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      Working as a team to raise your heart rate

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify the changes in my heart rate beat per minute (bpm) as my work rate increases.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: ensuring our body becomes more efficient requires us to move more to increase our heart rate above resting rate.
      2. Think: we can monitor our heart rate using our index and middle finger to count the beats per minute.
      3. Feel: exercise releases endorphins which improves mood and reduces stress.
      4. Connect: encouraging our peers when completing maximal exertion tasks shows good collaboration.

      Keywords

      • Heart rate - the speed at which the heart beats (bpm)

      • Respiratory/breathing rate - the number of breaths you take per minute to provide the body with oxygen

      • Sweating - the release of a salty liquid from your sweat glands to help the body stay cool - also known as perspiration

      Common misconception

      Thinking the heart rate and breathing rate are zero when at rest.

      Our body needs the energy from the oxygen we breathe in order to maintain basic living functions, hence why our heart rate is always raised above 0.

      Teacher tip

      Feed in the explanation as needed when delivering the practice task.

      Equipment

      Selection of objects such as cones, bibs, shuttles, quoits. Single sided print out of additional materials. Whiteboard and pen between 2.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - outdoor learning

      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).

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What are the key benefits of assigning a leader when working in a group?

      Correct answer: structure and direction
      less work
      reduced collaboration

      Q2.
      What does critical thinking before a task enable us to do?

      accept information
      start quicker
      Correct answer: analyse and evaluate

      Q3.
      Why is honesty so important for a team to function well?

      enables constructive feedback
      Correct answer: builds trust
      increases work rate

      Q4.
      To be seen as a valued member of a team we must ...

      Correct answer: give contributions.
      make friends.
      score points.

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      How can we monitor our heart rate to check it rises beyond resting when working to ensure we make improvements in our fitness?

      monitor our breathing
      test blood sugar
      Correct answer: take our pulse

      Q2.
      What is measured in bpm?

      breathing rate
      sweat percentage
      Correct answer: heart rate

      Q3.
      What chemicals are released during exercise that help make us feel more positive?

      oxytocin
      Correct answer: endorphins
      insulin

      Q4.
      What is a healthy resting heart for an 11-12 year old in beats per minute (bpm)?

      Correct answer: 60-100 bpm
      150-200 bpm
      0-50 bpm

      To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Working as a team to raise your heart rate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...