Health and Fitness
Domain 5: Health and Fitness
The OSAT Elementary Education Health and Fitness domain tests health promotion, nutrition, physical fitness, safety, disease prevention, and social-emotional health, plus developmentally appropriate physical education practice. Candidates should know how to help children build lifelong healthy behaviors and how to keep activity safe and inclusive.
Core rules and concepts
- Health-related fitness has five components: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
- The FITT principle describes frequency, intensity, time, and type of activity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) should make up a substantial portion of physical education class.
- MyPlate emphasizes balanced food groups, nutrient-dense choices, and moderation rather than labeling foods “good” or “bad.”
- Aerobic activity uses oxygen over sustained time; anaerobic activity is short and high-intensity. Muscular strength is maximal force; muscular endurance is repeated effort.
- Safety and disease prevention include helmet use, water safety, handwashing, immunization, and sun protection. Mental health includes stress management, resilience, and recognizing bullying.
Worked example
Estimate the target heart-rate range for a 10-year-old using 220 minus age for maximum heart rate: 220 − 10 = 210 beats per minute. At 60% to 80% intensity, multiply 210 by 0.60 and 0.80 to get about 126 to 168 beats per minute. Reasoning: the formula gives an estimate, not a medical prescription; children should be taught to monitor effort with talk-test and perceived exertion as well as pulse. The common error is subtracting age after multiplying or reversing the intensity range.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse aerobic with anaerobic activity. Do not confuse muscular strength with muscular endurance. Do not treat “fat-free” as automatically healthy. Do not present target heart rate as a diagnosis. Do not equate physical activity only with competitive sport.