Analysing technologies

Question 1

what are wind tunnels ?

Answer 1

• chambers where artificial wind is produced

Question 2

how to wind tunnels work ?

Answer 2

object / person stands in the tunnel while air enters s forced through

Question 3

what are wind tunnels used for ?

Answer 3

• collecting data to measure the effect of air resistance
• optimize aerodynamic airflow around an object
• reduces drag

Question 4

give an example of where wind tunnels are useful ?

Answer 4

• F1 drivers need clothing and cars which can be adapted to increase their aerodynamic efficiency and reduce drag / air resistance

Question 5

give positives of wind tunnels ?

Answer 5

• help to improve aerodynamic efficiency
• reduces drag
• reduces effect of air resistance
• individual pieces of equipment can be tested
• data is objective = reliable
• reduce injury risk
• wind speed and direction can be controlled to mimic competitive conditions

Question 6

give disadvantages of wind tunnels ?

Answer 6

• can’t move in them = doesn’t mimic competitive environment
• lacks ecological validity
• requires frequent calibration and a specialist to calibrate them
• lab based
• expensive

Question 7

what is limb kinematics?

Answer 7

• study of movement in relation to time using motion analysis

Question 8

how are limb kinematics used ?

Answer 8

• reflective markers are placed on bony landmarks and performance is recorded using infra red cameras -
• information is downloaded by computer
• giving record of motion in time and space in digital format
• velocity and acceleration can be calculated
• sports technique analysed
• adjusts technique and reduces the risk of injury

Question 9

what is limb kinematics used for ?

Answer 9

assessing movement
see speed your body is moving at
identifies force of movement
improving technique

Question 10

give positives of limb kinematics ?

Answer 10

• helps correct technique
• helps prevent injuries
• data is readily available
• accurate and reliable data
• gait analysis and movement efficiency assessed

Question 11

give an example of where limb kinematics is used ?

Answer 11

• golf swing technique can be assessed shows where improvements can be made

Question 12

give negatives of limb kinematics ?

Answer 12

• results don’t take individual differences into account
• done in a lab = less valid
• doesn’t mirror competition environment
• expensive
• not readily available - less practical

Question 13

what are force plates ?

Answer 13

• rectangular metal plates that use load cells to measure forces
• platform which measures all forces

Question 14

what do force plates measure ?

Answer 14

• force, velocity, acceleration, displacement, time

Question 15

what are force plates used for ?

Answer 15

• gait analysis
• analysis of movement
• rehabilitation
• balance
• explosive strength
• prevents injury

Question 16

give advantages of force plates?

Answer 16

• prevents injury
• improves sporting techniques
• helps for rehabilitation
• gives immediate accurate reliable data
• results can be used to produce development programmes
• any sport

Question 17

disadvantages of force plates ?

Answer 17

• not available to most
• not practical
• must be calibrated often and needs a specialist to do this
• needs a specialist to interpret data
• hard to replicate some techniques, e.g high jump so less valid

Question 18

how do force plates work ?

Answer 18

• athletes balance, run, jump on a force plates and the size and direction of the forces produced are measured

Question 19

using an example how can force plates analyze gait ?

Answer 19

technique of marathon runner

Question 20

using practical examples how are force plates used to improve performance ?

Answer 20

• analyze posture (back pain of rugby player )
• rehabilitation injuries ( enhance recovery of footballer
• optimize angle of take off ( improve long jumpers technique )
• prevent injury on landings
• adapt prosthesis design (enhance performance of paralympic 100 m sprinter )