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Lesson 3 of 6
  • Year 8

Aerobic exercise in action

I can perform aerobic exercise and understand how this can improve different components of fitness.

Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
  • Year 8

Aerobic exercise in action

I can perform aerobic exercise and understand how this can improve different components of fitness.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: aerobic exercise requires low intensity movement for a sustained amount of time (at least 20 minutes).
  2. Move: aerobic exercise can include running, cycling, swimming and rowing.
  3. Think: regular aerobic exercise is often used to improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance.
  4. Feel: a steady pace is best when doing aerobic exercise to avoid fatigue too early in the training session.
  5. Connect: supporting others regardless of their aerobic fitness helps to motivate them to complete all activities.

Keywords

  • Aerobic exercise - exercise using oxygen, usually done for longer periods of time (e.g. long distance running)

  • Cardiovascular endurance - the ability of the heart, lungs and blood to transport oxygen during sustained exercise

  • Muscular endurance - the ability of a muscle or muscle group to undergo repeated contractions, avoiding fatigue

Common misconception

Pupils think aerobic training is only relevant for endurance athletes like long distance runners.

Aerobic training is useful for any athletes that play sports that last longer than 20 minutes, e.g. rugby, netball football, hockey.


To help you plan your year 8 physical education lesson on: Aerobic exercise in action, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Activities like step ups or skipping could be used to achieve the same aerobic outcomes if you do not have the suggested equipment.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Optional: treadmill (1 per 3rd of the class), rowing machine (1 per 3rd of the class), exercise bike (1 per 3rd of the class).

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What does anaerobic training mean?

with oxygen
Correct answer: without oxygen
to improve flexibility

Q2.
Which component of fitness is most likely to be improved by anaerobic training?

Correct answer: speed
flexibility
balance

Q3.
What type of intensity should anaerobic training be performed at?

low
medium
Correct answer: high

Q4.
How long should you work for each station when working anaerobically?

Correct answer: < 2 minutes
2-5 minutes
> 5 minutes

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Aerobic exercise is exercise that has the presence of what?

carbon dioxide
Correct answer: oxygen
lactic acid

Q2.
Which is an example of an aerobic exercise?

jump squats
burpees
Correct answer: rowing

Q3.
How long should you do aerobic training for?

< 2 minutes
2 - 20 minutes
Correct answer: > 20 minutes

Q4.
Which athlete is most likely to benefit from aerobic training?

100m sprinter
Correct answer: rugby player
javelin thrower