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      Physical, emotional and social health, fitness and wellbeing

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain the physical, emotional and social benefits of exercise and discuss the relationship between health and fitness.

      Key learning points

      1. Health involves physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
      2. Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment.
      3. Engaging in regular exercise can have physical benefits to health and fitness.
      4. Engaging in physical activities helps individuals control their emotions better.
      5. Social benefits of physical activity include opportunities to socialise and make friends.

      Keywords

      • Health - a state of complete physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

      • Fitness - the ability to meet the demands of the environment

      • Physical health - all body systems working well, free from illness and injury

      • Emotional health - can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community

      • Social health - basic human needs are being met (food, shelter and clothing) and the individual has friendship and support, some value in society, is socially active and has little stress in social circumstances

      Common misconception

      Students think the only benefits to exercise are physical benefits.

      Explain the importance of social and emotional benefits too, particularly for participants such as elderly people.

      Teacher tip

      You may wish to highlight some benfits in practical lessons - e.g. when you have allowed students to work with who they want in an OAA lesson and how that has increased confidence and team work skills.

      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.
      If someone is described as 'very social', what does that mean?

      they have good muscular strength
      they are never stressed
      Correct answer: they spend lots of time with other people
      they would be good marathon runners

      Q2.
      Losing weight is an example of a physical of doing exercise.

      Correct Answer: benefit, effect, impact

      Q3.
      Match the long term physical effect of regular training to the correct body system.

      Correct Answer:skeletal system,increased bone density

      increased bone density

      Correct Answer:muscular system,increased muscular endurance

      increased muscular endurance

      Correct Answer:cardiovascular system,cardiac hypertrophy

      cardiac hypertrophy

      Correct Answer:respiratory system,capillarisation at the alveoli

      capillarisation at the alveoli

      Q4.
      Often straight after people have taken part in physical activity they feel ...

      upset
      scared
      Correct answer: good
      angry

      Q5.
      What can 'mental health' also be referred as?

      physical health
      Correct answer: emotional health
      social health
      spiritual health

      Q6.
      Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the ...

      gym
      tennis court
      running track
      Correct answer: environment

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which is not a type of health?

      emotional
      Correct answer: fitness
      social
      physical

      Q2.
      Match the correct key word to the definition.

      Correct Answer:fitness,the ability to meet the demands of the environment

      the ability to meet the demands of the environment

      Correct Answer:physical health,all body systems working well, free from illness and injury

      all body systems working well, free from illness and injury

      Correct Answer:emotional health,can cope with the normal stresses of life

      can cope with the normal stresses of life

      Correct Answer:social health,individual has friendship and support and value in society

      individual has friendship and support and value in society

      Q3.
      Which are examples of a physical benefit of exercise?

      Correct answer: reduces health risks
      reduces stress and tension
      Correct answer: reduces blood pressure
      reduces loneliness

      Q4.
      Andy wants to join a netball club to make friends. What type of benefit is this?

      physical
      emotional
      Correct answer: social
      fitness

      Q5.
      Kobe goes to badminton club because it is fun and he enjoys it. What type of health benefit is this?

      Correct Answer: emotional, emotional health

      Q6.
      Match the impacts of fitness to the types of health it affects.

      Correct Answer:positive impact on physical health,can improve ability to do every day tasks e.g. carry the shopping.

      can improve ability to do every day tasks e.g. carry the shopping.

      Correct Answer:negative impact on physical health,risk of a sports related injury

      risk of a sports related injury

      Correct Answer:positive impact on emotional health,lowers the risk of depression

      lowers the risk of depression

      Correct Answer:negative impact on emotional health,can lead to an obsessive interest in body shape

      can lead to an obsessive interest in body shape


      To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Physical, emotional and social health, fitness and wellbeing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...