OCR GCSE Physical Education sample questions and answers (J587)
Guide overview All 6 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
29 sample questions and answers
Taken from every topic of OCR GCSE Physical Education, specification J587. The full guide has 496.
J587/01
Applied Anatomy and Physiology
126 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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Bones and functions of the skeleton
Which bones form the wrist, the hand and the fingers?
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The carpals are the small bones of the wrist. The metacarpals form the palm. The phalanges are the bones of the fingers. -
Synovial joints and the movements they allow
Which movements can happen at a hinge joint?
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A hinge joint allows only flexion and extension. The bones move back and forth in one plane, like a door on its hinge. -
Major muscle groups and antagonistic pairs
Where are the triceps, and what movement do they cause?
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The triceps are at the back of the upper arm. The triceps extend the elbow, as in the upward phase of a press-up or a netball chest pass. -
The cardiovascular system
Why are capillaries suited to exchanging gases with the muscles?
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Capillary walls are only one cell thick, so oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse through them quickly. Capillaries form a dense network close to every muscle fibre. -
The respiratory system and gas exchange
Explain how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged at the alveoli.
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Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli, where its concentration is high, into the blood in the capillaries. Carbon dioxide diffuses the other way, from the blood into the alveoli to be breathed out.
J587/01
Movement Analysis
32 questions in the guide, across 2 subtopics. More from this topic
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Lever systems and mechanical advantage
Explain how the ankle acts as a second class lever when a sprinter pushes off the blocks.
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The fulcrum is the ball of the foot and the load is the body's weight acting through the ankle. The effort comes from the gastrocnemius pulling on the heel through the Achilles tendon. -
Lever systems and mechanical advantage
Why does a second class lever always give a mechanical advantage?
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The load always sits between the fulcrum and the effort, so the effort arm is always longer than the resistance arm. A heavy load such as the whole body can be lifted with relatively little effort. -
Planes and axes of movement
Where is the frontal axis?
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The frontal axis runs horizontally from the front to the back of the body. Movements in the frontal plane, such as a cartwheel, turn about the frontal axis. -
Planes and axes of movement
In which plane does the leg move when a footballer kicks a ball straight ahead?
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The kicking leg moves in the sagittal plane. The hip and knee flex and extend about the transverse axis.
J587/01
Physical Training
130 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic
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Components of fitness
Define strength.
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Strength is the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to exert force against a resistance. -
Fitness tests and fitness data
How does the grip strength dynamometer test measure strength?
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The performer squeezes the dynamometer handle as hard as possible with the stronger hand. The best reading in kilograms from three attempts is recorded. -
Collecting and presenting data
Give one strength and one weakness of quantitative data.
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Quantitative data is easy to compare and to present in graphs and tables. Quantitative data does not explain why a result happened, such as why a player's bleep test score fell. -
Principles of training
Define overload.
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Overload means making the body work harder than it normally does, so that it adapts and fitness improves. -
FITT and training zones
How could a cyclist use FITT to apply overload?
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The cyclist could add an extra session each week or ride at a faster pace. Longer rides would increase the time element of overload.
J587/02
Socio-Cultural Influences
70 questions in the guide, across 5 subtopics. More from this topic
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Participation in physical activity and sport
How can ethnicity, religion and culture affect participation?
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Religious festivals, days of worship and dress codes can clash with some activities. Discrimination or a lack of role models from the same background can also discourage people. -
Participation in physical activity and sport
How can promotion be used to improve participation?
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Promotion means advertising and campaigns that encourage people to be active. Sport England's This Girl Can campaign aimed to encourage women and girls to exercise. -
Participation trends in England
How did activity levels differ by ethnicity in Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey for 2024-25?
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Black adults (57.2%) and Asian adults (56.3%) were less likely to be active than White adults. -
Participation trends in England
What was the trend in swimming and team sports among adults in England in Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey for 2024-25?
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Swimming (4.4 million adults) and team sports such as football, cricket and netball (3.5 million) stayed below their levels before the Covid-19 pandemic. Participation in both has been largely stable over the past two to three years. -
Commercialisation, the media and sponsorship
How has social media changed the commercialisation of sport?
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Performers and clubs can reach fans directly and promote sponsors' products to them. A performer with many followers is more valuable to a sponsor.
J587/02
Sports Psychology
73 questions in the guide, across 5 subtopics. More from this topic
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Skilful movement and the classification of skills
What does aesthetic mean in skilful movement?
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An aesthetic movement looks pleasing and controlled. A gymnast's routine is judged partly on how it looks. -
Skilful movement and the classification of skills
What is a closed skill?
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A closed skill is performed in a stable, predictable environment. A free throw in basketball is closed because it is taken the same way each time. -
Goal setting and SMART targets
What does SMART stand for in OCR's principle of goal setting?
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SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Recorded and Timed. Each principle makes a goal more effective. -
Goal setting and SMART targets
Give an example of a SMART goal for a 100 m sprinter.
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The sprinter could aim to cut their best time from 12.5 to 12.3 seconds within eight weeks. Each session's times would be recorded to track progress. -
Mental preparation
How can mental rehearsal improve performance?
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Mental rehearsal helps the performer remember the sequence of a skill. Mental rehearsal also builds confidence that the skill will succeed.
J587/02
Health, Fitness and Well-Being
65 questions in the guide, across 4 subtopics. More from this topic
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Health, fitness and the physical benefits of exercise
How does regular physical activity reduce the risk of coronary heart disease?
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Regular activity helps keep blood cholesterol low and the coronary arteries clear of fatty deposits. The heart muscle also grows stronger. -
Health, fitness and the physical benefits of exercise
How can physical activity improve posture?
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Activity strengthens the core and back muscles that hold the spine in position. Good posture reduces back pain and the risk of injury. -
Emotional and social benefits of activity
What is meant by a sense of belonging to a group?
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Belonging means feeling accepted as part of a team or club with a shared identity. Members support each other and work towards common goals. -
Emotional and social benefits of activity
Why might swimming or walking suit an older adult better than rugby?
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Swimming and walking are low-impact activities that put little stress on the joints. Older adults can gain fitness and social contact with a low risk of injury. -
Components of a balanced diet
Why does a weightlifter need more protein than an inactive person?
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Heavy training causes tiny tears in muscle fibres, which protein helps to repair. Extra protein also supports the growth of larger, stronger muscles.
OCR GCSE Physical Education Active Recall Guide
The other 467 questions, with the answers printed after each section.