ACHPER (SA)

2014

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological

Factors
Affecting Performance
Body stature and composition
Environmental considerations and performance
Nutrition and physical performance.
Fatigue and physical performance

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, SA Branch Inc.
ACHPER (SA) 2014
Published January 2014
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Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, SA Branch Inc.
ACHPER (SA)
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 ACHPER (SA)
2014

Slide Set 3
Key Concept 3: The Specific
Physiological Factors Affecting
Performance
Sub-Concept 1 Body Stature and
Composition

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Physical performance essentially a combination of genetic qualities (things that

athletes are born with) and the ability to do physical work ( capacity ).

Can also be developed through training.

Athletes basic ability to do physical exercise plays an important part in competitive

sport ability.

A number of factors have an influence on the stature and composition of the human
body for example:

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

 ACHPER (SA)
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A number of factors have an influence on the stature and composition of the human
body continued:

Gende
r

Muscle and fat levels play essential roles in performance capacities.

Body stature by definition relates to the natural height of a human or animal in an

upright position.

Composition by definition relates to the combining of distinct parts or elements to form

a whole or the manner in which such parts are combined or related.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

 ACHPER (SA)
2014

Muscle Mass:

Muscle has a big effect on performance both to a positive and negative degree.

When muscle has greater cross sectional area (cm 2) it can produce more force. This is
why athletes undertake training such as weights - to increase the size of muscle
especially in sports where power, strength and speed are essential.

The diagram shows the different cross sectional are

(diameters) of the muscles in the human arm.

The biggest exerts the most force - the Triceps Brachii

because it is 18.8 cms2.

Type of muscle that an athlete possesses also

important.

There are essentially 2 different kinds of skeletal

muscle fibre found in the body.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

There are essentially 2 different kinds of skeletal muscle fibres found in the body.
Fibre Type

Slow Twitch (ST)

Fast Twitch (FT)

Alternative Names

Red Fibres
Slow Twitch
SO=Slow Oxidative

White Fibres
Fast Twitch
FG=Fast Glycolytic

Contraction Time (speed)

Slow

Very Fast

Size of Motor Unit or Neuron that

triggers fibres

Small

Very Large

Resistance to fatigue

High

Low

Force production

Low

Very High

Mitochondrial density

High

Low

Capillary density

High

Low

Ability to use oxygen

High

Low

Major fuel used

Glycogen and Triglycerides

Creatine-phosphate and glycogen

Fibre size (diameter)

Smallest

Largest

Colour

Red

White

Examples of activity used for

Endurance type activities and maintaining posture

Power involving rapid, intense movements

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

Type I = fast or white fibres.

Essentially used for powerful actions for a short duration.

Activities such as sprinting, jumping and throwing are good examples.

The fitness component of power requires white fibres to be dominant.

Type II = slow or red fibres.

Essentially used for activity over a long time.

Dominant during endurance activity that requires repeated efforts.

The fitness component of muscle endurance requires the red fibres to be

dominant.

Humans have both fibres present in their muscles but in different

proportions

Referred to as the fibre ratio.

Most common is 50:50 or half red and half white.

This ratio is largely determined by genetics.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

Influence of ratio can be seen below :

I m p li c a t i o n s o f F i b r e R a t io
a n d A t h le t i c C a p a b i l it y
H ig h % F a s t T w it c h
m e a n s a h ig h
c a p a c it y f o r s p r in t o r
p o w er even ts .

H ig h % S lo w
T w it c h m e a n s a
h ig h c a p a c it y f o r
e n d u ra n c e e v e n ts.

In a number of cases this ratio is different.

This allows certain athletes to be better suited to specific events. For example :

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

Using the data on the left, state 2

advantages to the sprinter of having a
greater white fibre ratio.

Answer

White

fibres

have

greater cross sectional area (cm 2)

they

produce

more

force

essential in a power event like 100

They also have more motor and larger metres.

motor units firing into them to
produce more force. They also possess more of the fuels needed in force

production.
Using the data above state 2 advantages to the long distance runner of having a
greater red fibre ratio.

Answer = Red fibres are smaller but resist fatigue for longer periods of time
essential in

endurance events to resist fatigue. They are also rich in endurance fuels such as
carbohydrate and fatty acid. They are also served by a rich, dense supply of
capillaries that bring lots of oxygen to the muscles to assist in prolonged
Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

Muscle weighs twice as much as fat affects the mass of an athlete.

Impacts on their acceleration and speed.

White fibres get bigger with training.

Increase in the diameter or cross sectional area is known as hypertrophy.

When muscle mass becomes excessive it increases mass affecting acceleration and
speed maintenance.

Key to how an increase in mass affects acceleration and speed related to Newtons
Second Law of physics which states acceleration of a body is directly proportional to
the net force acting on it but inversely proportional to the mass of the body that is
acceleration of a body dependent on the force moving it and weight being moved.

For example 80 kilogram athlete will accelerate more quickly than one who is 90
kilograms (10 kilograms heavier) with the same level of force applied.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Muscle Fibre Types:

Muscles can get bigger and provide the athlete with more force to a point!

If their mass is greater than the force applied to move it then acceleration will be less
NOT greater!

Increase in cross sectional area of muscle also affects range of motion again affecting
the force potential of a movement through a given range.

In essence less force is produced.

Hypertroph
y
Bigger muscles produce
more force = faster
acceleration.

Excessive
hypertrophy

Muscles too big imbalance

the mass to force
relationship and affect
acceleration.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Study - The Impact of Muscle Fibre Ratio and Athletic Performa

table below shows the data related to muscle fibre ratio and cross sectional area of muscle in 3 individ

e these individuals are elite athletes.

Identify the individual who is the elite

sprinter.

Answer = Individual A.

Explain the reason for your selection.

Answer = Greater FT (white fibre)

ratio (76%).
More force produced by power

fibres
Identify the individual who is the elite distance runner.
needed in sprinters.
Answer = Individual B

Explain the reason for your selection.

Answer = Greater ST (red fibre) ratio (69%). Better endurance capabilities with

less power, essential in

endurance events.
Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Genetics:

Area extremely controversial with many experts divided .

Over 10 million genetic variations in the human body with some 2005 influencing
physical performance! 200 gene variations exist that have an influence on :

cardio-respiratory,
endurance,
strength,
muscle size,
muscle fibre composition,
lung capacity,
oxygen intake, flexibility and power capabilities in humans.

A great deal of research done in mapping these alleles, especially ones related to activity.

Alleles different form of a gene located in a specific place on a chromosome controlling a

specific trait responsible for genetic variation.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Genetics:

Alleles that have a significant bearing on athletic performance include :

Allele
ACTN3
ACE
ABDR

Influence
Discovered by Australians this influences skeletal muscle in generating force at high velocity. It is
especially prominent in FT fibres. Endurance runners tend to have a lower level.
Associated with a number of physical, and skill parameters in humans. It is linked to improved
endurance capacity with improved blood flow to muscles that fosters endurance capacity.
Improved heart and lung function which translates to better VO2 max and hence endurance
capacities.

Allele
VDR
PPARGCIa

Influence
Impacts on muscle size and strength.
Influences muscles resistance to fatigue

CK-MM

Aids improved ATP regeneration for increased power output.

AMPDI

Promotes increased muscle energy metabolism.

PPAR

Involved in the determination of muscle fibre composition.

AAG

Determines maximal oxygen uptake capacity. Higher levels of AAG the better the VO2 max.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Genetics:

Research in Virginia was conducted on the influence of genetics on sporting

performance.

Study of fitness levels in 105 pairs of 10-year-old identical twins and was quoted :

"What is clear is that genes have something to say, and they will
determine what range of fitness you can expect yourself to end up
in. If you want to be a top athlete, for instance, you had better
have a pretty good set of genes."

Found approximately 75 % of a child's ability to pull weights with the arms and to do
bent-arm hangs was genetically influenced.

Two-thirds of a child's vertical-jumping ability, and two-thirds of a male child's aerobic

capacity (and 90 % of a female child's capacity) linked to heredity.

The role of genetics cannot be ignored.

The table shows the genetic factors cited in reference

texts

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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se Study - Genetic Attributes in Sport:

The Diagram below outlines a number of genes or alleles that influence human
performance capabilities.
Allele
Influence
ACTN3

ACE
ABDR

Discovered by Australians this influences skeletal muscle in generating force at high velocity. It is
especially prominent in FT fibres. Endurance runners tend to have a lower level.
Associated with a number of physical, and skill parameters in humans. It is linked to improved
endurance capacity with improved blood flow to muscles that fosters endurance capacity.
Improved heart and lung function which translates to better VO2 max and hence endurance
capacities.

Explain the advantage to a potential marathon runner that having a higher level of the
ACE gene would have on their performance.

Answer = Improved blood flow delivers more oxygen to the muscles. This oxygen is
then used to keep lactic acid under control better at higher intensities fuels such as
carbohydrate and fatty acids are used better.

Explain the advantage to a potential power athlete that having a higher level of the
ACTN3 gene would have on their performance.

Answer =FT or fast twitch fibres are essential in power events. They produce power
but for short periods of time due rapid onset of fatigue. More of these fibres is a
definite advantage to these athletes.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Gender:

Level of performance in athletic events between males and females is different.

Track Event

Percentage of Difference in
Performance time

100 metres

7%

200 metres

10%

400 metres

10%

800 metres

12%

1500 metres

12%

3000 metres

10%

5000 metres

12%

10000 metres

11%

Marathon

8%

Differences relate to anthropometric or structural factors (skeletal and muscular) as

well as systematic or functioning factors (cardiac and respiratory).

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Gender:
Difference

Explanation
Females have wider hips than males, and narrower
shoulder spread.

Anthropometric

Females have a different pelvis inclination than males

(angle)
Females have a greater curvature in the spine than
males.
Females elbows and knees are bigger than males.

strength, less speed and

speed endurance than
males.

Muscular

Body Composition
Cardio-vascular
Respiratory

of the muscular
physiological differences.

Females also related to

hormones and fact many
adaptations due to child
birth requirements.

Females have more adipose tissue than males.

Males have larger hearts than females.

Hormone testosterone in
males accounts for many

Females have smaller frames (body) in general than

males.
Males have larger tendons to anchor bigger muscles
than females. Force generation is therefore greater.
Males have greater muscle volume than females (note
this is not cross sectional area)
Males neuro-muscular systems have bigger muscle
fibres.
Males have more motor units firing nerve impulses
into more muscle fibres to produce more force.

Women have less

Example females

Males have a greater blood volume than females,

therefore less red blood cells.

possess a greater Q

Females lungs are smaller and therefore oxygen

consumption is less than males.

angle at the hips for the

purpose of child birth.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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e Study - Gender Attributes and Sporting Performance :

Using diagrams from the text the tasks set included :

Explain 1 structural feature males have that give them a performance advantage over
females in the 100 metres.

Answer = Structural features relate to the muscular and skeletal systems.

Males have bigger muscles (cross sectional area) than females there generate
more force (power) needed in an event like the 100 metres.

Males also have larger tendons and ligaments which allow for more force to be
produced by bigger muscles.

Explain 1 system related feature males have that give them a performance advantage
over females in the 100 metres.

Answer =The fact males have bigger hearts allows them to shift a larger
amount of blood quickly needed during a power event such as the 100 metres
where a great amount of blood is needed by the muscles working at 100% effort.

Explain 1 system related feature males have that give them a performance advantage
over females in the 10,000 metres.

Answer =Bigger lungs and a bigger heart with more blood allow for more

oxygen to be delivered to the muscles to maintain performance during

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance
endurance events such as 10,000 metres.

 ACHPER (SA)
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omatotype:
Somatotype categorises human body shapes
Developed in the 1940s by an American psychologist William Sheldon.
Basically used the classification of body types to link to human temperament.
It as the physique or the body proportions of a person, appearance or development.

There are essentially 3 body types that are used. These are outlined below.

Endomorphs

Little muscle definition high proportion of fat.

Large mass impacts on ability in sports where speed, agility and

activities requiring a sustained load over time such as running.

Tend to have short arms and legs a prominent stomach and

hips.

Suited to activity where strength required such as power lifting,

wrestling, or power sports in general

Put on muscle bulk or mass readily - also put weight on easily

and lose

quicklyFactors
when they
stop training.
Key Concept 3: The Specificcondition
Physiological
Affecting
Performance

 ACHPER (SA)
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Somatotype:
Mesomorphs

Athletic shaped people!

Wide broad shoulders, muscled arms and legs, narrow hips with
minimal fat - described as wedge shaped.

Excel in strength, agility and speed - large amount of muscle.

Tendency to put on muscle make them ideal for any sport

especially team sports where speed relative to power (muscle
mass) and mass are optimal.

Ectomorphs

Little muscle definition.

Low muscle mass and body fat.

Long, slender and thin with narrow shoulders and hips, thin arms and
legs.

Not all that suited to power and strength sports where muscle bulk is
essential.

Dominate

endurance

events

and

events

where

lighter

Key Concept 3: The advantageous.

Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

mass

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Somatotype:

Blank solutions indicated.

Sport

Endomorph

Track Sprinters

Low

Marathon Runners

Low

Medium

High

High

Medium

Low

Weight Lifters
(heavy weights)

Mesomorph
High

Ectomorph
Low

Tennis Players

Low

Medium

Water-polo Players

Low

High

Low

Low

High

Low

Soccer Players

Low

Medium

AFL Footballers

Low

High

Low

Netballers

Low

Medium

Low

Gymnasts
(male)

Low

Low

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance

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Somatotype:
Sport

Endomorph

Mesomorph

Ectomorph

Track Sprinters

Low

High

Low

High

Medium

Low

Low

High

Low

Weight Lifters
(heavy weights)
Gymnasts
(male)

Explain the advantage of the somatotype seen in the Gymnasts in relation to

performance in their sport.

Answer = Power and agility key requirements therefore somatotype

dominant in these essential.

Explain the advantage of the somatotype seen in the Weight- Lifters in relation to
performance in their sport.

Answer = Power and strength key elements, also balance / stability bigger
mass aids this - therefore high endomorph ratio is essential in this activity.

Explain the advantage of the somatotype seen in the Sprinters in relation to

performance in their sport.

Key Concept 3: The Specific Physiological Factors Affecting Performance
Answer = Power and strength key elements and the need for a muscular