- 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.
- 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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The fitness test for cardiovascular fitness is Harvard step test and the 12 minute Cooper run/swim
- The minute sit-up and press-up test measure muscular endurance.
- Fitness tests are measured or recorded using various units (e.g time, distance or weight).
- 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.
Equipment
45cm step x 15, stack of cones, stop watches x 15.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fitness tests are used to determine our of fitness.
Q2.Identify the fitness tests that measure cardiovascular fitness.
Q3.Which athlete would not need high levels of cardiovascular fitness?
Q4.Identify the component of fitness that the 1 minute sit-up test measures.
Q5.Which athlete would require most muscular endurance?
Q6.Match the keyword to the correct definition.
the ability to exercise your whole body for long periods of time
the ability to use voluntary muscles many times without getting tired
information collected from a large group to show what's typical
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.
Q2.What is the distance of the height of the bench for the Harvard step test?
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.
Q4.Identify the component of fitness that the 1 minute press-up test measures.
Q5.How long do you have to work to complete the sit-up test?
Q6.Usman is male. He scores 42 on the sit-up test. Use the table of normative data to rate his muscular endurance.
