Question 1

What does the Health and Lifestyle Decisions module cover in CCEA GCSE PE?

Accepted Answer

It covers section 3.1.2 of Component 1: the meaning of health, fitness and wellbeing and how they are linked; the components of a balanced diet and their functions, energy balance and hydration; the effects of lifestyle decisions such as smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs and rest on health and performance; and the reasons people take part in physical activity, the barriers, and how to keep them active. It is examined on Paper 1.

Question 2

What is the difference between health and fitness in CCEA GCSE PE?

Accepted Answer

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of illness. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment or cope with everyday activities without undue tiredness. They are linked but not the same: you can be fit but unwell, for example a trained athlete with influenza, or healthy without being especially fit.

Question 3

What are the components of a balanced diet in CCEA GCSE PE?

Accepted Answer

A balanced diet contains carbohydrates (the main and quickest energy source), fats (a slow-release energy store and insulation), proteins (for growth and repair of muscle), vitamins, minerals such as calcium and iron, fibre (for digestion) and water (for hydration). A performer needs the right proportions for their activity, plus energy balance and good hydration.

Question 4

How do lifestyle decisions affect performance in CCEA GCSE PE?

Accepted Answer

Smoking reduces the oxygen the blood can carry, damages the lungs and raises heart rate, lowering endurance. Alcohol dehydrates the body, slows reactions and harms recovery. Recreational drugs damage health and impair coordination. Too little rest and sleep stops the body recovering and adapting. Low activity levels reduce fitness and raise the risk of obesity and heart disease.

Question 5

How is the Health and Lifestyle Decisions module examined?

Accepted Answer

These topics are assessed on Paper 1, Factors Underpinning Health and Performance, a 1 hour 15 minute written paper worth 25 percent of the GCSE. Expect structured short-answer questions on definitions, nutrients and lifestyle effects, applied questions linking a choice to a named performer, and an extended evaluate question worth up to six marks.

CCEA GCSE Physical Education: Health and Lifestyle Decisions overview

What this module covers

How it is examined

How to study it

Sources & how we know this