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      The principles of training and their application to a personal exercise programme

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recall and apply the principles of training to an exercise programme.

      Key learning points

      1. Key principles of training in sport are individual needs, specificity, progressive overload, overtraining reversibility.
      2. Principles of traning are used to allow an athlete to plan an exercise programme.

      Keywords

      • Individual needs - training is meeting the requirements of the athlete

      • Specificity - training should be relevant to the specific demands of an activity or sport

      • Progressive overload - gradually increasing the amount of stress on the body so fitness gains occur, but without potential for injury

      • Overtraining - excessive exercise without adequate rest and recovery, leading to fatigue, decreased performance, and increased risk of injury

      • Reversibility - fitness gains decline when training stops or intensity decreases

      Common misconception

      Overload is negative and should not be encouraged during training.

      Overload is encouarged as a positive aspect of traning as progression is being managed correctly to bring about adaptations to fitness. It is not to be confused with 'overtraining' which can cause injuries.

      Teacher tip

      The ISPOROR letters are widely used to keep the principles memorable. Provide plenty of opportunity for learners to apply the principles to sporting scenarios.

      Equipment

      The ISPOROR letters with the matching definitions will be a useful starter and plenary activity, as well as providing the key definitions throughout the lesson.

      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 type of resistance has been used in this exercise?

      An image in a quiz
      free weights
      resistance bands
      dumbbells
      Correct answer: bodyweight

      Q2.
      Which type of resistance has been used in this exercise?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: free weights
      barbells
      resistance bands
      bodyweight

      Q3.
      Which fitness improvement is a priority for a sprinter?

      Correct answer: increase in speed
      increase in cardiovascular endurance
      increase in agility
      increase in balance

      Q4.
      Match the skill to the correct sport/event.

      Correct Answer:chest pass,netball

      netball

      Correct Answer:sprint start,200m

      200m

      Correct Answer:smash,badminton

      badminton

      Correct Answer:a tackle,rugby

      rugby

      Q5.
      Match the fitness component correctly.

      Correct Answer:ability to move quickly,speed

      speed

      Correct Answer:ability to overcome resistance,strength

      strength

      Correct Answer:response to a stimulus,reaction time

      reaction time

      Correct Answer:change direction at speed,agility

      agility

      Q6.
      A netball player will develop strength and in their arms to be able to pass the ball with power.

      Correct Answer: speed

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the principle of training to the correct letter of the ISPOROR acronym.

      Correct Answer:I,Individual needs

      Individual needs

      Correct Answer:S,Specificity

      Specificity

      Correct Answer:PO,Progressive overload

      Progressive overload

      Correct Answer:R,Reversibility

      Reversibility

      Correct Answer:O,Overtraining

      Overtraining

      Correct Answer:R,Rest and recovery

      Rest and recovery

      Q2.
      Which principle of training states the importance of training matching the requirements of the individual

      progressive overload
      overtraining
      rest and recovery
      Correct answer: individual needs

      Q3.
      "I will increase the weight from 5kg to 7.5kg in week 3". Which principle of training has been described here?

      specificity
      Correct answer: progressive overload
      reversibility
      rest and recovery

      Q4.
      Match the description to the correct principle of training.

      Correct Answer:specificity,making training specific to the movements in the sport.

      making training specific to the movements in the sport.

      Correct Answer:progressive overload,a gradual increase so that fitness gains occur.

      a gradual increase so that fitness gains occur.

      Correct Answer:reversibility,losing fitness levels when you stop exercising.

      losing fitness levels when you stop exercising.

      Correct Answer:overtraining,excessive exercise without adequate rest

      excessive exercise without adequate rest

      Q5.
      Match the quote from a football goalkeeper to the correct principle of training.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:specificity,"I will focus on flexibility in the shoulder and power to jump high"

      "I will focus on flexibility in the shoulder and power to jump high"

      Correct Answer:progressive overload,"In the gym I started with 8 box jumps and increased to 10"

      "In the gym I started with 8 box jumps and increased to 10"

      Correct Answer:reversibility,"If I do not use it, I will lose it"

      "If I do not use it, I will lose it"

      Correct Answer:rest and recovery,"I have rest days after heavy weight training"

      "I have rest days after heavy weight training"

      Q6.
      Reversibility is the when fitness levels when training stops.

      Correct Answer: decline, backwards, lose, decrease

      To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: The principles of training and their application to a personal exercise programme, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...