Physical Activity & Wellbeing (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))
Revision Note
Author
Emma ArchboldExpertise
Biology
Linking Physical Activity to Wellbeing
Participating in exercise and sporting activities can improve your physical health, wellbeing, as well as your overall fitness
A person's wellbeing includes their mental health and happiness, their comfort, and whether they feel fulfilment in their life
We can breakdown the benefits of physical activity into three different categories:
Physical health and wellbeing
Physical health is not just muscle strength and athletic performance
Cardiovascular health relates to the health of the heart and blood vessels
Physical activity increases cardiovascular health, particularly aerobic exercises such as running, swimming and cycling
Having good cardiovascular health reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease which includes problems like blood clots/blockages that lead to heart attacks and strokes
Other body systems can also increase in efficiency, such as the musculoskeletal system
It reduces the risk of some lifestyle-related diseases, such as type II diabetes
Having good physical health makes day-to-day household tasks easier, such as walking up stairs, childcare, and carrying heavy items
People with poor physical health may experience pain or breathlessness from these activities
High fitness from physical activities also reduces the chance of injury from day-to-day activities and can improve the experience of having a physical job, such as manual labour or standing up all day for work
There is a reduced risk of obesity, which can significantly decrease physical health and therefore wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing
Mental health does not just include severe conditions like anxiety or depression, but also overall happiness and emotional wellbeing
Participating in physical activities has a positive effect on mental health
It helps to relieve stress and tension by clearing and focusing the mind
It triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that cause a happy 'feel-good' sensation, such as the hormone serotonin
It helps people to regulate and control their emotions
Social health and wellbeing
A person with high social health includes:
All of their basic needs are met and considered safe, this includes housing, nutrition and clothing
They have a support system of friends and/or family and have emotional needs met through their interactions with them
They are capable of forming meaningful relationships with others without experiencing stress or anxiety in social settings
Participating in physical activities increases social health by providing opportunities to meet new people with shared interests
This is particularly the case for team sports where groups of people gain a strong connection by needing to work together towards a common goal
Gaining skills like strong communication and good cooperation helps to improve sporting outcomes, but these skills can also be applied to other areas of life, such as school or the workplace
Community and mental health diagram
A community of people supporting a friend with poor mental health. Being part of a sporting community provides opportunities to receive support.
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