ExpertMedium4 marksExtended Response
The Human Body and Movement in Physical Activity and SportComponents of FitnessExplosive StrengthPowerAthletics
AQA GCSE · Question 10.2 · The Human Body and Movement in Physical Activity and Sport
Anna uses explosive strength when running a 400m race.
Define 'explosive strength'.
Justify why explosive strength is important when running a 400m race.
Anna uses explosive strength when running a 400m race.
Define 'explosive strength'.
Justify why explosive strength is important when running a 400m race.
How to approach this question
1. For the definition, recall the formula Power = Strength x Speed and explain it in words. 2. For the justification, think about the different phases of a 400m race. When would a burst of power be most useful? Consider the start and the finish, and the action of running itself.
Full Answer
**Definition:** Explosive strength is the product of strength and speed, often described as power. It is the ability to exert a maximal force in a very short period of time.
**Justification:** Explosive strength is crucial for a 400m runner, particularly at the start of the race to accelerate quickly out of the blocks. It is also important for maintaining a powerful and efficient stride length throughout the race, especially during the final sprint to the finish line when fatigue sets in. A powerful leg drive, generated by explosive strength, helps to propel the runner forward with each step.
**Definition:** Explosive strength, also known as power, is a combination of two components of fitness: strength and speed. It is the ability to overcome a resistance with a high speed of contraction. The formula is Power = Strength × Speed.
**Justification:** In a 400m race, which is often called a long sprint, explosive strength is vital for several reasons:
1. **The Start:** The runner needs to explode out of the starting blocks to accelerate to top speed as quickly as possible. This initial drive requires immense power.
2. **Stride Power:** Throughout the race, each push-off from the ground requires explosive strength in the leg muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, gastrocnemius) to maintain a long and powerful stride, maximizing the distance covered with each step.
3. **Sprint Finish:** In the final 100m, as fatigue builds, the runner must call upon their explosive strength to maintain form and speed, and to produce a final sprint to the finish line.
Common mistakes
Defining explosive strength as just 'strength' or just 'speed'. For the justification, giving vague answers like 'to run fast' without specifying parts of the race or the biomechanics involved.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 1
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