AQA_2024: A-level Physical Education - Paper 2
Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and Sport.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signat ure
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Paper 2 Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity
and sport
Wednesday 5 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For this paper you may use:
For Examiner’s Use
a calculator.
Section Mark
Instructions A
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for drawing.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. B
Answer all questions. You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. C
Do not write on blank pages.
TOTAL
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 105.
Questions should be answered in continuous prose. You will be assessed on
your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-Level Physical Education Paper 2: Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and
Sport, focus on the following key areas:
1. Physiological Factors:
Energy Systems: Understand the three energy systems (ATP-PC, Anaerobic Glycolysis, Aerobic
System) and their role in different types of physical activity.
Cardiovascular System: Study how the heart, blood vessels, and lungs work together to deliver oxygen
during exercise, and the role of adaptations like increased stroke volume and cardiac output.
Respiratory System: Explore the process of breathing and gas exchange, including lung capacity and
the importance of aerobic fitness in performance.
Musculoskeletal System: Focus on muscle structure, types of muscle fibers (slow-twitch and fast-
twitch), and the role of strength, power, and flexibility in performance.
Flexibility and Joint Mobility: Understand the importance of flexibility for injury prevention and optimal
performance.
2. Psychological Factors:
Arousal and Anxiety: Study the relationship between arousal and performance, and how Yerkes-
Dodson Law explains optimal performance under varying levels of stress or anxiety.
Mental Preparation: Understand techniques like visualization, goal setting, and relaxation strategies
to improve focus and performance.
Motivation: Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the impact of each on sustained
performance.
Confidence: Explore how self-confidence, self-efficacy (Bandura), and self-esteem contribute to optimal
performance.
3. Biomechanical Factors:
Levers and Motion: Study the mechanics of lever systems in the body, and how they affect movement
efficiency in different sports.
Balance and Stability: Understand how maintaining balance and stability is essential for performance,
especially in activities like gymnastics or swimming.
Force Production: Examine the role of force and torque in producing powerful, efficient movements,
and the impact of biomechanical principles on performance.
Technique: Understand how good technique minimizes energy wastage, reduces injury risk, and
improves overall efficiency in sport.
4. Environmental Factors:
Climate and Weather Conditions: Study how factors like heat, humidity, and altitude impact physical
performance and the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
6. Training:
Types of Training: Understand different training methods (strength, endurance, flexibility, interval
training) and how they contribute to improving performance.
Principles of Training: Learn about key principles such as progressive overload, specificity,
reversibility, and adaptation.
Periodization: Study how training is planned in cycles (macro, meso, and microcycles) to peak
performance at the right time.
IB/H/Jun24/G4002/E5 7582/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Exercise physiology and biomechanics
Answer all questions in this section.
Only one answer per question is allowed.
For each question completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate answer.
CORRECT METHOD WRONG METHODS
If you want to change your answer you must cross out your original answer as shown.
If you wish to return to an answer previously crossed out, ring the answer you now wish to select
as shown.
0 1 Which one of the following is an acute injury?
[1 mark]
A Achilles tendonitis
B Dislocated shoulder
C Tibial stress fracture
0 2 Which one of the following is a correct unit of measurement for acceleration?
[1 mark]
A Metres (m)
B Metres per second (m/s)
2
C Metres per second squared (m/s )
D Seconds (s)
IB/H/Jun24/7582/2
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 3 box
State three factors which affect stability.
[3 marks]
1
2
3
0 4 . 1 Height of release and speed of release are two factors affecting the horizontal
displacement of a projectile.
Name one other factor which affects the horizontal displacement of a projectile.
[1 mark]
0 4 . 2 Figure 1 shows the flight path of a shot put.
Sketch the vector components at the three points shown on Figure 1, which
represent:
the point of release
the highest point of flight
the point immediately before landing.
[3 marks]
Figure 1
Turn over ►
IB/H/Jun24/7582/2
Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and Sport.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signat ure
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Paper 2 Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity
and sport
Wednesday 5 June 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours
Materials
For this paper you may use:
For Examiner’s Use
a calculator.
Section Mark
Instructions A
Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for drawing.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. B
Answer all questions. You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. C
Do not write on blank pages.
TOTAL
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be
marked.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 105.
Questions should be answered in continuous prose. You will be assessed on
your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
,For A-Level Physical Education Paper 2: Factors Affecting Optimal Performance in Physical Activity and
Sport, focus on the following key areas:
1. Physiological Factors:
Energy Systems: Understand the three energy systems (ATP-PC, Anaerobic Glycolysis, Aerobic
System) and their role in different types of physical activity.
Cardiovascular System: Study how the heart, blood vessels, and lungs work together to deliver oxygen
during exercise, and the role of adaptations like increased stroke volume and cardiac output.
Respiratory System: Explore the process of breathing and gas exchange, including lung capacity and
the importance of aerobic fitness in performance.
Musculoskeletal System: Focus on muscle structure, types of muscle fibers (slow-twitch and fast-
twitch), and the role of strength, power, and flexibility in performance.
Flexibility and Joint Mobility: Understand the importance of flexibility for injury prevention and optimal
performance.
2. Psychological Factors:
Arousal and Anxiety: Study the relationship between arousal and performance, and how Yerkes-
Dodson Law explains optimal performance under varying levels of stress or anxiety.
Mental Preparation: Understand techniques like visualization, goal setting, and relaxation strategies
to improve focus and performance.
Motivation: Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and the impact of each on sustained
performance.
Confidence: Explore how self-confidence, self-efficacy (Bandura), and self-esteem contribute to optimal
performance.
3. Biomechanical Factors:
Levers and Motion: Study the mechanics of lever systems in the body, and how they affect movement
efficiency in different sports.
Balance and Stability: Understand how maintaining balance and stability is essential for performance,
especially in activities like gymnastics or swimming.
Force Production: Examine the role of force and torque in producing powerful, efficient movements,
and the impact of biomechanical principles on performance.
Technique: Understand how good technique minimizes energy wastage, reduces injury risk, and
improves overall efficiency in sport.
4. Environmental Factors:
Climate and Weather Conditions: Study how factors like heat, humidity, and altitude impact physical
performance and the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
6. Training:
Types of Training: Understand different training methods (strength, endurance, flexibility, interval
training) and how they contribute to improving performance.
Principles of Training: Learn about key principles such as progressive overload, specificity,
reversibility, and adaptation.
Periodization: Study how training is planned in cycles (macro, meso, and microcycles) to peak
performance at the right time.
IB/H/Jun24/G4002/E5 7582/2
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section A box
Exercise physiology and biomechanics
Answer all questions in this section.
Only one answer per question is allowed.
For each question completely fill in the circle alongside the appropriate answer.
CORRECT METHOD WRONG METHODS
If you want to change your answer you must cross out your original answer as shown.
If you wish to return to an answer previously crossed out, ring the answer you now wish to select
as shown.
0 1 Which one of the following is an acute injury?
[1 mark]
A Achilles tendonitis
B Dislocated shoulder
C Tibial stress fracture
0 2 Which one of the following is a correct unit of measurement for acceleration?
[1 mark]
A Metres (m)
B Metres per second (m/s)
2
C Metres per second squared (m/s )
D Seconds (s)
IB/H/Jun24/7582/2
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 3 box
State three factors which affect stability.
[3 marks]
1
2
3
0 4 . 1 Height of release and speed of release are two factors affecting the horizontal
displacement of a projectile.
Name one other factor which affects the horizontal displacement of a projectile.
[1 mark]
0 4 . 2 Figure 1 shows the flight path of a shot put.
Sketch the vector components at the three points shown on Figure 1, which
represent:
the point of release
the highest point of flight
the point immediately before landing.
[3 marks]
Figure 1
Turn over ►
IB/H/Jun24/7582/2
