What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?

Aerobic exercise uses oxygen to produce energy and can be sustained for long periods, like jogging or cycling. Anaerobic exercise does not use oxygen and is intense but short-lived, like sprinting or weightlifting. Aerobic relies on the aerobic energy system, while anaerobic uses the ATP-PC or lactic acid systems.

How does the skeletal system help with movement?

The skeleton provides a rigid framework for muscles to attach to. Joints act as levers, and when muscles contract, they pull on bones to create movement. For example, the biceps contracts to flex the elbow, pulling the radius and ulna upward.

What is an antagonistic pair of muscles?

An antagonistic pair consists of two muscles that work opposite each other: the agonist (prime mover) contracts to create movement, while the antagonist relaxes to allow it. For example, during a bicep curl, the biceps is the agonist and the triceps is the antagonist.

Why does heart rate increase during exercise?

Heart rate increases to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to working muscles and to remove waste products like carbon dioxide. This is achieved by increasing cardiac output (heart rate × stroke volume), which rises from about 5 L/min at rest to up to 20-40 L/min during intense exercise.

What happens to breathing rate and depth during exercise?

Both increase to meet the higher oxygen demand and to expel more carbon dioxide. Breathing rate can rise from 12-15 breaths per minute at rest to 40-50 during intense exercise. Tidal volume (air per breath) also increases from about 0.5 L to 2-3 L.

How do I remember all the bones and muscles for the exam?

Use mnemonics, diagrams, and active recall. For example, 'Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle' helps remember carpal bones (Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate). Practice labelling blank diagrams and explaining movements in sports you enjoy.

Applied anatomy and physiology

OCR

GCSE

1.1 Applied anatomy and physiology covers the basic structures and functions of the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. It includes the study of movement analysis (levers, planes, and axes), the short and long-term effects of exercise on these systems, and the distinction between aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Applied anatomy and physiology is a core topic in OCR GCSE Physical Education that explores how the human body works during physical activity. It covers the structure and function of the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, and how they interact to produce movement and sustain exercise. Understanding this topic is essential for analysing performance, improving training, and preventing injury.

This topic matters because it provides the scientific foundation for all physical activity. By learning how bones, muscles, and joints work together, you can explain why certain exercises target specific muscles, how the heart and lungs adapt to exercise, and why warm-ups and cool-downs are important. It also links directly to practical performance and exam questions that ask you to apply knowledge to real-life sporting scenarios.

In the wider OCR GCSE PE course, applied anatomy and physiology connects to topics like physical training, movement analysis, and sport psychology. For example, understanding muscle fibre types helps explain why some athletes excel at sprinting while others excel at endurance events. Mastering this topic will boost your confidence in both the written exam and practical assessments.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The skeletal system: functions (support, protection, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage), major bones (e.g., femur, humerus, scapula), and joint types (ball-and-socket, hinge, pivot, condyloid).
→The muscular system: major muscles (e.g., biceps, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals, deltoids), antagonistic pairs (agonist and antagonist), and muscle contractions (isometric, isotonic – concentric and eccentric).
→The cardiovascular system: heart structure (atria, ventricles, valves), cardiac cycle, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and effects of exercise on heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output.
→The respiratory system: pathway of air (mouth/nose → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli), gaseous exchange, breathing mechanics (inhalation and exhalation), and effects of exercise on breathing rate and tidal volume.
→Aerobic and anaerobic exercise: definitions, energy systems (ATP-PC, lactic acid, aerobic), and when each is used during different types of physical activity.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Naming and locating major bones and muscle groups
Understanding functions of the skeleton (support, posture, protection, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage)
Identifying synovial joints (hinge and ball and socket) and their articulating bones
Describing movements at joints (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction)
Explaining roles of muscles (agonist, antagonist, fixator) and antagonistic pairs
Identifying lever systems (1st, 2nd, 3rd class) and mechanical advantage
Defining planes of movement (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and axes of rotation (frontal, transverse, longitudinal)
Describing the cardiovascular system (heart structure, blood vessels, cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Naming and locating major bones and muscle groups
Understanding functions of the skeleton (support, posture, protection, movement, blood cell production, mineral storage)
Identifying synovial joints (hinge and ball and socket) and their articulating bones
Describing movements at joints (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction)
Explaining roles of muscles (agonist, antagonist, fixator) and antagonistic pairs
Identifying lever systems (1st, 2nd, 3rd class) and mechanical advantage
Defining planes of movement (sagittal, frontal, transverse) and axes of rotation (frontal, transverse, longitudinal)
Describing the cardiovascular system (heart structure, blood vessels, cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate)
Describing the respiratory system (pathway of air, gas exchange at alveoli, breathing volumes)
Distinguishing between aerobic and anaerobic exercise
Explaining short-term and long-term effects of exercise on body systems

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use specific practical examples from physical activities and sports to support your answers
💡Ensure you can link the structure of a joint to the type of movement it allows
💡Practice drawing and labeling the pathway of blood through the heart
💡Be prepared to interpret data related to short-term and long-term effects of exercise
💡Use correct anatomical terminology when describing joint actions and muscle roles
💡Use correct anatomical terminology in your answers – for example, say 'flexion at the elbow' rather than 'bending the arm'. This shows precise knowledge and gains marks.
💡When describing a sporting action, always name the joint, the movement type, the agonist and antagonist muscles, and the type of contraction (e.g., concentric or eccentric).
💡For cardiovascular or respiratory questions, include specific numbers (e.g., resting heart rate 60-80 bpm, stroke volume increases from ~70 ml to ~120 ml during exercise) to demonstrate depth of understanding.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing the three classes of levers and their specific examples in the body
Misidentifying the articulating bones at specific joints
Confusing planes of movement with axes of rotation
Failing to apply theoretical knowledge to specific practical examples from sport
Incorrectly defining cardiac output or stroke volume
Misconception: 'The heart pumps oxygenated blood to the lungs.' Correction: The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs; the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Misconception: 'Muscles work by pushing bones.' Correction: Muscles can only pull (contract) to move bones; they work in antagonistic pairs so one muscle pulls while the other relaxes.
Misconception: 'Breathing rate increases during exercise to get more oxygen into the blood.' Correction: While true, the primary driver is to remove carbon dioxide; the body monitors CO₂ levels to regulate breathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of cells and tissues from Key Stage 3 Science.
•Familiarity with the concept of energy and respiration from Biology.
•General knowledge of common sports and physical activities to apply theory to practice.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Define

Describe

Explain

Apply

Identify

Analyse

Evaluate

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Applied anatomy and physiology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Physical Education

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

Applying the principles of training

Characteristics of skilful movement

Classification of skills

How to Revise Applied anatomy and physiology — OCR GCSE Physical Education

Examiner Tips for Applied anatomy and physiology

Common Mistakes in Applied anatomy and physiology

Key Marking Points

Applied anatomy and physiology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?

How does the skeletal system help with movement?

What is an antagonistic pair of muscles?

Why does heart rate increase during exercise?

What happens to breathing rate and depth during exercise?

How do I remember all the bones and muscles for the exam?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Physical Education

Aerobic and anaerobic exercise

Applying the principles of training

Characteristics of skilful movement

Classification of skills