General information processing model, to include:: Senses.

The idea

Senses are the physiological systems that detect input from the environment and the body. In the general information processing model, the senses provide the raw data for the input stage. Key senses in physical education include vision, audition, touch, proprioception, balance and kinaesthesis. Vision detects light and movement, audition detects sound, touch detects pressure and temperature, proprioception detects body and limb position, balance detects head orientation, and kinaesthesis detects movement and effort.

For example: A gymnast uses vision to see the beam, proprioception to know leg position, and balance to maintain equilibrium.

What earns the marks

• Senses are the systems that detect information from the environment and the body.
• Senses provide the raw data for the input stage of the information processing model.
• Key senses include vision, audition, touch, proprioception, balance and kinaesthesis.
• Vision detects light, colour and movement; audition detects sound; touch detects pressure and temperature.
• Proprioception detects body and limb position; balance detects head orientation; kinaesthesis detects movement and effort.
• Different sports rely on different senses; for example, a footballer uses vision and proprioception.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Confusing senses with perception.

  Put it right: Senses detect stimuli, while perception interprets them.

• Thinking only vision and hearing are important in sport.

  Put it right: Proprioception, balance and kinaesthesis are also crucial.

• Believing senses work in isolation.

  Put it right: They often work together to provide comprehensive input.

• Assuming all senses are equally important in every sport.

  Put it right: The dominant senses vary by activity.

Exam tips

• Name the specific sense and the type of information it detects when giving examples.
• Relate senses to a sporting action, such as a badminton player using vision to track the shuttle and proprioception to control the racket.
• In multiple-choice questions, check whether the option describes a sense or a later processing stage.