IGCSE Physical Education 0413 · Topic 2

Health, fitness and training: past paper questions

237 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Describe, Suggest, Explain, Identify, Name

Real questions on health, fitness and training

The newest 20 of 237 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q1[3]
Identify a different nutrient that can provide each of the following functions: energy growth and repair
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q2[3]
Identify the three phases of a warm up.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[4]
Explain how the following components of fitness can benefit the performance of a swimmer in a front-crawl race: flexibility reaction time agility. muscular endurance
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
Strength is another component of fitness that can benefit a swimmer. Describe how to carry out a named fitness test to measure strength. name of test description
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[3]
Suggest three reasons for carrying out fitness tests on a performer.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(i)[2]
Describe two traditional differences between amateur and professional performers, other than funding.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a(ii)[3]
Explain how performers are able to fund their training and competitions while still maintaining their amateur status.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[6]
Both amateur and professional performers can take part in the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games is an example of a global event. Describe the advantages of being the host city for the Olympic Games.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(i)[3]
Identify the bones labelled A, B and C. A B
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[4]
Identify the muscles labelled D, E, F and G. F E D
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6b[2]
Muscle attachment for movement is one function of the skeleton. State two other functions of the skeleton.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q6c[1]
Describe the role of tendons.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[2]
Identify two other types of media coverage.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7b[2]
Suggest one benefit and one potential problem of radio coverage for the audience. benefit potential problem
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q8a(i)[1]
Identify the type of movement at the gymnast’s shoulder joints when moving from position A to position B.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10a(i)[1]
Explain why good cardiovascular endurance is needed by a cross-country runner.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10a(ii)[3]
Describe a named method of training used to improve a cross-country runner’s cardiovascular endurance. method of training description
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(i)[1]
Describe how blood doping could improve cardiovascular endurance.
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0413/12 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(ii)[3]
Describe how blood doping is carried out.
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0413/13 · October/November 2025 · Q2[4]
Describe the four aspects of good social health and well-being.
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What examiners said

This was generally answered well, candidates were able to identify the components of fitness, but some did not provide the benefits.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0413/11 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates gained credit for this question. Weaker candidates often gave the wrong test or were not able to describe the test to gain credit.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0413/11 Q2(b) (Cambridge)

This was answered well by the majority of candidates. Some weaker candidates were unable to identify appropriate exercise related to plyometrics.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0413/11 Q2(d) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Download 0413 papers

In the syllabus

1 0413.2.1.01 — all body systems working well.

all body systems working well.
free from illness / injury / disease.
able to carry out everyday tasks.
able to cope with stress.
can control emotions.
feeling good / self-esteem.
essential human needs are met.
friendship and support.
having value within society.
ability to mix with other people.

2 0413.2.1.02 — free from illness / injury / disease.

free from illness / injury / disease.

3 0413.2.1.03 — able to carry out everyday tasks.

able to carry out everyday tasks.

4 0413.2.1.04 — able to cope with stress.

able to cope with stress.

5 0413.2.1.05 — can control emotions.

can control emotions.

6 0413.2.1.06 — feeling good / self-esteem.

feeling good / self-esteem.

7 0413.2.1.07 — essential human needs are met.

essential human needs are met.

8 0413.2.1.08 — friendship and support.

friendship and support.

9 0413.2.1.09 — having value within society.

having value within society.

10 0413.2.1.10 — ability to mix with other people.

ability to mix with other people.

11 0413.2.2.01 — decreased fitness because of ill health, e.g. ill health can lead to an inability to train (lowering fitness).

decreased fitness because of ill health, e.g. ill health can lead to an inability to train (lowering fitness).
increased fitness despite ill health, e.g. unhealthy but able to train (increasing fitness).
live a healthy, active lifestyle.
eat a balanced diet.
maintain a level of fitness to help maintain health.
muscle cells release energy from glucose in a process called respiration.
some glucose is converted to glycogen and stored in the muscles and liver.
agility.
balance: static and dynamic.
cardiovascular endurance / stamina.
coordination.
flexibility.

12 0413.2.2.02 — increased fitness despite ill health, e.g. unhealthy but able to train (increasing fitness).

increased fitness despite ill health, e.g. unhealthy but able to train (increasing fitness).

13 0413.2.2.03 — live a healthy, active lifestyle.

live a healthy, active lifestyle.

14 0413.2.2.04 — eat a balanced diet.

eat a balanced diet.

15 0413.2.2.05 — maintain a level of fitness to help maintain health.

maintain a level of fitness to help maintain health.

16 0413.2.2.06 — muscle cells release energy from glucose in a process called respiration.

muscle cells release energy from glucose in a process called respiration.

17 0413.2.2.07 — some glucose is converted to glycogen and stored in the muscles and liver.

some glucose is converted to glycogen and stored in the muscles and liver.

18 0413.2.2.08 — agility.

agility.

19 0413.2.2.09 — balance: static and dynamic.

balance: static and dynamic.

20 0413.2.2.10 — cardiovascular endurance / stamina.

cardiovascular endurance / stamina.

21 0413.2.2.11 — coordination.

coordination.

22 0413.2.2.12 — flexibility.

flexibility.

23 0413.2.2.13 — muscular endurance.

muscular endurance.

24 0413.2.2.14 — power.

power.

25 0413.2.2.15 — reaction time.

reaction time.

26 0413.2.2.16 — speed.

speed.

27 0413.2.2.17 — strength.

strength.

28 0413.2.2.18 — cardiovascular endurance / stamina (Multi-Stage Fitness Test / 12-Minute Cooper Run).

cardiovascular endurance / stamina (Multi-Stage Fitness Test / 12-Minute Cooper Run).

29 0413.2.2.19 — flexibility (Sit and Reach Test).

flexibility (Sit and Reach Test).

30 0413.2.2.20 — muscular endurance (Multi-Stage Abdominal Curl Conditioning Test).

muscular endurance (Multi-Stage Abdominal Curl Conditioning Test).

31 0413.2.2.21 — power (Vertical Jump Test).

power (Vertical Jump Test).

32 0413.2.2.22 — speed (30-Metre Sprint Test).

speed (30-Metre Sprint Test).

33 0413.2.2.23 — strength (1 Rep Max Test / Hand Grip Dynamometer Test).

strength (1 Rep Max Test / Hand Grip Dynamometer Test).

34 0413.2.2.24 — agility (Illinois Agility Test).

agility (Illinois Agility Test).

35 0413.2.2.25 — balance: static and dynamic (Standing Stork Test – static).

balance: static and dynamic (Standing Stork Test – static).

36 0413.2.2.26 — coordination (Anderson Wall Toss Coordination Test).

coordination (Anderson Wall Toss Coordination Test).

37 0413.2.2.27 — reaction time (Ruler Drop Test).

reaction time (Ruler Drop Test).

38 0413.2.2.28 — suitability for different physical activities.

suitability for different physical activities.

39 0413.2.2.29 — identifying strengths and weaknesses.

identifying strengths and weaknesses.

40 0413.2.2.30 — monitoring improvement.

monitoring improvement.

41 0413.2.2.31 — comparison to others.

comparison to others.

42 0413.2.2.32 — informing the design of a training programme.

informing the design of a training programme.

43 0413.2.2.33 — motivation.

motivation.

44 0413.2.2.34 — gender.

gender.

45 0413.2.2.35 — genetics.

genetics.

46 0413.2.2.36 — lifestyle.

lifestyle.

47 0413.2.2.37 — training.

training.

48 0413.2.2.38 — Specificity.

Specificity.

49 0413.2.2.39 — Progression.

Progression.

50 0413.2.2.40 — Overload.

Overload.

51 0413.2.2.41 — Reversibility.

Reversibility.

52 0413.2.2.42 — Tedium.

Tedium.

53 0413.2.2.43 — Frequency.

Frequency.

54 0413.2.2.44 — Intensity.

Intensity.

55 0413.2.2.45 — Type (method of training).

Type (method of training).

56 0413.2.2.46 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

57 0413.2.2.47 — methods to use – run, swim, cycle, row.

methods to use – run, swim, cycle, row.

58 0413.2.2.48 — calculating a suitable intensity for aerobic gains – 60–80% of maximal heart rate.

calculating a suitable intensity for aerobic gains – 60–80% of maximal heart rate.

59 0413.2.2.49 — safety considerations, e.g. footwear.

safety considerations, e.g. footwear.

60 0413.2.2.50 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

61 0413.2.2.51 — methods to use (isotonically) – free weights, kettle bells, resistance machines.

methods to use (isotonically) – free weights, kettle bells, resistance machines.

62 0413.2.2.52 — use of one rep. max. to calculate suitable intensity.

use of one rep. max. to calculate suitable intensity.

63 0413.2.2.53 — safety considerations, e.g. spotter.

safety considerations, e.g. spotter.

64 0413.2.2.54 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

65 0413.2.2.55 — methods to use – running, cycling (variation of speed and terrain), etc.

methods to use – running, cycling (variation of speed and terrain), etc.

66 0413.2.2.56 — use of Borg scale to measure intensity.

use of Borg scale to measure intensity.

67 0413.2.2.57 — safety considerations, e.g. equipment checks.

safety considerations, e.g. equipment checks.

68 0413.2.2.58 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

69 0413.2.2.59 — links to improvement in power.

links to improvement in power.

70 0413.2.2.60 — methods to use, e.g. depth jumping, hurdle jumps.

methods to use, e.g. depth jumping, hurdle jumps.

71 0413.2.2.61 — safety considerations, e.g. injury prevention.

safety considerations, e.g. injury prevention.

72 0413.2.2.62 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

73 0413.2.2.63 — stations can be assigned to improve different components of fitness.

stations can be assigned to improve different components of fitness.

74 0413.2.2.64 — periods of work and rest that can be manipulated for different gains.

periods of work and rest that can be manipulated for different gains.

75 0413.2.2.65 — safety considerations, e.g. equipment.

safety considerations, e.g. equipment.

76 0413.2.2.66 — advantages and disadvantages.

advantages and disadvantages.

77 0413.2.2.67 — periods of work and rest that can be manipulated for different gains.

periods of work and rest that can be manipulated for different gains.

78 0413.2.2.68 — reasons for the period of rest – removal of waste products.

reasons for the period of rest – removal of waste products.

79 0413.2.2.69 — safety considerations, e.g. risk of overexertion.

safety considerations, e.g. risk of overexertion.

80 0413.2.2.70 — increase in red blood cell count.

increase in red blood cell count.

81 0413.2.2.71 — advantages with link to endurance activities.

advantages with link to endurance activities.

82 0413.2.2.72 — disadvantages with link to difficulties in completing the training.

disadvantages with link to difficulties in completing the training.

83 0413.2.2.73 — warm up – pulse raiser, stretches, familiarisation / skill-related activities.

warm up – pulse raiser, stretches, familiarisation / skill-related activities.

84 0413.2.2.74 — cool down – gradual decrease in pulse, stretches.

cool down – gradual decrease in pulse, stretches.

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