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      A practical exploration of fitness testing and normative data for endurance

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

      Lesson 5 of 8
      New
      New
      • Year 10
      • OCR

      A practical exploration of fitness testing and normative data for endurance

      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 tests for cardiovascular endurance are the Cooper 12 min run and the multi-stage fitness test.
      2. The press-up test and sit-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 endurance - the ability to continue exertion while getting energy from the aerobic system used to supply the body with energy and also referred to as stamina

      • Muscular endurance - the ability to move your body and muscles repeatedly without fatiguing

      • 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

      Starting the multi-stage fitness test too quickly.

      It can be beneficial to start the multi-stage fitness test at fast walking pace to conserve energy for the faster levels.

      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 multi-stage fitness test back to back is extremely challenging. It is also essential to check for any underlying health conditions.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      Multi-stage fitness test app or CD, stack of cones, stopwatches 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 endurance.

      sit-up test
      Correct answer: multi-stage fitness test
      press-up test
      Correct answer: Cooper 12 minute run

      Q3.
      Which athlete would not need cardiovascular endurance?

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

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

      Correct Answer: muscular endurance

      Q5.
      Which athlete would require most muscular endurance?

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

      Q6.
      Match the keyword to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:cardiovascular endurance,to continue exertion while getting energy from the aerobic system

      to continue exertion while getting energy from the aerobic system

      Correct Answer:muscular endurance,the ability to move your body and muscles repeatedly without fatiguing

      the ability to move your body and muscles repeatedly without fatiguing

      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.

      sit-up test
      Correct answer: multi-stage fitness test
      press-up test
      Correct answer: Cooper 12 minute run

      Q2.
      What is the distance of the shuttle run for the multi-stage fitness test?

      10 metres
      Correct answer: 20 metres
      30 metres
      40 metres

      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 endurance.

      An image in a quiz
      excellent
      Correct answer: above average
      poor
      average

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

      Correct Answer: muscular endurance

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

      Correct answer: 30 seconds
      1 minute
      90 seconds
      2 minutes

      Q6.
      Usman is male. He scores 22 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

      OCRPhysical education