IGCSE PE 0413 · Area 2 · Health, Fitness & Training

Components of Fitness

Cambridge splits fitness into health-related and skill-related components, then asks you to link each one to performance rather than just name it. Ten components must be learned: agility, balance, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, flexibility, muscular endurance, power, reaction time, speed and strength. Marks go missing when a definition is correct but nothing is said about what the component lets a performer do.

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Syllabus coverage

  • The recognised components of health-related and skill-related fitness, linking these to performance in physical activities
  • Agility; balance: static and dynamic; cardiovascular endurance / stamina; coordination; flexibility; muscular endurance; power; reaction time; speed; strength

Part of the IGCSE PE 0413 syllabus 0413 / 0995.

The Cambridge fitness test list — and nothing else0413 names a fixed set of tests. Learn these; tests from other exam boards will not be credited.Cardiovascular enduranceMulti-Stage Fitness Test12-Minute Cooper RunFlexibilitySit and Reach TestMuscular enduranceMulti-Stage Abdominal Curl Conditioning TestPowerVertical Jump TestSpeed30-Metre Sprint TestStrength1 Rep Max TestHand Grip Dynamometer TestAgilityIllinois Agility TestBalance (static)Standing Stork TestCoordinationAnderson Wall Toss Coordination TestReaction timeRuler Drop TestFor each test you need: what it measures, the procedure, the equipment, and how the result is recorded.
The components of fitness, with the test used to measure each one and the equipment laid out ready for a testing session.

Two families: health-related and skill-related

Cambridge groups the recognised components into two families. Health-related components keep the body healthy and able to cope with the demands of everyday activity. Skill-related components allow a performer to produce skilled, controlled and fast movement in a specific physical activity.

Learn the split as well as the components, because questions often ask you to identify a component from one family, or to explain why a performer needs a component that belongs to one family.

FamilyComponentsWhat the family covers
Health-related (4)Cardiovascular endurance / stamina, flexibility, muscular endurance, strengthKeeping the body healthy and able to cope with the demands of everyday activity and of training
Skill-related (6)Agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, speedProducing skilled, controlled, fast movement in a specific physical activity
If a question asks for a health-related component and you give agility, you score nothing, even though agility is a real component. Read the family word.

The four health-related components

These four are the ones a performer builds with general training. They are the foundation the skill-related components sit on.

ComponentDefinitionSporting example
Cardiovascular endurance / staminaThe ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles over a long period of timeA cross-country runner holding pace over a 5 km course
Muscular enduranceThe ability of a muscle or muscle group to repeatedly contract without tiringA rower repeating the same powerful stroke for 2000 m
FlexibilityThe range of movement possible at a jointA gymnast performing a split, or a swimmer extending through the shoulder to reach further on each stroke
StrengthThe maximum force a muscle or muscle group can exert against a resistanceA rugby forward pushing in a scrum or driving in a maul

The six skill-related components

These six decide how well a performer can use their fitness in the movement patterns of their activity. Two performers can have identical cardiovascular endurance and finish in very different places, because one has more agility or reaction time.

ComponentDefinitionSporting example
AgilityThe ability to change the position of the body quickly and in a controlled way, changing direction at speedA netball centre dodging an opponent to create space
Balance (static and dynamic)The ability to keep the body's centre of mass over its base of supportA gymnast holding a handstand (static); a cyclist holding a line while cornering at speed (dynamic)
CoordinationThe ability to use two or more body parts together smoothly and efficientlyA tennis player timing the racket swing with the footwork so the racket meets the centre of the ball
PowerThe ability to release maximum force in the shortest possible time — strength used quicklyA high jumper driving off the ground to clear the bar
Reaction timeThe time between the presentation of a stimulus and the start of the responseA sprinter leaving the blocks the instant the starting gun fires
SpeedThe ability to move the whole body, or part of it, as fast as possibleA sprinter covering 100 m, or a badminton player moving the racket head quickly to a drop shot

Balance: static and dynamic

Cambridge splits balance in two, and you should use both words precisely. Static balance is holding the body's centre of mass over its base of support while the body is still. Dynamic balance is maintaining that control while the body is moving.

Both depend on the base of support and the position of the centre of mass: a wider base and a lower centre of mass make balance easier to hold.

  • Static: a gymnast holding a handstand, or a Standing Stork Test position held still.
  • Dynamic: a cyclist cornering, a gymnast landing a vault and staying upright, or a footballer staying on their feet through a challenge.
  • If a question says static and you describe a moving performer, both the component and the example are wrong.

The comparison table: all ten components

This is the table to learn by heart. It gives each component its family, its definition and one sporting example, which is everything Cambridge asks for in a definition question.

ComponentFamilyDefinitionSporting example
AgilitySkill-relatedChanging body position quickly and under control while changing direction at speedA netball player dodging to receive a pass
BalanceSkill-relatedKeeping the centre of mass over the base of support; static when still, dynamic when movingA gymnast holding a handstand; a cyclist cornering
Cardiovascular endurance / staminaHealth-relatedThe heart and lungs supplying oxygen to working muscles over a long periodA cross-country runner holding pace over 5 km
CoordinationSkill-relatedUsing two or more body parts together smoothly and efficientlyA tennis player timing racket and footwork to meet the ball
FlexibilityHealth-relatedThe range of movement possible at a jointA gymnast performing a split
Muscular enduranceHealth-relatedA muscle or muscle group repeatedly contracting without tiringA rower repeating a powerful stroke for 2000 m
PowerSkill-relatedReleasing maximum force in the shortest possible time (strength used quickly)A high jumper driving off the ground
Reaction timeSkill-relatedThe time between the stimulus and the start of the responseA sprinter reacting to the starting gun
SpeedSkill-relatedMoving the whole body, or part of it, as fast as possibleA sprinter running 100 m
StrengthHealth-relatedThe maximum force a muscle or muscle group can exert against a resistanceA rugby forward pushing in a scrum

Using the explain pattern for components

State questions want the definition: "Power is the ability to release maximum force in the shortest possible time."

Two-mark explain questions want the definition plus what it lets the performer do: "Agility is the ability to change direction quickly and under control, so a netball player can dodge a defender and get into space to receive the pass."

Six-mark or evaluation questions want several components, each linked to a specific movement in the activity: "A badminton player needs agility to change direction and recover to the centre of the court, reaction time to respond to a fast smash, and muscular endurance to keep the quality of movement high through a long three-set match."

The phrase so the performer can... is the difference between a definition mark and an application mark. Write the link, not just the label.

Key terms you must be able to define

Agility
The ability to change the position of the body quickly and in a controlled way, changing direction at speed.
Static balance
The ability to keep the body's centre of mass over its base of support while the body is still.
Dynamic balance
The ability to keep the body's centre of mass over its base of support while the body is moving.
Cardiovascular endurance / stamina
The ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles over a long period of time.
Coordination
The ability to use two or more body parts together smoothly and efficiently.
Flexibility
The range of movement possible at a joint.
Muscular endurance
The ability of a muscle or muscle group to repeatedly contract without tiring.
Power
The ability to release maximum force in the shortest possible time — strength used quickly.
Reaction time
The time between the presentation of a stimulus and the start of the response.
Speed
The ability to move the whole body, or part of it, as fast as possible.
Strength
The maximum force a muscle or muscle group can exert against a resistance.
Health-related fitness
The components that keep the body healthy and able to cope with the demands of everyday activity: cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength.

Applied to your sport

Cambridge requires you to apply this knowledge to physical activities. Use these as models, then write your own for the sport you play.

Badminton

Agility lets a player change direction and recover to the centre of the court after a wide shot, while reaction time lets them respond to a smash struck from close range.

Artistic Gymnastics

Flexibility gives the range of movement at the hips to perform a split, and static balance holds the body's centre of mass over the hands in a handstand.

Cross-Country Running

Cardiovascular endurance is the whole event: the heart and lungs must keep supplying oxygen to the working muscles for the full distance without the runner slowing.

Rugby

Strength is needed to exert maximum force against the resistance of the opposition in a scrum, while muscular endurance keeps that force going through repeated phases of play.

Track and Field Athletics

Power is strength released quickly, which is exactly what a high jumper needs to drive off the ground, and coordination times the free leg and arm swing with the take-off.

Flashcards

Click a card to flip it. Mark honestly — the tracker uses this.

Q1Name the four health-related components of fitness.
Cardiovascular endurance / stamina, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength.
Q2Name the six skill-related components of fitness.
Agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.
Q3Define agility.
The ability to change the position of the body quickly and in a controlled way, changing direction at speed.
Q4Define power.
The ability to release maximum force in the shortest possible time — strength used quickly.
Q5Define muscular endurance.
The ability of a muscle or muscle group to repeatedly contract without tiring.
Q6Define flexibility.
The range of movement possible at a joint.
Q7Define coordination.
The ability to use two or more body parts together smoothly and efficiently.
Q8Define reaction time.
The time between the presentation of a stimulus and the start of the response.
Q9What is the difference between static and dynamic balance?
Static balance is holding the centre of mass over the base of support while still; dynamic balance is maintaining that control while moving.
Q10Which health-related component is measured by the Multi-Stage Fitness Test?
Cardiovascular endurance / stamina.
Q11Give a sporting example of speed and say which family it belongs to.
A sprinter running 100 m in Track and Field Athletics. Speed is skill-related.
Q12Give a sporting example of strength and say which family it belongs to.
A rugby forward pushing in a scrum. Strength is health-related.
0 of 12 marked as known

Exam-style questions

6 questions, 17 marks. Write your answer, then reveal the mark scheme and tick each point you actually made. Answering honestly here is what makes the rest of the site useful.

StateAO11 mark
State one skill-related component of fitness.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: One component, one mark. Do not give a health-related component such as flexibility; the family word matters.
IdentifyAO12 marks
Identify two health-related components of fitness.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Both must come from the health-related family: cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength.
DescribeAO22 marks
Describe the difference between static balance and dynamic balance, using an example from a physical activity for each.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Two halves, two marks. Definition plus an example for each half is the safest structure here.
ExplainAO23 marks
Explain why a netball player needs agility, reaction time and coordination.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Each mark is a component plus what it lets the player do. Naming three components with no link scores nothing.
CompareAO24 marks
Compare the fitness demands on a competitive swimmer with those on a rugby forward.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Compare means both performers, both sides. Four marks over two performers means two points each.
EvaluateAO25 marks
A coach is selecting a basketball team. Evaluate which components of fitness are most important and justify your choices.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Evaluation needs components named and justified, then a final judgement that ranks or weighs them. Five components listed with no reasoning earn nothing.

Exam technique for this topic

  • Learn the family of each component. State one health-related component and state one skill-related component are different questions with different answers.
  • A definition alone rarely earns full marks on an explain question. Add so the performer can... and finish the chain.
  • Keep power and strength apart. Strength is maximum force; power is maximum force released quickly.
  • Keep agility and coordination apart. Agility is fast, controlled change of direction for the whole body; coordination is body parts working smoothly together.
  • Use activities from the syllabus list only — Association Football, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Rugby, Track and Field Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Cycling and so on.

Why students lose marks here

A student wrotePower is the same as strength, just more of it.
Why it loses marksPower is not simply more strength. Power is strength applied quickly, which is why the syllabus defines it as releasing maximum force in the shortest possible time.
The answer that scoresStrength is the maximum force a muscle can exert against a resistance; power is the ability to release that maximum force in the shortest possible time. A heavy weightlifter needs strength; a high jumper needs power.
A student wroteAgility is being able to balance and stay steady while moving.
Why it loses marksThat is dynamic balance. Agility is about changing direction quickly and under control, which is a different quality.
The answer that scoresAgility is the ability to change the position of the body quickly and in a controlled way, changing direction at speed — for example a netball player dodging a defender. Dynamic balance is keeping the centre of mass over the base of support while moving.
A student wroteFlexibility is a skill-related component because gymnasts show it off.
Why it loses marksFlexibility is health-related. Using it impressively in an activity does not change which family it belongs to.
The answer that scoresFlexibility is health-related: it is the range of movement possible at a joint and contributes to health and to coping with everyday activity. The skill-related components are agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.
A student wroteCardiovascular endurance is how fast your heart beats.
Why it loses marksHeart rate is a measurement, not the component. The component is about supplying oxygen to working muscles over time.
The answer that scoresCardiovascular endurance, or stamina, is the ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to the working muscles over a long period of time, so a cross-country runner can hold pace for the whole race.

Where this fits in IGCSE PE 0413

This page is one topic of Cambridge IGCSE PE 0413 / 0995. IGCSE PE 0413 is the course home: every area and every topic in Cambridge's own order, the papers you sit and what each one tests, and the exam-practice tools. The full topic list, with each topic linked to its revision page, is on the IGCSE PE 0413 syllabus page.