Question 1

What is the difference between health and fitness in GCSE PE?

Accepted Answer

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not just the absence of disease. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment. You can be fit but unhealthy (e.g., an athlete with an injury) or healthy but not very fit (e.g., someone who is well but sedentary). In exams, always define both terms separately and give an example.

Question 2

How do I remember the principles of training for my exam?

Accepted Answer

Use the acronyms SPORT and FITT. SPORT stands for Specificity, Progression, Overload, Reversibility, Tedium. FITT stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type. Practice applying them to different scenarios – for example, to improve muscular endurance, you might increase the number of repetitions (overload) and change the type of exercise (specificity).

Question 3

What are the short-term effects of exercise on the body?

Accepted Answer

Short-term effects happen during and immediately after exercise. They include increased heart rate (to pump more oxygenated blood), increased breathing rate and depth (to take in more oxygen and remove carbon dioxide), increased body temperature (due to muscle contractions), and vasodilation of blood vessels near the skin (to cool the body). You may also experience sweating and muscle fatigue.

Question 4

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic exercise uses oxygen to produce energy and is low to moderate intensity for a long duration (e.g., jogging, cycling). Anaerobic exercise does not use oxygen and is high intensity for a short duration (e.g., sprinting, weightlifting). Aerobic improves cardiovascular endurance; anaerobic improves muscular strength and power. In exams, be ready to give examples and link to the energy systems.

Question 5

How do I apply the FITT principle to a training programme?

Accepted Answer

FITT stands for Frequency (how often), Intensity (how hard), Time (how long), Type (what kind). For example, to improve cardiovascular fitness: Frequency – 3-5 times per week; Intensity – 60-80% of max heart rate; Time – 20-60 minutes; Type – running, swimming, or cycling. Always justify your choices using the principle of overload and specificity.

Question 6

What is reversibility in training and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Reversibility means that if you stop training, your fitness levels will decrease – 'use it or lose it'. For example, after 2 weeks of no exercise, cardiovascular endurance can drop significantly. This is important because it shows the need for consistency in training and proper rest periods without long breaks. In exams, you might be asked to explain why a performer's fitness declined after a holiday.

Health, training and exercise

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