Lesson 1 - Building Stamina and Endurance
Diverse Fitness Development
•Year 4
•Health Related Fitness
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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How can we train our bodies to keep going for longer periods without getting tired?
Learning Objectives
- Understand what stamina is and how to develop it through sustained activity
- Learn to warm up and cool down effectively for fitness activities
- Develop the ability to maintain performance when feeling tired
Key Outcomes
- Students will be able to explain what stamina means in their own words
- Students will demonstrate proper warm-up and cool-down techniques
- Students will show sustained effort across multiple fitness stations
Equipment & Resources Required
Used for marking station boundaries and shuttle runs
Alternative: Markers, bean bags, or chalk lines
For throw/catch/change station
Alternative: Any soft throwing object
Pre-prepared with station names and score boxes
Alternative: Clipboards with paper and pencils
Create clear lateral jumping boundaries
Alternative: Cones in a line or chalk lines
For timing 45-second intervals and rest periods
Alternative: Phone timer or class clock
For measuring 5m and 10m distances
Alternative: Pre-measured distances marked with cones
Key Vocabulary
The ability to sustain physical effort over extended periods of time
The capacity to continue physical activity without becoming overly fatigued
A form of exercise where you move through different stations performing various activities
Explosive jumping movements that develop power and coordination
The time needed for your body to return to normal after exercise
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of physical activity
- Simple movement patterns and coordination
- Following instructions in PE lessons
Current Skills
- Understanding stamina and endurance concepts
- Circuit training techniques
- Self-assessment and score recording
Next Steps
- Creating personal fitness plans
- Understanding heart rate and recovery
- Leading fitness sessions for peers
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Stamina is about maintaining effort over time, not maximum speed
- Proper warm-up prevents injury and prepares the body for exercise
- Active recovery helps maintain movement while allowing partial rest
- Honest self-assessment is more valuable than competitive scoring
- Cooling down is equally important as warming up for injury prevention
- Good technique should be maintained even when tired
- Individual improvement is more important than comparison with others
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: Stamina training means going as fast as possible. Correction: Stamina is about sustained effort at manageable intensity
- Misconception: Rest periods are for complete stopping. Correction: Active recovery keeps the body moving while reducing intensity
- Misconception: Higher scores are always better. Correction: Honest recording and personal improvement are the real goals
- Misconception: Fitness training is only about physical strength. Correction: Mental resilience and perseverance are equally important
- Misconception: Cooling down is optional if you feel fine. Correction: Cooling down prevents problems that might appear later
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter station times initially, clear physical boundaries, frequent positive reinforcement
dyspraxia
- Break down complex movements into smaller steps, allow extra practice time, provide physical support if needed
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of stations, quiet area available for breaks, consistent routine and structure
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured cones, provide verbal descriptions of all activities, buddy system for safety
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all exercises, written instruction cards at stations, visual timer signals
physical disability
- Adapt exercises for wheelchair users, modify intensity and duration, alternative scoring methods
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following complex instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for physical sensations
Maths
Recording and comparing scores, timing activities, measuring distances for stations
Science
Heart rate and circulation, muscle fatigue and recovery, energy systems in the body
PSHE
Perseverance and resilience, honest self-assessment, supporting others through challenges
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around stations continuously to observe all students, position centrally when explaining
Observation Focus
Monitor effort levels, technique maintenance, honest score recording, peer interactions
Intervention Points
Step in if technique becomes unsafe, if students are over-exerting, or if scoring becomes competitive rather than personal
Demonstration Notes
Use students to demonstrate good technique, show contrast between paced and rushed efforts, model honest self-assessment
Verbal Cues
- •'Pace yourself - this isn't a sprint!'
- •'Maintain good form even when tired!'
- •'Remember, we're working on stamina, not speed!'
- •'How does your heart rate feel now?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 25m x 25m area with clear boundaries and good surface
Surface Check
Ensure dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check cones are stable and visible
- •Ensure throwing objects are soft and appropriate
- •Verify measuring distances are accurate
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Over-exertion and exhaustion
- •Collision between students during movement
- •Poor landing technique during jumping
- •Dehydration during sustained activity
Risk Mitigation
- •Monitor for signs of over-exertion throughout
- •Ensure adequate spacing at all stations
- •Emphasise proper landing technique
- •Have water breaks available
- •Allow modifications for students struggling
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all stations simultaneously
- •Monitor high-intensity stations closely
- •Watch for technique deterioration with fatigue
- •Be alert to students pushing beyond safe limits
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, assess need for first aid, have emergency contact details accessible