SPECIAL PURPOSE EXAMINATION (SPEX) | 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Why might it be effective for a coach to schedule skill practices in the evenings and not in the
mornings? -
ANSWER
post-practice sleep consolidates (improves) skill learning
Provide one pro and one con of static stretching. -
ANSWER
Pro - muscle relaxation, ranges of motion, prevention of hamstring injury
Con - reduces performance, time consuming
List and briefly define/explain FOUR variables, recommended by the American College
of Sports Medicine, that are manipulated in a training programme? -
ANSWER
FITT-VP
Frequency - how often someone exercises
Intensity - how hard
Time - the duration or how long they exercise
Type - the modality of exercise undertaken
Volume - the total amount of exercise undertaken in a session
Progression/Pattern - what exercise is planned over a period of time
Fit people recover faster from a given exercise bout. What are TWO implications of this? -
ANSWER
Can exercise again earlier/ more intensely
Give an example of the tremendous diversity in the contexts, needs or priorities of exercise science.
(This might be in its development as a science, or at the present time). -
, ANSWER
human ability/ activity levels being substantive to limited, or humans diverging in present time from
extremely fit to unfit, etc
Give ONE reason why it is valuable to know someone's hydration state for measuring their body
composition, and ONE method by which hydration status might be estimated? -
ANSWER
water comprises most of our cells
estimated through, Thirst, Urine colour/frequency.
Explain why it seems easier to lift heavy weights on the calf raise machine in the gym compared to
other exercises. -
ANSWER
The distance of the Achilles tendon from the axis is greater than the distance of the resistance to the
axis providing a muscular mechanical advantage.
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles also have higher force capability than most muscles
Bungard (2009) outlines the 5 guiding principles of a HAES approach. Identify TWO of these and
provide a brief description of each. -
ANSWER
1. Enhancing health:
2. Size and self acceptance:
.3· The pleasure of eating well-4. The joy of movement-
5· An end to weight bias-
List FOUR effects or functions of adipose tissue that are relevant to fitness or health. -
ANSWER
-Energy store,
-Inflammatory
-Reduces acceleration
-Reduces power to weight ratio
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Why might it be effective for a coach to schedule skill practices in the evenings and not in the
mornings? -
ANSWER
post-practice sleep consolidates (improves) skill learning
Provide one pro and one con of static stretching. -
ANSWER
Pro - muscle relaxation, ranges of motion, prevention of hamstring injury
Con - reduces performance, time consuming
List and briefly define/explain FOUR variables, recommended by the American College
of Sports Medicine, that are manipulated in a training programme? -
ANSWER
FITT-VP
Frequency - how often someone exercises
Intensity - how hard
Time - the duration or how long they exercise
Type - the modality of exercise undertaken
Volume - the total amount of exercise undertaken in a session
Progression/Pattern - what exercise is planned over a period of time
Fit people recover faster from a given exercise bout. What are TWO implications of this? -
ANSWER
Can exercise again earlier/ more intensely
Give an example of the tremendous diversity in the contexts, needs or priorities of exercise science.
(This might be in its development as a science, or at the present time). -
, ANSWER
human ability/ activity levels being substantive to limited, or humans diverging in present time from
extremely fit to unfit, etc
Give ONE reason why it is valuable to know someone's hydration state for measuring their body
composition, and ONE method by which hydration status might be estimated? -
ANSWER
water comprises most of our cells
estimated through, Thirst, Urine colour/frequency.
Explain why it seems easier to lift heavy weights on the calf raise machine in the gym compared to
other exercises. -
ANSWER
The distance of the Achilles tendon from the axis is greater than the distance of the resistance to the
axis providing a muscular mechanical advantage.
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles also have higher force capability than most muscles
Bungard (2009) outlines the 5 guiding principles of a HAES approach. Identify TWO of these and
provide a brief description of each. -
ANSWER
1. Enhancing health:
2. Size and self acceptance:
.3· The pleasure of eating well-4. The joy of movement-
5· An end to weight bias-
List FOUR effects or functions of adipose tissue that are relevant to fitness or health. -
ANSWER
-Energy store,
-Inflammatory
-Reduces acceleration
-Reduces power to weight ratio
