← Physical Education syllabus

Northern IrelandPhysical Education

The Body at Work

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the types of joint and the types of movement at joints, and how do they let the body perform sporting actions?

The types of synovial joint (hinge and ball and socket), the types of movement at joints (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction), and how joints and movement are applied to physical activity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on movement and joints, covering the types of synovial joint, the range of movements (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction), and how joints and movement are applied to sport.
8 min answer →

How does the cardiovascular system deliver oxygen during exercise, and what do heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output mean?

The structure of the heart and the pathway of blood, the double circulatory system, the three types of blood vessel, and heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output applied to physical activity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the cardiovascular system, covering the heart and the pathway of blood, the double circulatory system, arteries, veins and capillaries, and heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output in sport.
8 min answer →

What are the immediate (short-term) and long-term effects of exercise on the body systems?

The immediate (short-term) effects of exercise on the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the long-term effects of regular training on these systems, applied to physical activity and performance.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the effects of exercise, covering the immediate (short-term) effects on the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and the long-term effects of regular training, applied to performance.
8 min answer →

How do muscles work in antagonistic pairs, and what are the types of muscle and muscle contraction used in sport?

The major muscles of the body, how muscles work in antagonistic pairs as agonist and antagonist, the types of muscle (voluntary, involuntary and cardiac), and the types of contraction (isotonic and isometric) applied to physical activity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the muscular system, covering the major muscles, antagonistic muscle pairs and the roles of agonist and antagonist, the types of muscle, and isotonic and isometric contraction in sport.
8 min answer →

How does the respiratory system get oxygen into the blood during exercise, and what are tidal volume and vital capacity?

The structure of the respiratory system, the mechanism of breathing, gas exchange at the alveoli, the lung volumes (tidal volume, vital capacity and minute ventilation), and aerobic and anaerobic respiration applied to physical activity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the respiratory system, covering its structure, the mechanism of breathing, gas exchange at the alveoli, lung volumes including tidal volume and vital capacity, and aerobic and anaerobic respiration in sport.
8 min answer →

What are the functions of the skeleton, the types of bone and the parts of a synovial joint, and how do they support physical activity?

The five main functions of the skeleton, the major bones and types of bone, the structure of a synovial joint, and how the skeletal system is applied to sport and physical activity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Physical Education answer on the skeletal system, covering the five main functions of the skeleton, the major bones and types of bone, the structure of a synovial joint, and how the skeleton supports performance in sport.
8 min answer →