IGCSE Physical Education (9–1) 0995 · Topic 2

Health, fitness and training: past paper questions

44 real questionsasked in 8 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Describe, Explain, Suggest, Identify, State

Real questions on health, fitness and training

The newest 20 of 44 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[3]
Explain how the following components of fitness may benefit the performer throwing the discus.
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0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[3]
Weight training can improve a discus thrower’s strength. Describe three safety considerations a performer should follow when taking part in weight training.
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0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(i)[4]
(c) (i) Describe how a recognised test for strength should be carried out. NAME CESK .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... COSCTIPTION «2.2 .......... ..........
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0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q2c(ii)[2]
(ii) Other than monitoring improvement, describe two benefits of regular fitness testing for a performer. .......... .......... .......... 2.
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0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[3]
(b) The photograph shows a local youth football team who have a sponsor’s name on their shirts. Suggest advantages for a sponsor when sponsoring a local youth football team. Overload and specificity are two principles of training. (a) Explain how a performer training for a named physical activity could apply two other...
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0995/12 · May/June 2026 · Q14a[4]
(a) Other than agreed and recorded, describe how the target meets two of the named SMARTER principles of goal setting. .......... (-X<Ye1 (0), .......... [ed a ¢]| ©) (<a (-X<Ye1 (0), ..........
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(ii)[1]
Suggest why the energy needs of males and females may differ.
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[2]
Sprint hurdling requires various components of fitness. Describe each of the following: power muscular endurance. (a) (i)
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[4]
Describe how to carry out a named recognised test to measure a performer’s muscular endurance. name of test description
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[4]
Explain why two named components of fitness, other than power and muscular endurance, are important for a sprint hurdler. component of fitness explanation explanation component of fitness
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9a[3]
Describe three physical benefits that a performer could gain from regular weight training.
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[6]
Using examples, explain how three named principles of overload can be applied to a weight training programme. principle explanation principle principle explanation explanation
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q10a[4]
Describe two features of each of the following aspects of good health and well-being as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO): mental health and well-being social health and well-being.
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0995/12 · May/June 2025 · Q10b[2]
Explain the relationship between health and fitness.
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0995/11 · October/November 2024 · Q8a[1]
Identify the scale that a performer can use to measure the intensity of their fartlek training.
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0995/11 · October/November 2024 · Q9a[1]
Identify the method of training being used in the diagram.
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0995/11 · October/November 2024 · Q9c[4]
Describe two different advantages and two different disadvantages of the method of training being used in the diagram. advantage advantage disadvantage disadvantage
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0995/11 · October/November 2024 · Q11[3]
For each of the following, identify the most suitable level of the sports development pyramid: a hockey player representing their country in the Olympic Games a young child who has never played badminton before taking part in a fun community session a gymnast regularly competing for their local club.
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0995/11 · October/November 2023 · Q2a[2]
Identify one aspect of health and well-being that may be difficult to improve while participating in an individual sport. Justify your answer. aspect of health and well-being justification
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0995/11 · October/November 2023 · Q2b[1]
Complete the following definition of fitness. The ability to cope with (or meet) the demands of the .
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What examiners said

The majority of candidates were able to correctly identify the reasons why males require more energy. A common error was to describe the reason for more energy as being stronger or having more muscles.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0995/12 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)

Answers needed to describe that power required strength movements to be completed at speed. Many candidates gave either strength or speed but did not link the two factors. Answers relating to muscular endurance needed to state that muscles needed to work over a long period of time without tiring. Some candidates gained only partial credit here.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0995/12 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)

There was considerable confusion over tests for muscular endurance with tests for cardiovascular endurance/stamina given. Those candidates who identified the test named in the syllabus often included time limits rather than stating that it is a maximal test. Some candidates named a test that related to muscular endurance, but they were not recognised or standardised so could not be accepted as app...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0995/12 Q6(a)(ii) (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.

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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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