Edexcel GCSE Physical Education

Components of fitness

Edexcel GCSE Physical Education revision on Components of fitness. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE PE 1PE0 specification. This bank has 8 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 8)

  1. Question 1

    Cardiovascular endurance is the ability to...

    • A) Sprint fast
    • B) Sustain exercise for a long time (heart, lungs, blood deliver oxygen efficiently)
    • C) Lift heavy weights
    • D) Touch your toes
    Show answer

    Answer: Sustain exercise for a long time (heart, lungs, blood deliver oxygen efficiently)

    Cardiovascular (aerobic) endurance = the heart + lungs + blood vessels work efficiently to deliver oxygen during sustained exercise. Tests: Cooper 12-min run, multi-stage fitness test ('bleep test'), VO2 max test. Sports: marathon, long-distance cycling, swimming. Training: long-duration low-intensity OR interval training.

  2. Question 2

    Muscular endurance is the ability to...

    • A) Lift one big weight
    • B) Repeatedly use the same muscles over time without fatigue
    • C) Run fast
    • D) Be flexible
    Show answer

    Answer: Repeatedly use the same muscles over time without fatigue

    Different from STRENGTH (max force one rep). Tests: max press-ups in a minute, sit-ups in a minute, wall-sit duration. Required in: rowing, swimming, cycling (long-distance). Training: low resistance, high reps (15-20+). Vs strength training: high resistance, low reps (3-6).

  3. Question 3

    Power = ?

    • A) Strength x speed
    • B) Distance / time
    • C) Strength + flexibility
    • D) Heart rate
    Show answer

    Answer: Strength x speed

    POWER = explosive strength = applying maximum force quickly. Tests: vertical jump, standing broad jump, seated medicine ball throw. Required: sprinting, javelin, high jump, hammer. Training: PLYOMETRICS (jump training - depth jumps, bounding), Olympic lifts (clean + jerk). Different from strength alone (max load) or speed alone.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

5 more questions on Components of fitness — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Physical Education spec.