Physical Education Study Notes

In this area of study, students examine the biomechanical and skill-acquisition principles that can be applied when analysing and improving movement skills for participation and performance. Through practical activities, students explore and analyse their own movement and use coaching to investigate factors that influence skill acquisition. They develop an understanding of how appropriately applying biomechanical and skill-acquisition principles leads to the development of optimal movement patterns to enhance participation and performance.

In this area of study, students explore the various systems and mechanisms associated with the production of energy required for human movement. They consider the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems and the roles of each in supplying oxygen to, and creating energy at, the working muscles. They examine the ways in which energy for movement is produced by the three energy systems and the associated fuels used for physical activity, sport and exercise of varying intensity and duration. Students also consider the many factors contributing to fatigue, nutritional tools to delay fatigue and recovery strategies used to optimise the return to pre-exercise conditions. Through practical activities, students explore the interplay of the energy systems during physical activity, sport and exercise.

In this area of study, students analyse the information required to form the foundation of an effective training program. Through participation, they undertake and collect data from an activity analysis and justify the specific physiological requirements of an activity. Students determine the relevant factors that affect each of the fitness components and conduct an assessment of fitness that demonstrates correct and appropriate implementation of testing protocols and procedures and informs the design of the training program.

In this area of study, students focus on participation, implementation and evaluation of training principles and methods from practical and theoretical perspectives. They consider the ways in which fitness can be improved by applying appropriate training principles and methods when designing and critiquing a training program. Students identify and consider components of an exercise training session, and they record and analyse relevant data that can be used to adjust training. Students explain the chronic adaptations of the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems that improve fitness and enhance performance.

In this area of study, students reflect on their participation in a practical activity and use primary data collected to demonstrate their integration of theory and practice across Units 3 and 4. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students are required to analyse the interrelationships between skill acquisition, biomechanics, energy production and training, and the impacts these have on performance. An extended response will be used to assess this area of study, in which students will answer a prompt(s) utilising the evidence recorded in their reflective folio. Prior to the extended response, students will use a planning tool such as a mind map to determine and explore links between theoretical concepts and the practical activity.