Anatomy, Physiology and Exercise Science (NSQF Physical Education)
Anatomy, Physiology and Exercise Science tests body structure and how the systems respond to exercise - skeleton and muscles, joints, cardiorespiratory response, energy systems and recovery. Questions are commonly numerical or "which system supplies this activity?" type.
Skeleton, muscle and joints
- Adult skeleton: 206 bones, divided into axial (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and appendicular (limbs and girdles).
- Muscle types: skeletal (striated, voluntary), smooth (involuntary, in organs), cardiac (striated, involuntary, intercalated discs).
- Joints: hinge (elbow, knee), ball-and-socket (shoulder, hip), pivot (atlas–axis), gliding (carpals), saddle (thumb).
- Agonist produces the movement, antagonist opposes it, synergist stabilises it.
Cardiorespiratory response
Cardiac output (Q) = heart rate × stroke volume. Resting Q ≈ 5 L/min; maximal Q can reach 20–25 L/min. Tidal volume ≈ 500 mL; vital capacity ≈ 4.8 L in men. Blood pressure is written systolic/diastolic, normal ≈ 120/80 mmHg. Training lowers resting heart rate and raises stroke volume.
Energy systems
- ATP–CP (phosphagen): about 10 s - sprints, jumps, throws.
- Anaerobic glycolysis: up to about 90 s - 400 m.
- Aerobic: long duration, uses carbohydrate and fat, large ATP yield.
Worked example
An athlete has a resting HR of 70 beats/min and stroke volume of 70 mL. Q = 70 × 70 = 4,900 mL ≈ 4.9 L/min. At maximal effort, HR 180 and SV 110 mL: Q = 180 × 110 = 19,800 mL ≈ 19.8 L/min - roughly four times resting, showing both HR and SV contribute.
Traps
Multiplying HR by SV but forgetting to convert mL to L; reversing systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation); claiming the aerobic system fuels a 100 m sprint; confusing tidal volume with vital capacity.