Components of physical fitness for JSS 1

Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 12 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Motor skills development
Focal competence: Identify components of health and performance related to Physical Fitness and characteristics of physically fit person
Key competencies/values: Communication; ICT and Digital Competencies; Information literacy
Skills:

• Identifying characteristics of physical fitness

Previous Lesson: Meaning of physical fitness and Importance of physical fitness
Topic: Physical Fitness: Components Of Physical Fitness
Subject Matter: Components of physical fitness, Characteristics of physically fit person

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• identify the components of physical fitness;
• describe the characteristics of a physically fit person;
• state the characteristics of a physically fit person;
• discuss the components of physical fitness.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of physical fitness for overall well-being.

Psychomotor Domain

• Participate actively in discussions related to physical fitness.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers during group discussions on physical fitness components.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Physical and Health Education textbook for JSS 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Internet access (if available) or printed materials/charts showing components of physical fitness
• Posters/charts illustrating various physical activities
• Whiteboard or blackboard
• Markers or chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it introduces students to the fundamental aspects of physical fitness, which are crucial for maintaining good health and performing daily activities efficiently. Understanding these components helps students appreciate the benefits of regular exercise and develop a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. It also helps them identify what makes a person physically fit.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have a basic understanding of health and simple physical activities from their primary school Physical and Health Education lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Physical Fitness: Components Of Physical Fitness

Components of Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is the ability of the body to perform daily tasks efficiently and effectively without undue fatigue, and to have enough energy left for leisure activities and to meet emergencies. It is made up of several parts, which can be grouped into health-related and skill-related components.

Health-Related Components of Physical Fitness

These components are important for overall health and well-being, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting daily functional activities. They include:

1. Cardiovascular Endurance: The ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to deliver oxygen to working muscles during prolonged physical activity. Examples include running long distances, swimming, or cycling.
2. Muscular Strength: The maximum amount of force a muscle can exert in a single effort. Examples include lifting heavy weights or performing a single push-up.
3. Muscular Endurance: The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to perform repeated contractions or to hold a contraction for an extended period. Examples include doing multiple push-ups, sit-ups, or holding a plank.
4. Flexibility: The range of motion around a joint. It allows for free and easy movement. Examples include stretching, touching toes, or performing splits.
5. Body Composition: The proportion of fat and fat-free mass (muscle, bone, water) in the body. A healthy body composition usually means a lower percentage of body fat.

Skill-Related Components of Physical Fitness

These components are important for performance in sports and specific physical activities. They include:

1. Agility: The ability to change the position of the body quickly and accurately. Examples include dodging opponents in football or changing direction rapidly in basketball.
2. Balance: The ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary or moving. Examples include standing on one leg or walking on a narrow beam.
3. Coordination: The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently. Examples include hitting a tennis ball or dribbling a basketball.
4. Power: The ability to exert maximum force in the shortest possible time. It combines strength and speed. Examples include jumping, throwing, or sprinting.
5. Reaction Time: The time it takes to respond to a stimulus. Examples include reacting to a starting gun in a race or catching a ball.
6. Speed: The ability to perform a movement or cover a distance in a short period. Examples include sprinting a short distance or rapidly moving a limb.

Characteristics of a Physically Fit Person

A physically fit person demonstrates several qualities that indicate their body is functioning efficiently and effectively. These characteristics include:

1. Good Cardiovascular Health: They can perform prolonged physical activities without getting tired quickly, indicating a strong heart and lungs.
2. Strong Muscles: They have good muscular strength and endurance, allowing them to lift, push, pull, and carry objects with ease and perform repeated movements.
3. Good Flexibility: They have a wide range of motion in their joints, enabling them to bend, stretch, and move freely without stiffness or pain.
4. Healthy Body Composition: They maintain a healthy balance of muscle mass and body fat, which is important for overall health and energy levels.
5. High Energy Levels: They generally feel energetic and are less prone to fatigue, having enough energy for daily tasks and leisure.
6. Good Posture: They often have good posture due to strong core muscles, which helps prevent back pain and improves overall body alignment.
7. Quick Recovery: Their body recovers quickly after physical exertion.
8. Resistance to Illness: They tend to have a stronger immune system and are less susceptible to common illnesses.
9. Mental Alertness: Physical fitness also contributes to better mental clarity, focus, and reduced stress levels.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Group Work, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks questions like, “What activities do you do to stay strong?” or “Why is it good to be able to run without getting tired quickly?” The teacher then introduces the topic: Components of Physical Fitness.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the topic.

Learning Point: Importance of physical activity

Step 2: Explanation of Physical Fitness

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of physical fitness, giving simple examples of what a physically fit person can do.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Meaning of physical fitness

Step 3: Introduction to Components

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Introduction/Categorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the idea that physical fitness is made up of different parts, categorising them into health-related and skill-related components. The teacher can show relevant posters or charts.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the charts/posters and listen to the introduction of the components.

Learning Point: Types of fitness components

Step 4: Group Discussion on Components

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Facilitation/Guided Discovery

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups. Each group is given access to the internet (if available) or provided with printed materials/charts to search and discuss the different components of physical fitness (Activity 1). The teacher moves around to guide and support.

Pupils’ Activity: Students work in groups to identify and discuss the various components of physical fitness.

Learning Point: Identification of fitness components

Step 5: Whole Class Discussion on Components

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher brings the class together and facilitates a whole-class discussion where groups share their findings on the components of physical fitness. The teacher clarifies and elaborates on each component.

Pupils’ Activity: Group representatives present their findings, and other students contribute to the discussion.

Learning Point: Understanding fitness components

Step 6: Characteristics of a Physically Fit Person

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a whole-class discussion on the characteristics of a physically fit person (Activity 2), asking students to describe what a fit person looks like or can do. The teacher then summarises and explains these characteristics.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, sharing their ideas and listening to the teacher’s explanation.

Learning Point: Qualities of fit individuals

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Mention three health-related components of physical fitness.
2. State two skill-related components of physical fitness.
3. Describe two characteristics of a physically fit person.
4. Why is flexibility important for physical fitness?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Recall of fitness knowledge

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the components of physical fitness and characteristics of a physically fit person into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reminds students about the importance of understanding physical fitness components for a healthy and active life, encouraging them to engage in regular physical activities.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of physical fitness

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Project

Instruction: Answer the following questions and complete the project:

1. List all the health-related components of physical fitness.
2. Explain in your own words what “muscular endurance” means.
3. Identify two characteristics of a physically fit person you observe in athletes.
4. Project: Create a small poster or drawing illustrating one health-related and one skill-related component of physical fitness, showing an activity for each.

Lesson Keywords

• Physical fitness – The ability to perform daily tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Cardiovascular endurance – Ability of heart and lungs to supply oxygen during activity.
• Muscular strength – Maximum force a muscle can exert.
• Muscular endurance – Ability of muscles to perform repeated contractions.
• Flexibility – Range of motion around a joint.
• Body composition – Proportion of fat and fat-free mass in the body.
• Agility – Ability to change body position quickly.
• Balance – Ability to maintain equilibrium.
• Coordination – Ability to use body parts together smoothly.
• Power – Ability to exert force quickly.
• Reaction time – Time taken to respond to a stimulus.
• Speed – Ability to perform a movement quickly.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simplified definitions and more visual aids (pictures of activities) for each component. Encourage them to focus on identifying just the health-related components. For faster learners, challenge them to research specific exercises that develop each component of physical fitness and discuss how different sports require different combinations of these components.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for: components of physical fitness JSS 1

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have access to the internet or have printed out relevant information and images on the components of physical fitness. Prepare charts or posters to visually support the explanations. Begin by engaging students with questions about their daily physical activities to connect to prior knowledge. Guide the group discussion effectively, ensuring all students participate and understand the different components. During the whole-class discussion, clarify any misconceptions and reinforce correct understanding. Emphasise the practical relevance of each component and characteristic. When students are copying notes, ensure they do so accurately. Encourage students to think about how these components apply to their own lives and the sports they enjoy. Pay attention to students who might struggle with understanding abstract concepts by providing concrete examples and demonstrations.