two neural and two muscular adaptations to strength training.
Answer:
Neural: better motor unit recruitment, increased firing frequency.
Muscular: muscle fibre hypertrophy, stronger connective tissues.
Explanation: Early strength gains often come from neural efficiency, while
long-term gains are from muscle hypertrophy and connective tissue
adaptation.
3. How does the cardiovascular system adapt to regular aerobic training? (Name two
adaptations).
Answer: Increased stroke volume; lower resting heart rate; increased capillary
density; improved oxygen delivery.
Explanation: Aerobic training enhances heart efficiency, circulation, and oxygen
transport, improving endurance capacity.
4. State two factors that cause fatigue during prolonged exercise and explain one
recovery method.
Answer:
Fatigue factors: glycogen depletion, lactic acid accumulation, dehydration.
Recovery: active recovery helps clear lactate and restores circulation.
Explanation: Fatigue can be metabolic (fuel depletion) or biochemical (acid
build-up). Active recovery prevents blood pooling and speeds clearance.
5. What is hemodynamics, and why is it important in exercise physiology?
Answer: Hemodynamics = study of blood flow and pressures in circulation. Important
because efficient blood flow ensures oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles during
exercise.
Explanation: Exercise increases demand on cardiovascular system; hemodynamics
explains how pressure, resistance, and flow adapt to meet oxygen needs.
Section C: Case Study – 15 marks
Case: Amir, a 19-year-old Polytechnic student, trains for a half-marathon. He
fatigues during high-intensity intervals but feels fine during long slow runs. His coach
suggests altitude training and recovery strategies.
Q1. Which energy system is mainly stressed during his high-intensity intervals? (2
marks)
Answer: Anaerobic glycolysis (lactic acid system).
Explanation: Intervals are high intensity, short duration → rely on carbohydrate
breakdown without oxygen, producing lactate.
Q2. Why does Amir experience quicker fatigue in these sessions compared to long
runs? (3 marks)
Answer: High-intensity sessions cause lactate/H⁺ buildup and glycogen depletion →
fatigue. Long runs rely more on aerobic metabolism, which is sustainable.
Explanation: Aerobic system produces ATP more slowly but efficiently, with less
metabolic by-products.
Q3. What physiological adaptations could altitude training provide him? (4 marks)
Answer: Increased red blood cells, haemoglobin, improved oxygen delivery,
enhanced aerobic endurance.
Explanation: Low oxygen at altitude triggers EPO release → more RBCs → better
oxygen carrying capacity.
Q4. Suggest two recovery strategies to help Amir recover faster. (3 marks)
Answer: Active recovery (light cycling/jogging); proper hydration and nutrition (carbs
+ protein).
Explanation: Active recovery aids lactate clearance; nutrition/hydration restore
energy stores and fluid balance.
Q5. How could monitoring his VO₂max help in tracking his training progress? (3
marks)
Answer: VO₂max reflects aerobic capacity. Improvements show better oxygen
uptake, transport, and utilisation → training effectiveness.
Explanation: Regular VO₂max tests provide objective data to monitor endurance
gains and adjust training intensity.