Exam-Ready Explanations of Exercise Responses
Exercise response questions are common in IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) exams, and they often require clear, structured explanations rather than simple definitions. Many students understand the content but lose marks due to poor organisation, vague language, or missing links to exercise intensity.
Writing exam-ready responses means explaining what changes, why it changes, and how it supports performance.
Start with Clear Identification of the Response
High-scoring IB answers begin by clearly identifying the type of response being described. This helps examiners immediately recognise understanding.
For example:
- “Heart rate increases during exercise to…”
- “Ventilation rises as exercise intensity increases because…”
Avoid starting with general statements such as “the body changes” or “the system responds.” Precision is rewarded in IB SEHS.
Explain the Cause of the Response
After identifying the response, strong answers explain why it occurs. This demonstrates understanding rather than memorisation.
Key causes often include:
- Increased oxygen demand
- Increased carbon dioxide production
- Increased energy requirements
For example, heart rate increases to deliver more oxygen to working muscles and remove waste products more efficiently.
Link the Response to Exercise Performance
The final step in an exam-ready explanation is linking the response to performance or fatigue prevention.
Strong links include:
- Improved oxygen delivery
- Delayed onset of fatigue
- Ability to sustain higher exercise intensity
Answers that stop at description often score fewer marks than those that include clear performance links.
Use Correct IB Terminology
Using precise IB terminology is essential for high-mark responses. This includes terms such as:
- Heart rate
- Stroke volume
- Cardiac output
- Ventilation
- Tidal volume
Avoid vague words like “stuff,” “things,” or “signals.” Clear terminology allows examiners to award marks confidently.
Structure for Full Marks
A reliable structure for exercise response questions is:
- Identify the response
- Explain why it occurs
- Link it to exercise performance
This structure works well for cardiovascular, respiratory, hormonal, and muscular response questions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Frequent errors include:
- Mixing acute and chronic responses
- Listing changes without explanation
- Failing to apply responses to exercise contexts
Avoiding these mistakes significantly improves exam performance.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
If you know the content but struggle to turn it into high-mark answers, RevisionDojo helps IB SEHS students practise exam-ready explanations with structured guidance and feedback. It is the most effective way to turn understanding into results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How detailed should exercise response answers be in IB SEHS?
Answers should be clear and structured, explaining what changes, why it changes, and how it supports performance without unnecessary detail.
Do I need examples in exercise response questions?
Examples are helpful, especially in extended-response questions, as they show application to real exercise scenarios.
What is the best way to practise exercise response questions?
Regular exam-style practice with structured feedback is the most effective way to improve clarity and accuracy.
