The sporting edge – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The following questions look at the physiology and the biomechanics of muscles and at strength training. The key question is how strength training can improve sporting performance.

The article The sporting edge – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. What is muscle?

• Muscle types

Q. How do muscles work?

• Muscle contraction

Q. What do muscles look like?

• Muscle structure – muscle under the microscope

Q. Where are my muscles?

• Meet some muscles

Q. How do muscles and bones work together?

• What levers does your body use?

Q. How can I work out how strong I am?

• Measuring muscle strength

• How 1RM is predicted

Q. Where do my muscles get their energy from?

• Energy for exercise

Q. How come some people are better sprinters than others?

• Marathon versus sprint

• Breaking running records

Q. What affects how well muscles work?

• Muscle performance

Q. What are New Zealand scientists doing about this?

• Whole body vibration training

• Research to improve athletic performance