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      Classification of bones applied to performance in physical activities and sports

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the different types of bone and their function in relation to sport.

      Key learning points

      1. The shape and type of bones determines their function
      2. Short bones are used for fine movements
      3. Long bones are used for gross movements
      4. Flat bones are used for protection of vital organs
      5. Irregular bones are used for protection and muscle attachment

      Keywords

      • Short bone - a small bone that is used for weight bearing

      • Long bone - a large bone that is used for leverage and movement

      • Flat bone - a bone that protects a vital organ and provides a flat surface for muscle attachment

      • Irregular bone - a bone shaped to provide protection and muscle attachment

      Common misconception

      Little bones in the hand and foot are not considered long bones.

      Bones are classified based on their shape, if the shaft is longer than than the width and depth of a bone, it is referred to as a long bone even if it is small in size.

      Teacher tip

      There are other bone categories (e.g. sesamoid) that are not needed for this specification. Meanwhile, a nice arrival activity is to get pupils in groups of four with post it notes to recall and label one pupil with bone names.

      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.
      Which bone is shown in this image?

      An image in a quiz
      clavicle
      Correct answer: sternum
      humerus
      scapula
      breast bone

      Q2.
      Which bone is located in the upper arm?

      Correct answer: humerus
      radius
      femur
      carpals

      Q3.
      Which image is correct for the scapula?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q4.
      Which part of the body are the tarsals found?

      Correct answer: feet
      arm
      chest
      head

      Q5.
      Match the bone to the correct location of the body.

      Correct Answer:cranium,head

      head

      Correct Answer:sternum,chest

      chest

      Correct Answer:femur,upper leg

      upper leg

      Correct Answer:tibia,lower leg

      lower leg

      Correct Answer:radius,lower arm

      lower arm

      Q6.
      Place the bones in the correct order starting at the head and moving to the feet.

      1 - cranium
      2 - scapula
      3 - pelvis
      4 - femur
      5 - fibula
      6 - tarsals
      Q3 image 2 Vecton/Shutterstock.com

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is classified as a flat bone?

      humerus
      femur
      Correct answer: sternum
      tarsals

      Q2.
      Which image shows an example of a short bone.

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Match the bone to the correct bone classification.

      Correct Answer:tibia,long bone

      long bone

      Correct Answer:tarsals,short bone

      short bone

      Correct Answer:cranium,flat bone

      flat bone

      Correct Answer:vertebral column,irregular bone

      irregular bone

      Q4.
      Match the bone classification with the correct function.

      Correct Answer:long bones,leverage and movement

      leverage and movement

      Correct Answer:shorts bones,weight bearing

      weight bearing

      Correct Answer:flat bones,protection of vital organs

      protection of vital organs

      Correct Answer:irregular bones,protection and muscle attachment

      protection and muscle attachment

      Q5.
      Flat bones are essential to protect vital ...

      Correct Answer: organs, organ

      Q6.
      Short bones support the body and bear ...

      Correct Answer: weight, body weight, mass

      To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Classification of bones applied to performance in physical activities and sports, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...