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      Physical, emotional and social aspects of health

      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 well–being.
      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 - the state of emotional, physical and social well-being

      • Fitness - your ability to meet the physical demands placed on you by 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

      Thinking that being physically fit means that someone is healthy.

      It is possible to be physically fit but unhealthy. It is essential to consider social and emotional benefits/aspects of health as well as strength, cardiovascular endurance etc.

      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 being '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.
      squash 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.
      Ali likes to go to the gym to improve their strength. What type of health benefit is this?

      Correct answer: physical
      emotional
      social
      fitness

      Q4.
      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

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

      Correct Answer: emotional, emotional health

      Q6.
      This data shows the BMI levels of a group of university students. How many students were classed as underweight?

      An image in a quiz
      2
      Correct answer: 3
      4
      5

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