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OCR GCSE Physical Education (J587) · Physical Training
Mini-Lesson

Physical Training

This mini-lesson covers OCR GCSE PE — Physical Training: the components of fitness and their fitness tests, the principles of training (SPORT and FITT), methods of training, target heart-rate zones, and how to prevent injury with a warm-up and cool-down.

There are heart-rate zone calculations — remember max HR = 220 − age. Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Press Start when you're ready.

Components

Components of fitness

Fitness is made of separate components. Learn to match each to a sport:

  • Cardiovascular endurance (distance running), muscular endurance (rowing).
  • Strength (a rugby scrum), power = strength × speed (a sprint start).
  • Speed, agility, flexibility, balance, coordination, reaction time.
Fitness tests

Fitness tests

  • Multi-stage fitness (bleep) test → cardiovascular endurance.
  • Illinois agility test → agility.
  • Sit-and-reach test → flexibility.
  • 30 m sprint test → speed.
  • Vertical (Sargent) jump test → power.
  • Handgrip dynamometer → grip strength.
  • One-minute sit-up / press-up test → muscular endurance.
  • Ruler drop test → reaction time.
Quick check

Which test?

?A coach wants to measure a sprinter's power. Which fitness test is most suitable?
Sort it

Put each one in the right group

Tap a fitness test, then tap the component it measures.

🏃 CV endurance

🤸 Agility

💥 Power

SPORT & FITT

Principles of training

SPORT: Specificity, Progressive overload, Reversibility, Tedium. FITT: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type.

Progressive overload means gradually increasing the training demand so the body keeps adapting. Reversibility means fitness is lost if training stops.

Quick check

FITT

?In the FITT principle, what does the letter 'I' stand for?
Methods

Methods of training

  • Continuous → cardiovascular endurance (aerobic).
  • Fartlek (changes of pace) → aerobic and anaerobic.
  • Interval / HIIT → speed and anaerobic power.
  • Circuit → varied components at stations.
  • Weight / resistance → strength, power or muscular endurance.
  • Plyometric (bounding, depth jumps) → power.
Heart-rate zones

Target heart-rate zones

maximum heart rate = 220 − age (bpm)aerobic zone 60–80% · anaerobic zone 80–90% of max HR
Worked example — an 18-year-old

Max HR = 220 − 18 = 202 bpm.

70% of max HR = 0.7 × 202 = 141.4 bpm.

Calculate

Maximum heart rate

1Calculate the maximum heart rate of a 14-year-old.
bpm
Hint: max HR = 220 − age = 220 − 14.
Calculate

Anaerobic threshold

2A 25-year-old trains anaerobically at 85% of max heart rate. Find max HR (220 − 25), then calculate 85% of it, to the nearest whole bpm.
bpm
Hint: max HR = 195; then 0.85 × 195 = 165.75.
Injury prevention

Warm-up, cool-down & preventing injury

A warm-up raises heart rate, warms muscles and improves flexibility, reducing injury risk and preparing you mentally. A cool-down keeps blood flowing to remove lactic acid and gradually lowers heart rate.

Other ways to prevent injury: correct technique, suitable clothing and footwear, protective equipment, and not over-training.

Quick check

Purpose of a warm-up

?Which is a genuine benefit of warming up before exercise?
Match it

Match each statement to its answer

Tap a training method on the left, then the component it best develops on the right.

Statement
Answer
Recap

The big ideas to know

Components: CV endurance, muscular endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility…

Tests: bleep→CV endurance · Illinois→agility · sit-and-reach→flexibility · vertical jump→power

SPORT: Specificity, Progressive overload, Reversibility, Tedium

FITT: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type

Methods: continuous, fartlek, interval/HIIT, circuit, weights, plyometric

Zones: max HR = 220 − age; aerobic 60–80%, anaerobic 80–90%

You've covered the whole Physical Training topic for OCR. Press Finish to see your score.

🏆

Mini-lesson complete!

⭐⭐⭐

You've worked through Physical Training for OCR GCSE PE. 🎉

Your stars: 0 / 0

Next: test yourself in the Evaluate stage Confidence Quiz, then lock it in with Verify.

📣 Smashed it? Share your score

Challenge a mate to beat your stars, or show a parent how you got on.

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