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AQA GCSE Physical Education

Training methods and training seasons — AQA GCSE Physical Education revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 6 minutes to read.

Types of training method

  • Continuous training involves working at a steady, moderate intensity without rest, e.g. long-distance running, improving cardiovascular endurance.
  • Fartlek ('speed play') training varies pace and terrain during one session, mixing fast and slow sections, useful for games requiring changes of pace.
  • Interval training alternates periods of work and rest, with intensity, duration and rest ratios adjustable to target aerobic or anaerobic systems.
  • Circuit training uses a series of stations working different muscle groups or fitness components in rotation, good for all-round or sport-specific fitness.
  • Weight training uses resistance (free weights or machines) to build strength, power or muscular endurance depending on reps, sets and load.

Advantages, disadvantages and matching to sports

  • Continuous training is simple and needs little equipment but can be time-consuming and cause boredom (tedium) and doesn't develop speed/power.
  • Fartlek training is adaptable and enjoyable but intensity/effort can be hard to monitor and measure objectively.
  • Interval training can target specific energy systems precisely but requires discipline to keep to timings and can be very demanding.
  • Circuit training is time-efficient and easily adapted to a sport but needs space/equipment and set-up time.
  • Weight training builds specific strength/power but requires correct technique and supervision to avoid injury.

Key terms

Continuous training
Steady, moderate-intensity exercise without rest intervals.
Fartlek training
Varying pace and terrain within one training session.
Interval training
Alternating periods of work and rest of set duration/intensity.
Circuit training
A series of exercise stations completed in rotation.
Plyometric training
Explosive jumping/bounding exercises to build power.
HIIT
High-Intensity Interval Training — short intense bursts with brief recovery.

Common exam traps

  • Forgetting the MHR formula is 220 minus age, not age minus 220.
  • Confusing fartlek (continuous varied pace) with interval training (defined work/rest periods).
  • Thinking anaerobic training zone percentages are lower than aerobic — anaerobic is actually higher (80-90%).

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. Which training method varies the pace and terrain within a single session?

    • • Continuous
    • • Fartlek
    • • Circuit
    • • Weight

    Answer: Fartlek

    Fartlek means 'speed play' and mixes fast and slow sections.

  2. 2. Calculate the maximum heart rate for a 15-year-old.

    Answer: 205 bpm (220 − 15)

    MHR = 220 − age.

  3. 3. What is the typical aerobic training zone as a percentage of MHR?

    • • 40-50%
    • • 60-80%
    • • 80-90%
    • • 90-100%

    Answer: 60-80%

    The aerobic zone is usually 60-80% of maximum heart rate.

  4. 4. Which training method uses stations targeting different muscle groups or fitness components?

    • • Interval
    • • Circuit
    • • Continuous
    • • Fartlek

    Answer: Circuit

    Circuit training rotates performers around different exercise stations.

  5. 5. A 20-year-old wants to train anaerobically. Calculate their upper anaerobic heart rate threshold (90% of MHR).

    Answer: 180 bpm (MHR = 200, 90% of 200 = 180)

    MHR = 220 − 20 = 200; 200 × 0.9 = 180 bpm.

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