Complete specification map

Everything you learn in Physical Education

Not a school tick-list — every accredited heading from spec AQA Physical Education, mapped across all major UK boards. Track progress topic-by-topic when you join Examevo.

6spec units
23topics mapped
5exam boards
AQAEdexcelOCRWJECCCEA
Intro · 8Standard · 7Advanced · 8
01

Anatomy and physiology

6 topics in this unit

  1. 1The skeletal systemIntro
    • Structure of the skeleton — axial and appendicular
    • Functions of the skeleton — support, protection and movement
    • Types of bone — long, short, flat and irregular
    • Types of joint — hinge, ball and socket and pivot
    • Ligaments, tendons and injury at joints
  2. 2The muscular systemIntro
    • Types of muscle — voluntary, involuntary and cardiac
    • Structure of skeletal muscle — origin and insertion
    • Antagonistic muscle pairs and joint movement
    • Types of muscular contraction — isotonic and isometric
    • Major muscles used in sport and muscle fatigue
  3. 3The cardiovascular systemIntro
    • Structure of the heart — chambers, valves and blood vessels
    • Double circulatory system and blood flow through the heart
    • Blood vessels — arteries, veins and capillaries
    • Composition and functions of blood
    • Cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate
  4. 4The respiratory systemIntro
    • Structure of the respiratory system
    • Mechanics of breathing — inspiration and expiration
    • Gaseous exchange at the alveoli
    • Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
    • Tidal volume, vital capacity and minute ventilation
  5. 5The short-term effects of exerciseIntro
    • Increased heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output
    • Increased breathing rate and depth
    • Redistribution of blood to working muscles
    • Role of adrenaline and glycogen use
    • Oxygen debt, lactic acid and muscle fatigue
  6. 6The long-term effects of exerciseIntro
    • Cardiac hypertrophy and resting heart rate
    • Increased lung capacity and VO₂ max
    • Hypertrophy, capillarisation and increased strength
    • Increased bone density and joint stability
    • Improved flexibility and reduced injury risk
02

Movement analysis

3 topics in this unit

  1. 1Lever systems and mechanical advantageIntro
    • First-, second- and third-class levers in the body
    • Fulcrum, load and effort in sporting movements
    • Mechanical advantage and disadvantage
    • Examples of levers in sport
    • How lever class affects force and speed
  2. 2Planes and axes of movementIntro
    • Sagittal, frontal and transverse planes
    • Medial, lateral, longitudinal and transverse axes
    • Flexion and extension movements
    • Abduction and adduction movements
    • Rotation and sporting examples
  3. 3Analysis of sporting actionsStandard
    • Breaking down a skill into phases
    • Identifying joints, muscles and levers used
    • Linking movement to planes and axes
    • Applying analysis to different sports
    • Using diagrams to explain movement
03

Physical training

4 topics in this unit

  1. 1Components of fitnessStandard
    • Health-related fitness — cardiovascular endurance and muscular endurance
    • Health-related fitness — flexibility, speed and body composition
    • Skill-related fitness — agility, balance and coordination
    • Skill-related fitness — power and reaction time
    • Linking components to sports and positions
  2. 2Principles of training and FITTStandard
    • Individual needs, specificity and progression
    • Overload, reversibility and rest
    • FITT — frequency, intensity, time and type
    • Thresholds of training and target heart rate zones
    • Planning a personal training programme
  3. 3Methods of trainingStandard
    • Continuous, fartlek and interval training
    • Circuit, weight and cross training
    • High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
    • Advantages and disadvantages of each method
    • Matching training methods to fitness goals
  4. 4Preventing injury and recoveryStandard
    • Warm-up — pulse raisers and dynamic stretching
    • Cool-down and static stretching
    • Correct technique and appropriate equipment
    • Rest, hydration and nutrition for recovery
    • RICE protocol for soft-tissue injury
04

Sports psychology

4 topics in this unit

  1. 1Skill and abilityStandard
    • Difference between skill and ability
    • Classification of skills — open and closed
    • Classification of skills — gross and fine
    • Self-paced and externally paced skills
    • Simple, complex, discrete and serial skills
  2. 2Goal setting and SMART targetsStandard
    • Outcome, performance and process goals
    • SMART target setting in sport
    • Short- and long-term goal planning
    • Monitoring progress towards goals
    • How goals improve motivation and performance
  3. 3Mental preparation and arousalAdvanced
    • Optimal level of arousal and the inverted-U theory
    • Drive theory and elite performers
    • Techniques — imagery, mental rehearsal and mindfulness
    • Pre-performance routines
    • Managing nerves and competition anxiety
  4. 4Guidance and feedbackAdvanced
    • Types of guidance — visual, verbal, manual and mechanical
    • When to use each type of guidance
    • Types of feedback — intrinsic and extrinsic
    • Knowledge of results and knowledge of performance
    • Timing and frequency of feedback
05

Socio-cultural influences

3 topics in this unit

  1. 1Engagement patterns in physical activityAdvanced
    • Trends in participation by age and gender
    • Socio-economic group and ethnicity patterns
    • Barriers to participation — cost, access and time
    • Strategies to increase participation
    • Role of schools, clubs and national initiatives
  2. 2Commercialisation and mediaAdvanced
    • Sponsorship, advertising and endorsements
    • Positive and negative effects of commercialisation
    • Media coverage — TV, streaming and social media
    • Impact on performers, spectators and sports
    • Golden triangle — sport, media and sponsorship
  3. 3Ethical and socio-cultural issues in sportAdvanced
    • Sportsmanship, gamesmanship and deviance
    • Performance-enhancing drugs and anti-doping
    • Hooliganism and spectator behaviour
    • Role models and conduct in sport
    • Fair play, inclusion and disability sport
06

Health, fitness and wellbeing

3 topics in this unit

  1. 1Healthy active lifestylesAdvanced
    • Benefits of physical activity for health and wellbeing
    • Sedentary lifestyle and health risks
    • Recommended activity guidelines
    • Balancing school, work and exercise
    • Lifelong participation in physical activity
  2. 2Diet and nutritionAdvanced
    • Macronutrients — carbohydrates, proteins and fats
    • Micronutrients — vitamins and minerals
    • Hydration and water balance
    • Pre-, during- and post-exercise nutrition
    • Energy balance, weight management and performance
  3. 3Drugs in sport and health risksAdvanced
    • Types of performance-enhancing drugs
    • Stimulants, narcotics and peptide hormones
    • Blood doping and beta blockers
    • Health risks and side effects of drug misuse
    • WADA, testing and consequences of doping

Tick topics off as you study — synced to your personal syllabus after sign-up

Weak topics surface automatically after you submit a marked paper

Track this syllabus free →View practice papers →

Ready to start?

Join UK students and parents marking handwritten GCSE papers with Examevo.

I'm a student →I'm a parent →