Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) · Spec C1 3.1.1, C1 3.2.1 and C1 3.2.5
Health, fitness and the components of fitness
Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.
Key ideas
- Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment. Exercise is physical activity done to maintain or improve health or fitness. Performance is how well a task is completed.
- The eleven components are cardiovascular fitness, strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.
- A component matters differently in different sports. A marathon runner needs cardiovascular fitness. A volleyball player spiking needs power. A gymnast holding a handstand needs balance.
Key terms
- Health
- A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.
- Fitness
- The ability to meet the demands of the environment.
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Exercising the whole body for a long time.
- Muscular endurance
- Using the voluntary muscles many times without getting tired.
- Flexibility
- The range of movement at a joint.
- Agility
- Changing direction at speed.
- Reaction time
- The time between a stimulus and the start of a response.
Common mistakes
- Writing 'stamina' or 'endurance' for cardiovascular fitness. Use cardiovascular fitness.
- Giving a sporting example that really shows a different component, such as grip strength for jumping (that is power).
- Defining health as 'not being ill'. It includes mental and social wellbeing.
Exam tip
'Define' means the meaning of the term and nothing more. For a component question, name the component in full and tie it to one clear action in the sport, not just 'a football match'.
Free practice questions
7 questions, 13 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.
- Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which statement is the correct definition of health?
- Question 2 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
Which statement is the correct definition of exercise?
- Question 3 · Fill the gaps[1 mark]
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and ___ wellbeing.
Word bank: financial · emotional · social · spiritual
- Question 4 · Matching[4 marks]
Match each term to its meaning.
- Question 5 · Multiple choice[1 mark]
A marathon runner needs to exercise the whole body for a long time. Which component is this?
- Question 6 · Fill the gaps[1 mark]
Flexibility is the range of ___ at a joint.
Word bank: movement · balance · speed · strength
- Question 7 · Matching[4 marks]
Match each component of fitness to its meaning.