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      A practical exploration of endurance fitness testing

      I can apply protocols of specific fitness tests that measure cardiovascular and muscular endurance, and compare results to normative data.

      Lesson 5 of 9
      New
      New
      • Year 10
      • Edexcel

      A practical exploration of endurance fitness testing

      I can apply protocols of specific fitness tests that measure cardiovascular and muscular endurance, and compare results to normative data.

      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. The fitness test for cardiovascular fitness is Harvard step test and the 12 minute Cooper run/swim
      2. The minute sit-up and press-up test measure muscular endurance.
      3. Fitness tests are measured or recorded using various units (e.g time, distance or weight).
      4. Performing each fitness test according to protocol is crucial to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

      Keywords

      • Cardiovascular fitness - the ability to exercise your whole body for long periods of time, sometimes called stamina or aerobic endurance

      • Muscular endurance - the ability to use voluntary muscles many times without getting tired

      • Normative data - information collected from a large group of people to show what's typical or average, so others can compare to it

      • Protocol - the set of rules, guidelines, or procedures that should be followed for a specific process or activity to ensure validity, reliability and safety

      Common misconception

      Pupils may measure their heart rate incorrectly after completing the 150 steps for the Harvard step test.

      Before starting the Harvard step test, allow pupils an opportunity to practice finding and measuring their heart rate.

      Depending on the length of your lesson, group size and facilities, you may wish to split this lesson over two lessons, especially as completing the Cooper run and Harvard step test back to back is extremely challenging. It is also essential to check for any underlying health conditions.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      45cm step x 15, stack of cones, stop watches x 15.

      Content guidance

      • Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Fitness tests are used to determine our of fitness.

      Correct Answer: level

      Q2.
      Identify the fitness tests that measure cardiovascular fitness.

      1 minute sit-up test
      Correct answer: Harvard step test
      1 minute press-up test
      Correct answer: Cooper 12 min run

      Q3.
      Which athlete would not need high levels of cardiovascular fitness?

      triathlete
      marathon runner
      rugby player
      Correct answer: skateboarder performing a kickflip

      Q4.
      Identify the component of fitness that the 1 minute sit-up test measures.

      Correct Answer: muscular endurance

      Q5.
      Which athlete would require most muscular endurance?

      100m sprinter
      javelin thrower
      Correct answer: a long distance swimmer
      a gymnast performing the splits

      Q6.
      Match the keyword to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:cardiovascular fitness,the ability to exercise your whole body for long periods of time

      the ability to exercise your whole body for long periods of time

      Correct Answer:muscular endurance,the ability to use voluntary muscles many times without getting tired

      the ability to use voluntary muscles many times without getting tired

      Correct Answer:normative data,information collected from a large group to show what's typical

      information collected from a large group to show what's typical

      Correct Answer:protocol,the set of rules, guidelines or procedures that should be followed

      the set of rules, guidelines or procedures that should be followed

      Assessment exit quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Identify the fitness tests that measure cardiovascular endurance.

      1 minute sit-up test
      Correct answer: Harvard step test
      1 minute press-up test
      Correct answer: Cooper 12 minute run

      Q2.
      What is the distance of the height of the bench for the Harvard step test?

      15cm
      35cm
      Correct answer: 45cm
      55cm

      Q3.
      Ellie is a 16 year old female. She scores 2080m on the Cooper 12 minute run. Use the table of normative data to rate her cardiovascular fitness.

      An image in a quiz
      Excellent
      Correct answer: Above average
      Poor
      Average

      Q4.
      Identify the component of fitness that the 1 minute press-up test measures.

      Correct Answer: muscular endurance

      Q5.
      How long do you have to work to complete the sit-up test?

      30 seconds
      Correct answer: 1 minute
      90 seconds
      2 minutes

      Q6.
      Usman is male. He scores 42 on the sit-up test. Use the table of normative data to rate his muscular endurance.

      An image in a quiz
      Poor
      Below average
      Correct answer: Average
      Above average
      Q3 BrianMac Sports Coach www.brianmac.co.uk Q6 BrianMac Sports Coach www.brianmac.co.uk

      Lesson appears in

      UnitPhysical education / Physical training: health and fitness

      EdexcelPhysical education