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Northern IrelandPhysical Education

Developing Physical Fitness for Performance

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the health-related and skill-related components of fitness, and why does each matter in sport?

The health-related components of fitness (aerobic energy production, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition) and the skill-related factors (co-ordination, balance, reaction time and agility), with a sporting example of each.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the components of fitness, covering the five health-related components (aerobic energy production, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, body composition) and the skill-related factors (co-ordination, balance, reaction time, agility) with a sporting example of each.
8 min answer →

Why do we test fitness, which test measures each component, and how are results made reliable and useful?

The reasons for fitness testing, the standard tests for each component of fitness (for example the multi-stage fitness test, sit and reach, grip dynamometer, Illinois agility run), and how to make testing valid, reliable and fair.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on fitness testing, covering why we test fitness, the standard test for each component (multi-stage fitness test, sit and reach, grip dynamometer, Illinois agility run and others), and how to make testing valid, reliable and fair.
8 min answer →

What are the main methods of training, what does each develop, and which suits a given sport?

The main methods of training (continuous, fartlek, interval, circuit, weight/resistance, plyometric and flexibility training), what each one develops, and how to choose a method to suit a performer and their sport.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the methods of training, covering continuous, fartlek, interval, circuit, weight, plyometric and flexibility training, what each develops, and how to match a method to a performer and their sport.
8 min answer →

What are the principles of training (SPORRT and FITT), and how are they applied to make a programme effective?

The principles of training (specificity, progression, overload, recovery, reversibility and tedium - SPORRT), the FITT principle (frequency, intensity, time, type) used to apply overload, and the idea of peaking, applied to a training programme.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the principles of training, covering SPORRT (specificity, progression, overload, recovery, reversibility, tedium), the FITT principle for applying overload, and peaking, all applied to a training programme.
8 min answer →

What makes a goal SMART, and how are the components, methods and principles brought together in a personal exercise programme?

Setting SMART targets (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound) and designing a personal exercise programme that applies the components of fitness, the methods of training and the principles of training, including a warm-up and cool-down.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on SMART goals and the personal exercise programme, covering the SMART target-setting principle (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound) and how to design a programme using the components, methods and principles of training with a warm-up and cool-down.
8 min answer →