Components of Fitness: Health-Related Components and Fitness Testing
Health-related fitness is made up of five components that relate to general physical health rather than to a specific sporting skill.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Learn the definition of each of the five health-related components exactly, and be able to give a sporting example that depends heavily on it, e.g. marathon running for cardiovascular endurance.
- Learn which named test measures each component: multi-stage fitness test (bleep test) or Cooper 12-minute run for cardiovascular endurance; hand grip dynamometer for muscular strength; a one-minute sit-up or press-up test for muscular endurance; sit and reach test for flexibility; skinfold callipers or BMI for body composition.
- For each test, be able to describe the basic procedure and what unit or score it produces, e.g. the bleep test gives a level and shuttle reached, and the Cooper test gives a distance covered in 12 minutes.
- Practise substituting numbers into any test formula given in a question, e.g. converting a Cooper test distance into an estimated VO2 max using a formula provided in the question.
- Learn that most fitness tests are simple field tests done with basic equipment, and be ready to state one strength and one limitation of a named test (this is developed further in the fitness test evaluation guide).
- When a question asks you to identify a suitable test, match the fitness component named in the sport or scenario to the correct test from the list above, not just any test.
Worked example
A performer completes the Cooper 12-minute run test and covers 2400 metres. Using the formula VO2 max (ml/kg/min) = (distance in metres - 504.9) / 44.73, calculate their estimated VO2 max, then state which health-related component of fitness this test is measuring.
- Substitute the distance into the formula: VO2 max = (2400 - 504.9) / 44.73.
- Complete the subtraction: 2400 - 504.9 = 1895.1.
- Complete the division: 1895.1 / 44.73 = approximately 42.4.
- State the answer: the performer's estimated VO2 max is approximately 42.4 ml/kg/min.
- State the component: the Cooper run test measures cardiovascular endurance (aerobic endurance).
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Define muscular endurance.Show answer
Answer: The ability of a muscle or muscle group to make repeated contractions, resisting fatigue over a period of time.
Q2Name the test used to measure flexibility.Show answer
Answer: The sit and reach test.
Q3Which health-related component does the hand grip dynamometer test measure?Show answer
Answer: Muscular strength.
Q4Give one sport in which cardiovascular endurance is especially important, and explain why.Show answer
Answer: Marathon running (or football or rowing), because the performer must supply oxygen to their muscles continuously over a long period without becoming fatigued.
Q5State two pieces of equipment needed to carry out the multi-stage fitness test.Show answer
Answer: An audio recording of the bleep test with progressively shorter intervals (or a stopwatch/timer), and a marked 20 metre course with cones.
Q6What does body composition measure?Show answer
Answer: The relative percentage of body weight made up of fat, muscle and bone.
Q7A performer's Cooper run distance is 2680 metres. Using VO2 max = (distance - 504.9) / 44.73, calculate their estimated VO2 max to one decimal place.Show answer
Answer: (2680 - 504.9) / 44.73 = 2175.1 / 44.73 = approximately 48.6 ml/kg/min.
Q8Explain why a swimmer would want a high score in the muscular endurance test.Show answer
Answer: Because swimming requires many repeated muscular contractions, for example of the shoulders and legs, over the length of a race without the muscles fatiguing.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Identify the health-related component of fitness being tested in each of the following, and name one sport where that component is particularly important: (a) the sit and reach test, (b) the hand grip dynamometer test.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
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Evaluate the use of the multi-stage fitness test as a method of assessing a rugby player's cardiovascular endurance.
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Tick each line you got. Your score builds from the marks on the scheme.
Nothing ticked yet - 6 available
See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the components of fitness: health-related components and fitness testing worksheet pack - 11 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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