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Physical Education

How Strong Are You?

Overview

Students complete a series of strength-based tests, recording results and setting an improvement target.

Learning Objective
Students measure their muscular strength and endurance, and understand what the results indicate.

Resources needed

  • Flat floor space
  • Paper and pencil to record

Lesson stages

0 / 8 done
  1. 1 Explain the difference between muscular strength and muscular endurance.
  2. 2 Test 1: maximum push-ups in one set — count and record.
  3. 3 Test 2: wall sit — hold until failure, count seconds.
  4. 4 Test 3: maximum squats in 30 seconds — count and record.
  5. 5 Test 4: plank hold — count seconds until form breaks.
  6. 6 Rest between tests.
  7. 7 Discuss results: which muscle groups are strongest? Weakest?
  8. 8 Each student sets one strength target for the next four weeks.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Compare results between dominant and non-dominant sides.
  • Retest after four weeks of training.
  • Students design a training plan to improve their weakest result.
More information

Teach: muscular strength, endurance, maximum, hold, failure, target. Key distinction: strength = how much, endurance = how long.

Knee push-ups and chair squats for students who need modified versions. Every student can participate at their own level.

Are students recording honestly? Can they explain the difference between the strength and endurance tests?

All tests use body weight only. No equipment needed. Results can be spoken rather than written.

Students think more repetitions always means more strength. Clarify: fast, sloppy reps measure less than slow, controlled ones. Quality determines the result.

Differentiating strength from endurance is a key fitness literacy concept. Students who understand this design better training programmes.

Activity details
Primary Medium 25 minutes 5 minutes prep Pairs, Whole Class Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Strength Testing Measurement Fitness