Practical: Physical Fitness and Sports Skill Assessment
What the domain covers
The practical assessment tests fitness testing and sport-skill testing: protocol, measurement, scoring, safety and record keeping. You must be able to describe a test precisely and interpret a score.
Core content
- Fitness tests may include height and weight for BMI, 50 m sprint, 600 m run or 20 m shuttle run, sit-ups, push-ups, sit-and-reach and shoulder flexibility.
- Skill tests may include volleyball serve, basketball dribble, soccer dribble, badminton clear and cricket bowling, depending on the chosen game.
- Standardisation matters: warm-up, demonstration, clear start and finish lines, correct equipment, number of trials and rest between trials.
- Record the raw score, the unit, the trial used and any conditions affecting performance.
- Maintain a record file and be ready for viva questions on protocol, safety and norms.
Worked example
In a 1-minute sit-up test, the partner counts only complete curl-ups: back to the floor and elbows touching thighs. The score is the number of correct repetitions in 60 seconds. The reasoning shows that partial repetitions are not counted and that the tester must use a standard mat and timer.
Traps that cost marks
Changing the protocol between students; counting incomplete repetitions; skipping the warm-up; and recording a score without units or trial number.