Applied anatomy and physiology

This section of GCSE Physical Education contains presentations and guidance to help you teach applied anatomy and physiology. Although this forms Section C of the Edexcel syllabus, it is recommended that you begin teaching it at the start of the course, because it provides a good foundation for the work on exercise and training, and health and safety. See Teaching PE theory for an example scheme of work.

When teaching this material, the key word is ‘applied’. Knowing how to apply the material to real-life situations in sporting and other activities is at least as important as learning the material itself. For example, when you introduce the name of a muscle, you should give an example of a physical activity that uses that muscle as well as its name and location in the body. You can also reinforce students’ understanding during practical lessons by encouraging them to think about the muscles and other parts of the body they are using to perform any given activity.