Physical EducationQ&A by dot point

The structure and function of the cardiovascular system, the pathway of blood through the heart, heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output, the role of blood vessels and vascular shunting, and the cardiovascular response to exercise.

The short-term effects of exercise on the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the long-term training adaptations, and how these effects benefit a performer in physical activity and sport.

The three classes of lever (first, second and third class), the components of a lever (fulcrum, effort and load), mechanical advantage, and examples of each lever in the body during physical activity.

The location and role of the major muscle groups, antagonistic muscle pairs, types of muscle contraction, the role of tendons, and how muscles work to produce movement in physical activity and sport.

The three planes of movement (sagittal, frontal and transverse) and the three axes (transverse, sagittal and longitudinal), and the analysis of sporting movements such as somersaults, cartwheels and full twists using planes and axes.

The structure and function of the respiratory system, the mechanics of breathing, gaseous exchange at the alveoli, lung volumes (tidal volume, vital capacity), and the respiratory response to exercise.

The functions of the skeleton, the classification of bones, the structure of a synovial joint, the types of joint and the movement they allow, and the role of the skeleton in physical activity and sport.

The components of a balanced diet (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water), the role of each nutrient, hydration, and how a performer's diet can be adapted to their sport.

Energy use, the concept of energy balance (energy in versus energy out), how energy requirements vary, and the effect of energy balance on body weight, including the calculation of energy values.

The definitions of health, fitness and well-being, the physical, emotional and social benefits of physical activity and sport, and how these benefits link to a healthy, active lifestyle.

The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle (weight gain, obesity and the health risks it brings), the classification of body weight (underweight, overweight, obese), and the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on physical, emotional and social health.

The components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, strength, speed, power, flexibility, agility, balance, coordination and reaction time), their definitions, and their importance to performance in different sports.

The reasons for fitness testing, the recognised tests for each component of fitness, how to carry them out, and how to interpret the data against normative tables, including the limitations of testing.

The methods of training (continuous, fartlek, interval, circuit, weight, plyometric and high-intensity interval training), how each is carried out, the components of fitness they develop, and their advantages and disadvantages for different performers.

How to minimise the risk of injury (correct technique, appropriate clothing and equipment, warming up, appropriate intensity and adherence to rules), common sporting injuries, and the use of personal protective equipment in physical activity and sport.

The principles of training (specificity, progressive overload, reversibility, tedium), the FITT principle, overload and training thresholds, and the calculation of training intensity using maximum heart rate and the one-rep maximum.

The purpose and phases of a warm-up, the physical and psychological benefits of warming up, the purpose and benefits of a cool-down, and how each prepares the body for and recovers it from exercise.

The Analysis and Evaluation of Performance (AEP): analysing a performance to identify strengths and weaknesses, prioritising one weakness, and producing a justified action plan to improve it that draws on the theory content.

The structure of the non-exam assessment (three activities including at least one team and one individual), how practical performance is assessed under competitive or formal conditions, the approved activity lists, and how skills, techniques and decision making are marked.

The commercialisation of physical activity and sport, the golden triangle of sport, sponsorship and the media, and the positive and negative effects on sport, performers, officials, sponsors and spectators.

The types of performance-enhancing drugs and their effects on the performer and on sport, the reasons performers take them, the risks and consequences, and the arguments for and against drug taking in sport.

Engagement patterns of different social groups in physical activity and sport, the factors affecting participation (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic group), and strategies to improve participation.

The concepts of sportsmanship, gamesmanship and deviance, etiquette and the spirit of sport, the reasons for and consequences of deviant behaviour, and violence in sport by performers and spectators.

The use of goal setting to improve and optimise performance, the SMART principle of goal setting, the difference between outcome and performance goals, and the benefits of setting goals.

The types of guidance (visual, verbal, manual and mechanical), the types of feedback (intrinsic and extrinsic, knowledge of results and knowledge of performance, positive and negative), and how each suits beginners and elite performers.

The basic model of information processing (input, decision making, output and feedback), and how a performer uses information processing to respond to a stimulus during physical activity and sport.

The techniques used to prepare mentally for performance (mental rehearsal, visualisation/imagery, selective attention and positive self-talk), arousal and its effect on performance, and how to control arousal.

The classification of skills on continua (simple to complex, open to closed, and others), the characteristics of each type, and the use of classification to plan practice and analyse performance.