Vocabulary: Health and Fitness

Subject: PE - Physical Education | Year: 8

Name: _________________________ Class/Set: ____________ Date: ____________

Word	Definition	Example Sentence
Aerobic	Exercise that requires oxygen to produce energy, usually performed at a moderate intensity.	Long-distance running is a type of aerobic exercise that improves heart health.
Anaerobic	High-intensity exercise where the body produces energy without using oxygen.	A 100-metre sprint is an anaerobic activity because it is short and very fast.
Agility	The ability to change direction at speed while maintaining control of the body.	A netball player uses agility to dodge an opponent and move into space.
Balance	The ability to maintain the body’s centre of mass over a base of support.	A gymnast needs excellent balance to stay steady while performing on the beam.
Cardiovascular	Relating to the heart and blood vessels.	Regular swimming improves your cardiovascular endurance, allowing you to swim for longer.
Coordination	The ability to move two or more body parts together smoothly and accurately.	Good hand-eye coordination is essential for a cricket player when hitting the ball.
Flexibility	The range of movement possible around a joint.	Performing a pike jump in trampolining requires great flexibility in the hamstrings.
Intensity	A measure of how hard an individual is working during a physical activity.	We used heart rate monitors to track the intensity of our circuit training session.
Lactic Acid	A waste product produced in the muscles during high-intensity anaerobic exercise.	The buildup of lactic acid in my legs made them feel heavy during the final sprint.
Muscular Endurance	The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to work for a long time without tiring.	Doing many repetitions of light weights helps to build muscular endurance.
Muscular Strength	The maximum force a muscle can exert against a resistance in a single effort.	A shot putter requires high levels of muscular strength to throw the heavy metal ball.
Power	The ability to perform strength-based movements quickly (Strength × Speed).	A vertical jump test measures the power in a student’s legs.
Reaction Time	The time taken to respond to a specific stimulus.	A goalkeeper needs a fast reaction time to save a shot from close range.
Recovery	The time required for the body to repair itself and return to normal after exercise.	Stretching and drinking water are important parts of the recovery process.
Speed	The rate at which an individual can cover a distance or perform a movement.	Improving your speed will help you reach the ball before your opponent in football.
Stamina	The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.	Playing a full 80-minute rugby match requires high levels of physical stamina.
Hypertrophy	The increase in the size of muscle cells, usually as a result of resistance training.	Consistent weightlifting leads to muscle hypertrophy over several months.
Frequency	How often someone trains or performs physical activity per week.	To improve fitness, you should increase the frequency of your training sessions.
Sedentary	A lifestyle involving little or no physical activity.	A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems like obesity and heart disease.
Analysis	Breaking down a performance into parts to understand how to improve it.	We used video analysis to look at our passing technique in the hockey lesson.

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⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE

💡 Pedagogical Opportunities

• Model: When discussing Aerobic and Anaerobic exercise, use the "Talk Test." Explain that if a student can talk while exercising, they are likely working aerobically. If they are too breathless to speak, they have crossed the anaerobic threshold.
• Explain: Ensure students understand that Power is a "composite" component of fitness. Use the formula Power = Strength × Speed to help Year 8 students grasp the mathematical link in Sports Science.
• Address Misconceptions: Students often confuse Muscular Strength with Muscular Endurance. Use the example of a single heavy lift (Strength) versus multiple repetitions of a lighter movement (Endurance) to clarify.
• Safety & Nuance Check: ⚠ When teaching Intensity, remind students to monitor their own perceived exertion (RPE). Ensure they understand that "working to failure" is only appropriate in specific, supervised training contexts to avoid injury.
• Practical Application: Encourage students to identify which vocabulary words apply to their favorite sports. For example, a defender in football might prioritize Agility and Reaction Time.