Chapter 6 – Health & Well-Being
This document contains every Cambridge IGCSE PE past paper question and mark-scheme since the
introduction of the latest syllabus in 2019.
1) The photograph shows young performers attending a school’s extra-curricular basketball club.
Flexibility and strength are two components of fitness that are important when playing basketball. Explain
how flexibility and strength can benefit a performer when playing basketball. (4)
Flexibility -
Strength -
2) Describe two possible benefits of joining an extra-curricular club for a performer’s social health and
well-being. (2)
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2-
3) The table shows rating information for some male and female performers who take the Multi-Stage
Abdominal Curl Conditioning Test.
a) State, using the table, the rating for a male who correctly completes 65 sit-ups during the test. (1)
b) Name and describe the component of fitness being tested during a Multi-Stage Abdominal Curl
Conditioning Test. (2)
Component of fitness -
Description -
4) Complete the table to show different physical activities, a key component of fitness required for the
physical activity and the name of a test that could be used to measure each component of fitness. (4)
5) Explain how three factors can affect a performer’s VO2 max. (3)
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6) Define the term fitness. (1)
7) Explain the relationship between health and fitness. (2)
8) Describe requirements for good mental health and well-being. (3)
9) The photograph shows elite cyclists during a professional road race such as the Tour de France.
This involves cycling on several days over long distances on both flat and mountainous roads. This requires
high levels of cardiovascular endurance.
Name three components of fitness, other than cardiovascular endurance, required by the cyclists in the
photograph and explain how each component benefits performance at an elite level. (6)
Component 1 -
Component 2 -
Component 3 -
10) Name and describe a fitness test for cardiovascular endurance. (3)
Name of test -
Description -
11) Suggest two reasons why a coach would regularly test the fitness of an elite performer. (2)
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12) Describe two requirements for good social health and well-being. (2)
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13) Describe how and where glucose is stored in the body. (1)
14) The diagram shows an elite gymnastics performer.
a) Name a component of fitness, other than strength, required by the performer in the diagram. (1)
b) Name and describe a recognised test for the component of fitness named in (a). (4)
Name of test
Description
c) Suggest two reasons for carrying out fitness tests on an elite performer. (2)
15) Define the term VO2 max. (1)
16) The diagrams show performers in three different athletic activities.
Identify which one of these activities generally requires the higher VO2 max. Give two reasons why this
activity requires a high VO2 max. (3)
Activity -
Reason 1 -
Reason 2 -
17) The photograph shows performers playing table tennis.
Describe how four different components of fitness can benefit a performer when playing table tennis. (4)
Component of fitness 1 -
Component of fitness 2 -
Component of fitness 3 -
Component of fitness 4 -
18) Describe how to carry out two named fitness tests. (6)
Name of test 1 -
Description -
Name of test 2 -
Description -
19) The table shows typical VO2max values for performers in different physical activities measured in
millilitres of oxygen per kilogram per minute.
a) Complete the bar chart using the information from the table. Complete both axes. (3)
b) Suggest a physical activity that might be represented by physical activity X. Give one reason for your
answer. (2)
Physical activity -
Reason -
c) Describe how factors can affect a performer’s VO2 max. (5)
20) State a different food source that is rich in each of the following nutrients: (3)
Carbohydrates -
Proteins -
Fats -
21) The photographs show a shot putter and a long-distance runner.
Suggest reasons why the performers shown in photographs A and B may have different diets. (6)
22) The table shows the distances (in metres) needed during a 12-Minute Cooper Run to achieve certain
standards.
a) Use the table to identify the standard achieved by each of the following performers in the 12-Minute
Cooper Run: (2)
A male who runs 2400 metres -
A female who runs 2000 metres -
b) Name the component of fitness measured by the 12-Minute Cooper Run. (1)
23) The Multi-Stage Fitness Test is another test that involves running. Describe how to carry out the
Multi-Stage Fitness Test. (4)
24) Describe a positive effect of regular exercise on a performer for each of the following: (3)
Physical health and well-being -
Mental health and well-being -
Social health and well-being -
25) The photograph shows a high jumper who requires power.
Name two components of fitness, other than power, that are required by a high jumper. Describe a
different benefit that each component provides for the high jumper. (4)
Component 1 -
Benefit -
Component 2 -
Benefit -
26) State two requirements for good social health and well-being. (2)
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2-
27) Speed is a component of fitness required by sprinters. Name a fitness test to measure speed and
describe how to carry out this test. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
28) Photograph A shows a shot putter and photograph B shows a long-distance runner.
Compare the nutrient requirements of an elite shot putter with the nutrient requirements of an elite
long-distance runner. (4)
29) Describe two factors, other than the type of activity, that affect the energy needs of a performer. (2)
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30) Explain different ways energy from food sources can be stored or released by the body. (4)
31) Name two features of mental health and well-being and describe how each feature helps when
participating in physical activity. (4)
Feature 1 -
Description -
Feature 1 -
Description -
32) State two factors that affect a performer’s VO2 max levels. (2)
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2-
33) The picture shows a gymnast holding a position on the rings.
Explain how two named components of fitness, other than strength, enable the gymnast to hold the
position. (4)
Component of fitness 1 -
Explanation -
Component of fitness 2 -
Explanation -
34) Name and describe one test to measure strength. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
35) Describe three reasons for regular fitness testing. (3)
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36) The photograph shows an athlete completing a marathon race.
Describe different benefits of two named nutrients, other than water, that enable the athlete to meet the
demands of the event. State a food source rich in each nutrient. (6)
Nutrient 1 -
Benefit -
Food source -
Nutrient 2 -
Benefit -
Food source -
37) All performers need to drink water regularly when involved in physical activity.
Suggest three physiological effects on the athlete of not drinking enough water during the race. (3)
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38) The photograph shows elite performers in a cycle race that lasted several hours. These performers need
high levels of cardiovascular endurance.
Name two other components of fitness needed by the performers shown in the photograph. Describe an
example of when each component might be used during the race. (4)
Component of fitness 1 -
Example -
Component of fitness 2 -
Example -
39) One feature of social health and well-being is that essential human needs are met.
Name two other features of a person’s social health and well-being and describe how each feature can
benefit a performer. (4)
Feature 1 -
Benefit -
Feature 2 -
Benefit -
40) State three features of mental health and well-being. (3)
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41) The diagrams show performers from two different physical activities. The gymnast is performing a
skill and the runners are maintaining a steady pace during a long-distance run.
Name two components of fitness required by both the gymnast and the runners. Justify the choice of each
fitness component for both types of performer. (6)
Component of fitness 1 -
Justification for gymnast -
Justification for runners -
Component of fitness 2 -
Justification for gymnast -
Justification for runners -
42) Name and describe two fitness tests. (8)
Name of test 1 -
Description -
Name of test 2 -
Description -
43) State the component of fitness that VO2 max indicates. (1)
44) Describe how three named factors may affect VO2 max. (6)
Factor 1 -
Description -
Factor 2 -
Description -
Factor 2 -
Description -
45) Describe what is meant by the term VO2 max. (2)
46) The table shows the VO2 max for some inactive people and for some performers in certain physical
activities.
a) Identify the individual with the highest VO2 max. (1)
Individual’s gender -
Individual’s activity -
b) Suggest one reason why the inactive individuals and the shot putters have similar VO2 max levels. (1)
47) State three factors, other than gender, that affect VO2 max levels. (3)
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48) Describe, using two examples, how taking part in regular physical activity can improve a person’s social
health and well-being. (2)
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49) State a different food source rich in each of the following nutrients: (3)
Carbohydrates -
Proteins -
Fats -
50) Suggest a physical activity that might require a performer to have a diet rich in protein. Describe three
examples of how having extra protein can benefit performance in this activity. (3)
Physical activity -
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51) State what happens to a performer when energy input exceeds energy output. (1)
52) A performer joins a running club to improve their fitness in preparation to run in a local long-distance
race. Before the performer takes part in a training programme a coach tests their cardiovascular
endurance.
a) Name and describe a test to measure the cardiovascular endurance of the performer. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
b) Suggest why the performer may also wish to improve their speed.
53) An untrained performer joins an athletics club to try and get fit to run in a long-distance race.
Name and describe a test a coach might use to assess the performer’s stamina. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
54) Explain three reasons why people may have different energy needs. (3)
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55) Describe two requirements for each of the following: (4)
Good mental health and well-being
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Good social health and well-being
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56) Carbohydrates are an important nutrient in a balanced diet.
State two other nutrients and describe a different function of each nutrient. (4)
nutrient 1 -
function -
nutrient 2 -
function -
57) Explain why different people may have different energy needs. (2)
58) The photograph shows a volleyball match. Volleyball players require coordination, power and
cardiovascular endurance/stamina.
Identify three components of fitness, other than coordination, power and cardiovascular
endurance/stamina, that would benefit a volleyball player. Describe an example of how each component is
used in a volleyball match. (6)
Component of fitness 1 -
Example -
Component of fitness 2 -
Example -
Component of fitness 3 -
Example -
59) The diagram shows an athlete performing a high jump. This requires power to be generated in the legs.
a) Define power. (1)
b) Describe how to carry out a named fitness test for power. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
60) Speed is a component of fitness.
a) Define speed. (1)
b) Describe how to carry out a named fitness test for speed. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
61) Describe two reasons, apart from monitoring improvement, why a coach would carry out fitness tests
on a performer. (2)
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62) Define VO2 max. (1)
63) Explain how three named factors can affect a performer’s VO2 max. (6)
Factor 1 -
Explanation -
Factor 2 -
Explanation -
Factor 3 -
Explanation –
64) The photograph shows a badminton match.
A coach wishes to improve the performance of a badminton player.
a) Describe a named test that the coach would use to assess the player’s agility. (4)
Name of test -
Description -
b) Explain the importance of three named components of fitness, other than agility, for a badminton player.
(6)
Component 1 -
Explanation -
Component 2 -
Explanation -
Component 3 -
Explanation -
65) Suggest three reasons why a coach might test a player’s fitness. (3)
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