Components of Fitness: Skill-Related Components and Fitness Testing
Skill-related fitness is made up of six components that influence how effectively a performer can execute a skilled movement, rather than relating to general health.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Learn each of the six skill-related components and be able to name a sporting example or situation where it is critical, e.g. reaction time for a sprinter reacting to the starting gun.
- Learn the recognised test for each: Illinois agility run for agility; standing stork test for balance; alternate hand wall-toss test for coordination; vertical jump (Sargent jump) test for power; ruler drop test for reaction time; 30 metre sprint test for speed.
- Learn the basic procedure and unit of measurement for each test, e.g. the Illinois agility run is timed with a stopwatch over a set course with cones, and a faster time means better agility.
- Practise calculating an average from repeated trials of the same test, since most tests are performed two or three times and the best or mean score recorded.
- Be able to explain why a named sport relies heavily on a particular skill-related component, using the physical demands of that sport as evidence.
- When a question asks which test to use, check first whether it is asking about a health-related or a skill-related component, since some tests can look similar but measure a different thing, e.g. the 30 metre sprint measures speed, not cardiovascular endurance.
Worked example
A performer completes the ruler drop test three times, recording distances of 18 cm, 15 cm and 21 cm before catching the ruler. Calculate their mean (average) reaction distance, and state whether a smaller or larger mean distance indicates a faster reaction time.
- Add the three trial distances together: 18 + 15 + 21.
- Complete the addition: 18 + 15 + 21 = 54 cm.
- Divide the total by the number of trials: 54 / 3.
- Complete the division: 54 / 3 = 18 cm, so the mean reaction distance is 18 cm.
- State the answer: a smaller distance means the ruler was caught sooner, so a smaller mean distance indicates a faster reaction time.
Practice questions
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Q1Define agility.Show answer
Answer: The ability to change the position of the body quickly and precisely while keeping control.
Q2Name the test used to measure power.Show answer
Answer: The vertical jump (Sargent jump) test.
Q3Which skill-related component does the alternate hand wall-toss test measure?Show answer
Answer: Coordination.
Q4Give a sporting example where reaction time is essential, and explain why.Show answer
Answer: A 100m sprinter, because they must respond to the starting gun as quickly as possible or lose time at the very start of the race.
Q5State the equipment needed for the Illinois agility run.Show answer
Answer: A stopwatch, eight cones to mark the start, finish and course (including the zig-zag section), and a flat marked-out area.
Q6A netball goal shooter records a vertical jump test score. Which skill-related component and which health-related component together help her jump higher to intercept a pass?Show answer
Answer: Power (skill-related), since power is the product of strength and speed, and muscular strength (health-related).
Q7A performer runs the 30 metre sprint test in 4.2, 4.0 and 4.4 seconds across three trials. Calculate their mean time.Show answer
Answer: (4.2 + 4.0 + 4.4) / 3 = 12.6 / 3 = 4.2 seconds.
Q8Explain why balance is important for a gymnast performing a handstand.Show answer
Answer: Because the gymnast must keep their centre of mass over a very small base of support, their hands, without moving, so good balance is needed to hold the position and avoid falling.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Physical Education exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
State the skill-related component of fitness being tested by each of the following, and give one sport where that component is important: (a) the Illinois agility run, (b) the 30 metre sprint test.
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A basketball point guard wants to improve their ability to change direction quickly to beat a defender. Evaluate the use of the Illinois agility run as a way of testing this ability.
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See real GCSE Physical Education past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
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