Practice IB Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) Topic A.2 Hydration and Nutrition with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for A.2 Hydration and Nutrition and mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 style where relevant.
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A survey was conducted on athletes' nutritional habits before and after workouts. Participants reported all food types they typically consumed, categorized as carbohydrates, protein, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and other. Data were analyzed separately by sex and workout timing (pre vs. post).
Four pie charts (A–D) show food group selections as percentages (%) of all responses, not individuals. Additionally, researchers recorded the average number of distinct food items ticked per athlete per session (count, unitless), shown as mean number of items selected $ SD (items) in Table 1.
Table 1: Average number of food items selected per athlete ( SD)
| Group | Pre-Workout | Post-Workout |
|---|---|---|
| Female athletes | 2.4 0.6 | 2.1 0.5 |
| Male athletes | 2.8 0.7 | 2.3 0.4 |
Figure: Food types selected pre- and post-workout (% of total responses)
A: Females – pre-workout
B: Females – post-workout
C: Males – pre-workout
D: Males – post-workout
Identify the most selected food type for males post-workout (Figure D).
Describe two key changes in food group preference between female athletes pre- and post-workout.
State one physiological reason why male athletes may prefer higher carbohydrate intake before exercise.
Use Table 1 to calculate the average reduction in the number of food items selected from pre- to post-workout for each sex.
Suggest how a reduced variety of food items post-workout might influence macronutrient balance or recovery.
Explain how protein consumption after training supports exercise recovery and muscle adaptation.
Evaluate whether post-workout protein intake appears adequate for both sexes.
Evaluate how inadequate macronutrient intake relative to energy expenditure could increase the risk of Low Energy Availability (LEA) or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Use evidence from the chart and table to support your explanation.
Refer to the urine color chart. If an athlete’s urine consistently matches color D, what does this suggest about their hydration status?
Which macronutrient shows the greatest percentage-point increase in energy contribution from rest to sprint?
The disaccharide shown is most likely to serve what primary role during high-intensity exercise?
The graph shows blood lactate concentration during 30 minutes of increasing-intensity exercise. What does the sharp rise in lactate levels after 15 minutes most likely represent?