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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the phases of a warm up and a cool down and the benefits for completing both.

      Key learning points

      1. A warm up should include gradual pulse raising activities, stretching, skill-based practices and mental preparation.
      2. Warming up raises body temperature, increasing range of movement and pliability of muscles to reduce risk of injury.
      3. Warm ups should include psychological preparation for the session or competition.
      4. A cool down should involve maintaining elevated breathing and heart rate and incorporating stretching exercises.
      5. Cooling down aids the body's recovery, facilitating the removal of waste products and helping to prevent DOMS.

      Keywords

      • Warm up - preparation before exercise that raises heart rate, increases body temperature, and enhances flexibility

      • Cool down - gradual reduction of exercise intensity post-exercise to aid recovery and prevent muscle soreness

      • Pulse raiser - activities in a warm up that elevate heart rate and increase blood flow to muscles

      • Stretching - exercises to increase the range of movement at joints

      • Mental preparation - techniques to focus and prepare mentally for exercise, enhancing performance and reducing anxiety

      Common misconception

      Stretching is the first part of a warm up routine.

      Before a muscle can be stretched it needs to have an increase in temperature and pliability. Therefore, before stretching, an individual should do a pulse raiser to increase blood flow to the muscles.

      Teacher tip

      Encourage physical completion of warm up and cool downs. This can be done in their practical lesson. Present scenarios and ask learners to plan and deliver a warm up session. They should reflect on their delivery and explain the benefits of their session.

      Equipment

      Space and equipment to complete a full warm up and cool down routine.

      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).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is an injury prevention strategy which requires an external object?

      adequate hydration
      appropriate rest and recovery
      avoiding bouncing when stretching
      Correct answer: using taping or bracing

      Q2.
      A up should be completed at the start of any physical activity session to reduce the risk of injury.

      Correct Answer: warm

      Q3.
      Wearing appropriate footwear is beneficial to prevent slipping during sport and exercise and there is more ...

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: grip, support, friction

      Q4.
      Which of the following is necessary in the arteries to increase blood flow during exercise?

      Correct answer: vasodilation
      vasoconstriction
      blood pressure
      capillaries

      Q5.
      Order the activities for a typical games training session.

      1 - warm up
      2 - skill development
      3 - competitive game play
      4 - cool down

      Q6.
      Match the injury prevention method with it's benefit.

      Correct Answer:stretching,increases the range of movement at a joint

      increases the range of movement at a joint

      Correct Answer:footwear,help with stability at the ankle joint

      help with stability at the ankle joint

      Correct Answer:appropriate rest,allow for sufficient time to recover between sessions

      allow for sufficient time to recover between sessions

      Correct Answer:correct lifting technique,knees bent and straight back when lifting from the floor

      knees bent and straight back when lifting from the floor

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Order the phases of an effective warm up.

      1 - pulse raiser
      2 - stretching
      3 - skill-based practice
      4 - mental preparation

      Q2.
      Which is a benefit of an effective warm up?

      removal of lactic acid
      reflect on the activity
      reduces DOMS
      Correct answer: vasoconstriction of arteries towards inactive areas
      prevents blood pooling

      Q3.
      Which is a benefit of an effective cool down?

      increased pliability of ligaments and tendons
      Correct answer: maintain breathing rate to expel excess carbon dioxide
      increased coordination
      in the zone and optimal arousal
      trigger metabolism

      Q4.
      Match the activity to the correct phase of a warm up.

      Correct Answer:fun tag game,pulse raiser

      pulse raiser

      Correct Answer:walking into a held lunge and repeat,dynamic stretching

      dynamic stretching

      Correct Answer:skill practice,activity familiarisation

      activity familiarisation

      Correct Answer:visualisation,mental preparation

      mental preparation

      Q5.
      A cool down prevents DOMS which is the delayed of muscles soreness.

      Correct Answer: onset

      Q6.
      During a cool down it is advised to hold a stretch for 10 to seconds.

      Correct Answer: 20, twenty

      To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Warming up and cooling down, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...