Physical training
50 exam-style questions with answers for 3.1.3 Physical training in AQA GCSE Physical Education (spec 8582). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official AQA material.
All 50 questions and answers
Question 1 · Spec 3.1.3.1 · Health and fitness
Define health. [1 mark]
Answer:A state of complete emotional, physical and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.Question 2 · Spec 3.1.3.1 · Health and fitness
Define fitness. [1 mark]
Answer:The ability to meet the demands of the environment.Question 3 · Spec 3.1.3.1 · Health and fitness
Explain how a person can be fit but unhealthy. [2 marks]
Answer:They may meet the physical demands of their sport (1); but have poor health, e.g. an illness, stress or poor diet (1).Question 4 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define agility and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The ability to move and change direction quickly while maintaining control (1); e.g. a rugby player side-stepping a defender (1).Question 5 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define cardiovascular endurance and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles (1); e.g. a marathon runner (1).Question 6 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define power and state its equation. [2 marks]
Answer:The product of strength and speed (1); power = strength × speed (1).Question 7 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define reaction time and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus (1); e.g. a sprinter reacting to the starting gun (1).Question 8 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define muscular endurance and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The ability of a muscle or muscle group to undergo repeated contractions, avoiding fatigue (1); e.g. a rower's arms (1).Question 9 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define flexibility and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The range of movement possible at a joint (1); e.g. a gymnast performing the splits (1).Question 10 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Define coordination and give a sporting example. [2 marks]
Answer:The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently (1); e.g. hand-eye coordination when hitting a ball in tennis (1).Question 11 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Components of fitness
Distinguish between static and dynamic balance. [2 marks]
Answer:Static balance is maintaining the centre of mass over the base of support while still, e.g. a handstand (1); dynamic balance is doing so while moving, e.g. a cartwheel (1).Question 12 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness testing
State three reasons for carrying out fitness testing. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: to identify strengths and weaknesses (1); to monitor improvement (1); to show a starting level of fitness (1); to inform training requirements (1); to compare against norms (1); to set goals and motivate (1).Question 13 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness testing
State two limitations of fitness tests. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: they are often not sport-specific (1); they do not replicate competitive conditions (1); they may need specialist equipment (1); results depend on the motivation of the performer (1).Question 14 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the test for cardiovascular endurance and describe how it is carried out. [2 marks]
Answer:Cooper 12-minute run (or Harvard step test) (1); run as far as possible in 12 minutes and record the distance (1).Question 15 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the test for strength and describe how it is carried out. [2 marks]
Answer:Handgrip dynamometer test (1); squeeze the dynamometer as hard as possible with the dominant hand, take the best of three attempts (1).Question 16 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the test for agility. [1 mark]
Answer:The Illinois agility run test.Question 17 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the test for flexibility and describe how it is carried out. [2 marks]
Answer:The sit and reach test (1); sit with legs straight and feet against the box and reach forward as far as possible, recording the distance (1).Question 18 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the tests for power and speed. [2 marks]
Answer:Power: vertical jump test (1); speed: 30 m sprint test (1).Question 19 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the tests for balance, coordination and reaction time. [3 marks]
Answer:Balance: stork stand test (1); coordination: wall toss test (1); reaction time: ruler drop test (1).Question 20 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Fitness tests
Name the test for muscular endurance. [1 mark]
Answer:The one-minute sit-up (or press-up) test.Question 21 · Spec 3.1.3.2 · Data
Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data in fitness testing. [2 marks]
Answer:Quantitative data is numerical and measurable, e.g. distance in the Cooper run (1); qualitative data is descriptive, e.g. how a performer felt during a test (1).Question 22 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Principles of training
State what the acronym SPORT stands for. [2 marks]
Answer:Specificity, progressive overload (1); reversibility, tedium (1).Question 23 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Principles of training
Explain the principle of specificity. [2 marks]
Answer:Training must match the requirements of the activity (1); e.g. a sprinter doing short, fast, anaerobic interval training (1).Question 24 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Principles of training
Explain the principle of progressive overload. [2 marks]
Answer:Gradually increasing the amount of overload (1); so that fitness gains occur without the potential for injury (1).Question 25 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Principles of training
Explain the principle of reversibility. [2 marks]
Answer:Fitness gains from training are lost if training stops (1); e.g. through injury (1).Question 26 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Principles of training
Explain the principle of tedium. [2 marks]
Answer:Training can become boring if it is not varied (1); so a range of training methods should be used to keep the performer motivated (1).Question 27 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · FITT
State what FITT stands for. [2 marks]
Answer:Frequency, intensity (1); time, type (1).Question 28 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe continuous training and give a suitable performer. [2 marks]
Answer:Exercising for at least 20 minutes without rest at a steady, moderate intensity (1); suits a long-distance runner, improving cardiovascular endurance (1).Question 29 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe Fartlek training. [2 marks]
Answer:Speed play: changes in speed and terrain (1); with no rest, improving both aerobic and anaerobic fitness (1).Question 30 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe circuit training. [2 marks]
Answer:A series of exercises at different stations (1); performed for a set time with rest between stations (1).Question 31 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe interval training. [2 marks]
Answer:Periods of high-intensity work (1); followed by periods of rest or recovery (1).Question 32 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe plyometric training and the fitness component it improves. [2 marks]
Answer:Jumping and bounding exercises using eccentric then concentric muscle contractions, e.g. depth jumps (1); improves power (1).Question 33 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Explain how weight training can improve strength or muscular endurance. [2 marks]
Answer:Strength: high weight and low reps (1); muscular endurance: low weight and high reps (1).Question 34 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe HIIT. [2 marks]
Answer:High-intensity interval training: short bursts of very hard work (1); alternating with short low-intensity recovery periods (1).Question 35 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training methods
Describe static stretching. [1 mark]
Answer:Holding a stretch at the limit of the range of movement for about 30 seconds.Question 36 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training zones
Calculate the maximum heart rate of a 16-year-old. [1 mark]
Answer:220 − 16 = 204 bpm.Question 37 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training zones
State the aerobic training zone. [1 mark]
Answer:60–80% of maximum heart rate.Question 38 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training zones
State the anaerobic training zone. [1 mark]
Answer:80–90% of maximum heart rate.Question 39 · Spec 3.1.3.3 · Training zones
Calculate the aerobic training zone for a 20-year-old. [2 marks]
Answer:Max HR = 220 − 20 = 200 bpm (1); 60–80% = 120–160 bpm (1).Question 40 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · Optimising training
State three ways to prevent injury in physical activity. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: warm up (1); play at the right level (1); use protective clothing and equipment (1); avoid overtraining (1); correct technique (1); check equipment and facilities (1); follow the rules (1).Question 41 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · Training seasons
Name the three training seasons and the aim of each. [3 marks]
Answer:Pre-season: build general fitness (1); competition season: maintain fitness and work on skills (1); post-season: rest and light aerobic work to recover (1).Question 42 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · Altitude training
Explain how altitude training improves endurance performance. [2 marks]
Answer:There is less oxygen at altitude, so the body makes more red blood cells (1); on return to sea level more oxygen is carried to the muscles (1).Question 43 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · Altitude training
State two disadvantages of altitude training. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: expensive (1); altitude sickness (1); training is harder at the same intensity (1); benefits are lost quickly on return (1).Question 44 · Spec 3.1.3.5 · Warm up
State the three phases of a warm up. [3 marks]
Answer:Pulse raiser (1); stretching (1); skill-based practice (1).Question 45 · Spec 3.1.3.5 · Warm up
State three physical benefits of a warm up. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: increases body temperature (1); increases heart rate and blood flow to muscles (1); increases elasticity of muscles (1); increases range of movement (1); reduces the risk of injury (1).Question 46 · Spec 3.1.3.5 · Cool down
State two benefits of a cool down. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: allows heart rate, breathing and body temperature to return gradually to resting levels (1); helps remove lactic acid (1); reduces DOMS (1).Question 47 · Spec 3.1.3.5 · Warm up
State one psychological benefit of a warm up. [1 mark]
Answer:It increases focus and mental preparation, helping control arousal.Question 48 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · One rep max
A performer's one rep max is 100 kg. Recommend a load and reps for strength training. [2 marks]
Answer:Above 70% of 1RM, e.g. 80 kg (1); about three sets of 4–8 reps (1).Question 49 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · One rep max
Recommend a load and reps for muscular endurance for a performer with a 1RM of 60 kg. [2 marks]
Answer:Below 70% of 1RM, e.g. 30–40 kg (1); about three sets of 12–15 reps (1).Question 50 · Spec 3.1.3.4 · Training threshold
Define the training threshold. [1 mark]
Answer:The boundaries of the target training zone: the intensity a performer must work at to improve fitness.