Lesson 1 - Heart Rate & Fitness Components
Fitness Fundamentals & Lifelong Health
•Year 9
•Health Related Fitness
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can understanding your heart rate help you optimise your fitness journey?
Learning Objectives
- To be able to accurately measure resting heart rate at different pulse points and understand its significance as a fitness indicator
- To identify and explain the components of fitness (both health-related and skill-related) and their importance in sport
- To understand and observe the short-term effects of physical activity on the cardiovascular system
Key Outcomes
- Students will accurately measure their heart rate using manual pulse palpation and heart rate monitors
- Students will categorise fitness components and explain their relevance to different sports and positions
- Students will analyse heart rate changes before, during and after exercise and explain the physiological reasons
Equipment & Resources Required
Ensure monitors are charged and straps are clean before lesson
Alternative: Smartphone apps with heart rate measurement, fitness watches
Check batteries and test functionality before use
Alternative: Smartphone timer apps, wall clock with second hand
Pre-prepared sheets with spaces for multiple heart rate recordings
Alternative: Clipboards with blank paper, tablet recording apps
Have spare writing materials available
Alternative: Digital recording devices, voice recordings
Equipment ready for quick transition to game application
Alternative: Football (1 per 6), netballs (1 per 8), basketballs (1 per 8)
Test audio levels and prepare motivational music playlist
Alternative: Portable bluetooth speaker, smartphone with speaker
Key Vocabulary
The number of times your heart beats per minute, measured in beats per minute (BPM)
The rhythmic beating felt in arteries as blood is pumped through them by the heart
Relating to the heart and blood vessels working together to transport oxygen around the body
The ability of muscles to work continuously without getting tired
The ability to maintain physical or mental effort for extended periods
The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently while maintaining control
The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently
The time taken to respond to a stimulus or signal
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of the heart as a muscle
- Experience of feeling heart beating faster during exercise
- Knowledge that exercise is good for health
Current Skills
- Manual pulse palpation techniques at carotid and radial sites
- Understanding of resting vs. exercise heart rate
- Identification of fitness components and their sporting applications
Next Steps
- Heart rate training zones and target heart rates
- Fitness testing protocols for different components
- Creating personalised training programmes based on fitness assessments
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Heart rate measurement requires gentle pressure and accurate counting - practice makes perfect
- Health-related fitness components (5 S's) are different from skill-related fitness components
- Heart rate increases during exercise are normal and healthy responses
- Different sports positions require different combinations of fitness components
- Proper cool-down helps heart rate return to normal safely
- Technology can help us understand our bodies but manual skills are still important
- Fitness knowledge helps us make better decisions about exercise and health
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: 'Higher heart rate is always dangerous' - Correction: Explain that increased heart rate during exercise is healthy and normal
- Misconception: 'All athletes need the same fitness components equally' - Correction: Different sports and positions emphasise different components
- Misconception: 'Heart rate monitors are always more accurate than manual measurement' - Correction: Both methods have value and small differences are normal
- Misconception: 'Fitness is only about being strong or fast' - Correction: Fitness has many components that all contribute to performance
- Misconception: 'You can stop exercising immediately after intense activity' - Correction: Gradual cool-down is important for safe heart rate recovery
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Short, varied activities, clear boundaries during games, regular positive feedback, movement breaks built into lesson structure
dyspraxia
- Extra practice time for heart rate measurement technique, simplified game rules, larger heart rate monitor displays if available
autism spectrum
- Clear structure with visual schedule, quiet area available for heart rate measurement, predictable routine and clear expectations
visual impairment
- Use heart rate monitors with audio feedback, clear verbal descriptions of pulse locations, buddy system for safety during movement activities
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all techniques, written instructions for heart rate measurement, hand signals during game activities
physical disability
- Modified heart rate measurement positions, adapted game rules for wheelchair users, alternative fitness component demonstrations
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Calculating heart rate per minute (15 seconds x 4), percentage increases from resting to exercise heart rate, data collection and analysis
Science
Cardiovascular system function, physiological responses to exercise, data recording and interpretation, understanding cause and effect relationships
PSHE
Understanding personal health and wellbeing, making informed decisions about exercise, goal setting for fitness improvement, teamwork and cooperation
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Position to observe all students during heart rate measurements, move actively during game application for optimal supervision
Observation Focus
Watch for correct heart rate measurement technique, understanding of fitness concepts, appropriate participation levels, and signs of over-exertion
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggle with heart rate measurement, show misconceptions about fitness components, or need support during game application
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate heart rate measurement on yourself first, use exaggerated movements to show fitness components clearly, maintain enthusiasm throughout to keep students engaged
Verbal Cues
- •'Gentle pressure when finding your pulse'
- •'Count steadily for the full 15 seconds'
- •'Think about which fitness components you're using right now'
- •'Notice how your heart rate changes with different activities'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 30m x 20m for game activities, additional space for warm-up and cool-down movements
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from hazards, appropriate for chosen team game
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Heart rate monitors checked for proper functioning and clean straps
- •Sports equipment appropriate for age group and in good condition
- •Stopwatches and recording materials safely positioned
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Over-exertion during heart rate monitoring
- •Collisions during team game activities
- •Improper heart rate monitor placement causing discomfort
- •Students becoming overly concerned about heart rate readings
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear explanation that heart rate increases are normal and healthy
- •Proper demonstration of heart rate monitor fitting
- •Appropriate game rules and boundaries to prevent collisions
- •Teacher monitoring of all students for signs of over-exertion
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all students during heart rate measurements
- •Monitor game area for safe play and appropriate exertion levels
- •Circulate during stretching to ensure proper technique
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if any student experiences discomfort, dizziness, or breathing difficulties. Follow school emergency procedures and seek appropriate medical assistance.