Sample Answer Marking Rubric Analysis

This marking rubric refers to the 4 dot points above the extended response questions:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the health and physical activity concepts relevant to questions

Ie correct interpretation of the question by doing what the directive term states (compare, analyse, describe etc) and using the correct syllabus content.

• Apply the skills of critical thinking and analysis

Ie ask questions of current knowledge, giving information for both sides, or future possibilities. Look for directive terms such as: analyse, judge, discuss, compare, justify, evaluate or assess.

• Communicate ideas and information using relevant examples

Ie showing your knowledge through explicit detailed examples that strengthen your answer and demonstrate what you are saying throughout the response, not just at the end. They should be concise and relevant.

• Present a logical and cohesive response

Ie ensuring that your answer flows and joins together and is not just random pieces of information. Structuring your answer will help. Use an opening paragraph for definitions etc and answer the question briefly. Use the SEAL (PEEL, SEEL, SEXY etc) structure for your paragraphs. Provide a concluding statement addressing the question directly.

Question 31 — Sports Medicine

(a)  To what extent is taping effective in preventing sports injuries?                    8

The marking criteria for this HSC PDHPE exam question states:

PDHPE HSC marking guidelines 2014

With these criteria in mind, we expect the sample answer to have statements that are definitive in order to show a judgement has been made. Eg) this WILL prevent injury. The beginning of this question tells us that a judgement is expected as it asks “To what extent is”, this means, the question could be reworded to say “Does taping prevent sports injuries?” or “Is taping effective in preventing sports injuries?” To what extend also indicates that you need to raise opposing concepts and limitations to the use of taping

Rather than just saying it always works, you need to make sure you provide some limitation such as the statement below. The marking criteria says this in the second point. These statements could include a disadvantage of taping. Eg) taping may cause the athlete to be overconfident, which could reinjure the area if they are not ready to return to play.

Finally we expect the sample answer to have plenty of examples that put the knowledge and content of the question and linked syllabus into concrete/real situations. Eg) taping an ankle after a sprain helps provide support and limits movement to prevent further injury to the ligaments.

Sample answer:

Taping can play a significant role in preventing injury. Taping can protect, support or strengthen a joint during movement. Sports such as basketball, soccer and netball that require agility, speed, power can place considerable stress on joints. These sports demand explosive movements and frequent changes of direction, so the joints at times will endure high levels of stress. With this in mind, there is potential for injury so therefore prophylactic (preventative) taping can be employed to prevent injury.

If an injury has been sustained taping is required and is a necessity during the rehabilitation process. Taping permits an athlete to participate in body conditioning exercises to maintain fitness as much as they can during recuperation. For example, a knee injury may be healed, but requires testing in training. In these circumstances, support can be provided while the injured area becomes accustomed to the demands of the full activity and therefore prevent any further injury from occurring.

However, there are some disadvantages to the use of taping to prevent injury. Individuals can develop a reliance on taping which can restrict a range of motion and reduce an athlete’s proprioception.

Despite some limitations, most professional athletes such as AFL and NRL players are required by their clubs to use preventative taping measures on high mobility joints (such as ankles) to prevent injury.

PDHPE HSC marking guidelines 2014

This answer meets the expectations of the marking criteria and also provides each of the four (4) dot points from the marking rubric provided before the extended response questions.

When examining the marking criteria for this exam question, it is worth noting that the difference between the band 5 answer and the band 6 answer, is the first dot point: Makes judgements about the effectiveness of taping to prevent sports injuries. This means that the inclusion of these conclusion statements that say taping is effective in preventing sports injuries are needed in order to get 100% for your answer.