What should I focus on for AQA A-Level Physical Education?

When answering an essay question, clearly structure your response by identifying the activity's intensity and duration first, then discuss the relevant energy system contributions.

What should I focus on for AQA A-Level Physical Education? (2)

Use specific sporting examples and include numerical data (e.g., intensity percentages, time ranges) to support your explanations of the energy continuum.

What should I focus on for AQA A-Level Physical Education? (3)

Practice interpreting physiological data and graphs frequently.

What should I focus on for AQA A-Level Physical Education? (4)

Ensure clear understanding of the relationship between planes of movement and axes of rotation.

What should I focus on for AQA A-Level Physical Education? (5)

Use specific sporting examples to illustrate theoretical concepts.

What are common mistakes in AQA A-Level Physical Education?

Assuming one energy system works in complete isolation; students often forget that all three systems are active simultaneously, with one predominating.

What are common mistakes in AQA A-Level Physical Education? (2)

Confusing the terms 'lactic acid' and 'lactate' and failing to distinguish the role of lactate as a fuel rather than purely a fatigue agent.

What are common mistakes in AQA A-Level Physical Education? (3)

Misapplying the energy system duration boundaries, such as believing the aerobic system only engages after several minutes.

Physical Education

AQA

A-Level

Specification: 7582

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

8

Topics

0

Objectives

37

Exam Tips

38

Pitfalls

Ready to practise?

AI-powered quizzes tailored to your specification

Start Practising

Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

Assessment Objectives

AO1

23%-25%

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport

AO2

23%-25%

Apply knowledge and understanding of the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport

AO3

23%-25%

Analyse and evaluate the factors that underpin performance and involvement in physical activity and sport

AO4

30%

• Demonstrate and apply relevant skills and techniques in physical activity and sport • Analyse and evaluate performance

What Gets Top Grades

A*/Grade 9

Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

Uses correct subject-specific terminology
Shows detailed understanding of concepts
Makes accurate connections between topics
Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

Application

Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

Selects relevant knowledge for the question
Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
Uses examples appropriately
Shows awareness of context

Analysis & Evaluation

Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

Constructs logical chains of reasoning
Considers multiple perspectives
Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
Acknowledges limitations and nuances

Key Command Words

AQA

State

1 mark

Give a single fact or term

Identify

1 mark

Name, select, or recognise

Outline

2 marks

Set out main features briefly

Describe

2-4 marks

Give an account of what something is like or what happens

Explain

3-6 marks

Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains

Compare

2-4 marks

State similarities AND differences (both required)

Analyse

6-9 marks

Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains

Evaluate

6-12 marks

Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion

Assess

6-12 marks

Make judgments about importance with justification

Calculate

2-4 marks

Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Assuming one energy system works in complete isolation; students often forget that all three systems are active simultaneously, with one predominating.
•Confusing the terms 'lactic acid' and 'lactate' and failing to distinguish the role of lactate as a fuel rather than purely a fatigue agent.
•Misapplying the energy system duration boundaries, such as believing the aerobic system only engages after several minutes.
•Confusing the roles of different receptors (chemoreceptors, proprioceptors, baroreceptors) in regulation.
•Inaccurate application of joint actions to specific planes and axes.
•Failure to distinguish between the different energy systems and their specific contribution to exercise intensity.
•Misinterpreting graphs related to physiological responses.
•Confusing agonist/antagonist muscle roles in specific movements.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•When answering an essay question, clearly structure your response by identifying the activity's intensity and duration first, then discuss the relevant energy system contributions.
•Use specific sporting examples and include numerical data (e.g., intensity percentages, time ranges) to support your explanations of the energy continuum.
•Practice interpreting physiological data and graphs frequently.
•Ensure clear understanding of the relationship between planes of movement and axes of rotation.
•Use specific sporting examples to illustrate theoretical concepts.
•Focus on the 'why' and 'how' of physiological changes rather than just recall.
•Be prepared to link physiological knowledge to recovery and training adaptations.
•Practice interpreting physiological data and graphs frequently.

Specification Topics

8 topics

E2E stub topic

This subtopic examines the body's energy production mechanisms during physical activity, focusing on the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resynthesis pathways. It explores the characteristics, fuel sources, and limitations of the ATP-PC, glycolytic, and aerobic systems, and how they integrate to meet energy demands. Understanding these systems is crucial for optimising training, performance analysis, and recovery strategies in sport and exercise.

E2E stub subtopic

0 objectives2 tips3 pitfalls

Exercise physiology

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Sport psychology

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Skill acquisition

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Sport and society

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Applied anatomy and physiology

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Biomechanical movement

Applied anatomy and physiology covers the study of the musculo-skeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, as well as energy systems. It focuses on how these systems respond to exercise of varying intensities and durations, the recovery process, and the long-term adaptations resulting from training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Physical Education

Ready to practise?

Key Features

Assessment Objectives

What Gets Top Grades

Knowledge & Understanding

Application

Analysis & Evaluation

Key Command Words

Common Exam Mistakes

Top Examiner Tips

Specification Topics

E2E stub topic

Exercise physiology

Sport psychology

Skill acquisition

Sport and society

Sport and society and the role of technology in physical activity and sport

Applied anatomy and physiology

Biomechanical movement

Ready to master Physical Education?