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      The importance of exercise

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe why it is important for humans to exercise.

      Key learning points

      1. It is important for humans to live a healthy life.
      2. Exercise is one way for humans to become and stay healthy.
      3. Exercise increases breathing rate, heart rate and can cause humans to sweat more.
      4. Exercise is known to improve your heart, lungs and muscle strength.

      Keywords

      • Healthy - A plant or animal is healthy if it is in a state of well-being and free from disease.

      • Exercise - Exercise means using a lot of effort to move our bodies so that they stay fit and healthy.

      • Heart rate - Heart rate is the number of times a heart beats each minute.

      • Lungs - The lung is an organ that some animals use to breathe. Mammals have two lungs.

      • Muscles - A muscle is a part of our body that helps us to move.

      Common misconception

      Household chores are not examples of physical activity but sports, running and climbing are. Playing, dancing and walking are not fitness activities.

      Examples of a variety of different physical activities.

      Teacher tip

      Task A2 can be indoors or outdoors as part of a science or a P.E. lesson. Tailor the activities depending on the available resources and the needs of the pupils in your class. This lesson contains a diagnostic question on slide 13 - see additional materials for further guidance.

      Equipment

      P.E. equipment depending on activities chosen, e.g. balls, hoops, cones etc.

      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.
      Hand washing is an example of ...

      exercise.
      Correct answer: personal hygiene.
      a healthy diet.

      Q2.
      What is the name for the sticky substance that can cover your teeth and damage them?

      Correct answer: plaque
      germs
      tooth decay

      Q3.
      Who can help you to keep your teeth healthy?

      a vet
      a doctor
      Correct answer: a dentist

      Q4.
      How often should we brush our teeth?

      twice a year
      twice a week
      Correct answer: twice a day

      Q5.
      How can we look after our teeth?

      Wash our hands more.
      Correct answer: Eat less sugary foods.
      Do more exercise.

      Q6.
      What is tooth decay?

      when someone is late to brush their teeth
      when teeth are growing
      Correct answer: damage and painful holes in teeth

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why do many humans choose to eat well and have good personal hygiene?

      so they don't get bored
      to use water
      Correct answer: to live a healthy life

      Q2.
      Which of these is a way to become and stay healthy?

      Correct answer: exercising
      playing computer games
      drinking fizzy drinks

      Q3.
      What is exercise?

      Exercise is doing something you enjoy.
      Correct answer: Exercise is using effort to move your body.
      Exercise is eating lots of vegetables.

      Q4.
      Which of these is a type of exercise?

      watching television
      reading a book
      Correct answer: playing football

      Q5.
      A human's heart rate changes when they exercise. Does it get faster or slower?

      Correct Answer: faster, quicker

      Q6.
      Exercise is known to improve the strength of your ...

      Correct answer: heart, lungs and muscles.
      bones and teeth.
      hair and nails.

      To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: The importance of exercise, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...