Physical Health
What this domain tests
Physical health questions ask about body functioning, fitness components, preventive habits, sleep, hygiene and risk factors. You must apply definitions and interpret simple measures, not just list 'eat well'.
Core rules and concepts
- Physical health = efficient functioning of body systems and ability to perform daily activities with reserve.
- Health-related fitness components: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition. Skill-related components (speed, agility, power, balance, coordination, reaction time) are separate.
- Sleep: adolescents generally need 8–10 hours; adults 7–9. Regular timing matters.
- Prevention: vaccination, hand hygiene, safe food/water, dental care, screening, helmet/seatbelt use.
- FITT principle: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type. Moderate activity raises breathing and heart rate.
- BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis; it misses muscle mass and fat distribution.
- Warning signs: persistent fatigue, unexplained weight change, breathlessness at rest, chest pain-refer, do not diagnose.
Worked example
A 60 kg student is 1.60 m tall. BMI = 60 / (1.60 × 1.60) = 60 / 2.56 ≈ 23.4 kg/m². Reasoning: this falls in the normal adult BMI band (18.5–24.9), but the student's sleep, diet, activity and waist measure must also be checked. BMI alone cannot declare the student healthy.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating BMI as a diagnosis or using adult cut-offs for children.
- Saying 'no symptoms' means disease-free.
- Confusing physical activity with physical fitness.
- Ignoring sleep and recovery in fitness plans.
- Recommending supplements or extreme diets instead of referring.
Key takeaway: define, measure cautiously, and link fitness to daily function and prevention.