Practice A.1—Communication with authentic IB Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like core principles, advanced applications, and practical problem-solving. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
Identify two systems that collaborate to regulate ventilation.
2.[2]
State two factors that increase ventilation rate during intense exercise.
3.[3]
Describe how partial pressure gradients drive the exchange of gases during exercise.
4.[4]
Explain how the circulatory system compensates for increased oxygen demand during interval training.
5.[4]
Outline the importance of cardiovascular control centers in adapting to variable intensity workloads.
6.[5]
Discuss the consequences of impaired gas exchange on homeostasis and athletic performance.
Question 2
SLPaper 1A
The graph shows the heart rate response (bpm) over 30 minutes for interval vs. continuous training.
Question:
Which of the following best explains the heart rate pattern seen in the interval training group?
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
State the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation.
2.[2]
Identify two internal conditions regulated by homeostatic mechanisms.
3.[3]
Describe how the nervous system responds to an increase in body temperature.
4.[3]
Describe the function of insulin in blood glucose regulation.
5.[5]
Explain the role of the lungs in the transport of gases during exercise.
6.[5]
Discuss how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to maintain homeostasis during exercise.
Question 4
SLPaper 1A
Refer to the graph showing lung volumes.
Which label represents the Vital Capacity, the maximum volume of air that can be voluntarily moved into and out of the lungs?
Question 5
SLPaper 1A
Based on the graph, which of the following best explains the observed glucose trends?
Question 6
SLPaper 1A
A bar graph showing the percentage of cardiac output redistributed to different organs at rest and during maximal exercise.
Based on the graph, which of the following best describes how cardiac output is redistributed during maximal exercise?
Question 7
SLPaper 2
A long-term analysis of U.S. population data was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2015. The study evaluated glycaemic control using HbA1c levels — a biomarker that reflects average blood glucose over 2–3 months.
HbA1c is a critical indicator of glucose homeostasis and is used both in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. The prevalence of HbA1c categories was analyzed across different age groups and between sexes for individuals with and without diabetes. Additionally, the study assessed hazard ratios (risk of adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease or mortality) in relation to HbA1c levels, both in those with diagnosed diabetes and without.
Three figures summarize the findings:
Figure 1: Prevalence of HbA1c levels by sex and age group in individuals diagnosed with diabetes.
Figure 2: Prevalence of HbA1c levels by sex and age group in individuals without diabetes.
Figure 3: Hazard ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) by HbA1c group, comparing individuals with diagnosed diabetes vs. those without. HbA1c 5.0–5.6% in non-diabetics is used as the reference group.
1.[1]
State how the prevalence of HbA1c ≥8% changes across age groups in men.
Question 8
HLPaper 1A
The graph shows time to exhaustion (minutes) at ambient temperatures of 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C. What physiological explanation best accounts for the sharp drop in time to exhaustion at 40°C?
Question 9
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
State the primary function of hemoglobin.
2.[2]
Identify two byproducts of aerobic metabolism.
3.[3]
Describe how oxygen is transported in the blood.
4.[3]
Explain how the circulatory system supports muscle function during exercise.
5.[5]
Outline the role of capillaries in gas and nutrient exchange.
6.[5]
Discuss how the respiratory and cardiovascular systems interact to meet the demands of working muscles.
Question 10
SLPaper 1A
The figure below shows proposed glucose targets for athletes with type 1 diabetes during training (panel a) and competition (panel b). These targets help regulate blood glucose levels through insulin-independent glucose uptake during exercise.
Which of the following best explains the physiological rationale for increasing the target time in the glucose range 3.9–10 mmol/L from >70% during training to >75% during competition?