Ch 13: Exercise Physiology & Fitness for Physical Education
About This Chapter
Exercise Physiology & Fitness for Physical Education - Chapter Summary
The goal of physical education is to promote the healthy physical development of all students. In this chapter, professional instructors will guide you through the important elements of teaching and assessing exercise physiology and fitness in a P.E. setting. You will learn aerobic endurance, cardiorespiratory, strength-building, and flexibility activities to use with the young people in your class. Specific examples and explanations presented in the chapter will help you think about talking to your students about the importance of exercise and how you will assess their fitness progress. Enjoy your learning experience as you prepare to get those children moving!
When you have completed the chapter, you should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of exercise physiology and physical fitness
- Develop and demonstrate cardiorespiratory and aerobic fitness activities for all age and ability levels
- Develop and demonstrate strength-building and flexibility exercises for all age and ability levels
- Assess fitness and endurance progress with all students
The lessons in this chapter are presented through brief, engaging lessons designed to enhance your knowledge of exercise physiology and fitness training in a P.E. classroom. Each lesson has an accompanying transcript and self-assessment quiz to enhance your learning. In addition, you can use the Timeline feature of the video recorder to review specific areas of each lesson. Be sure to track your progress on your dashboard.

1. Exercise Physiology: Definition & Goals
Exercise physiology refers to understanding how the body reacts to exercise. Explore the definition, goals, and areas of exercise physiology, learn about exercise program development, and review the steps of health and risk assessment, exercise testing, and exercise prescription.

2. What is Physical Fitness? - Definition & Importance
Physical fitness is the ability to do daily tasks without becoming easily fatigued. Explore the definition and importance of physical fitness and learn about cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

3. Developing Aerobic Endurance
Aerobic endurance is the measure of longevity at which one can exert high aerobic effort. Learn different strategies to improve aerobic endurance, and discover the safety precautions that can prevent injury or harm in the process.

4. Cardiorespiratory Fitness Activities for Various Levels
Cardiorespiratory fitness activities are those that improve the body's ability to process and use oxygen. Learn different fitness activities grouped into three different levels, varying in skill and physical demands.

5. Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Techniques & Resources
In this lesson we review ways to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. We describe the resources and techniques utilized to perform these tests and monitor endurance levels. We also elaborate on self-assessment techniques as well.

6. Developing Strength & Muscle Endurance
In this lesson we review ways to develop both strength and muscle endurance. We discuss principles and processes for achieving these skills and physiological goals along with crucial safety practices as well.

7. Activities for Building Strength & Muscular Endurance
To be physically fit, individuals need healthy muscles. Explore activities for building muscular strength and endurance. Recognize the balance and benefits of muscular strength combined with muscular endurance, and review templates for each.

8. Assessing Strength & Muscular Endurance
Strength or muscular endurance can be assessed using measurements of dynamic and static performance. See how these assessments are conducted via observation or alone, noting the potential errors and genetic factors involved.

9. Flexibility in Fitness: Definition, Stretches & Exercises
Muscular flexibility, which is the ability to move joints freely, is necessary to achieve optimum fitness levels. Learn about the definition and benefits of flexibility, how to use stretches effectively, and exercises to increase flexibility like yoga, pilates, and tai chi.

10. Developing Flexibility: Principles & Skills
In this lesson, we will tackle two questions: Why do I need flexibility? How do I gain flexibility? Stretching and flexibility help us stay limber, remain injury free, improve performance, and generally achieve better health and wellness.

11. Assessing Flexibility: Techniques, Resources & Self-Assessment
In this lesson, we assess flexibility and discuss resources and techniques for doing so. We also review methodologies for self-assessment. We elaborate on seven of the most popular tests that are available to measure flexibility.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the GACE Health & Physical Education (615): Practice & Study Guide course
- Mental & Emotional Health
- Personal Health & Wellness
- Relationships & Communication
- Types & Stages of Human Development
- Human Body Organs & Systems
- Sexual Health
- Diet, Nutrition & Health Problems
- Drugs & Substance Abuse
- Personal Safety & Injury Prevention
- Basics of Physical Education
- Overview of the Major Muscle Groups of the Human Body
- Kinesiology & Biomechanics
- Motor Skill Development
- Sports, Physical Activity & Fitness
- Softball Rules & Skills
- Soccer History & Rules
- Swimming Skills & Benefits
- Tennis Rules & Techniques
- Volleyball History & Rules
- History & Rules of Track & Field
- Outdoor, Adventure & Cooperative Physical Education
- Dance Concepts & Forms
- Creating Fitness & Exercise Plans
- Health & Physical Education Classroom Management
- Motivation in the Physical Education Classroom
- Communication & Collaboration in Physical Education
- Physical Education Curriculum & Assessments
- Physical Education Planning & Instruction
- Equitable Physical Education for Diverse Students
- Professionalism for Health & Physical Education Teachers
- GACE Health & Physical Education Flashcards