Exercise
& fitness
Agility, balance and coordination
Agility, balance and coordination are three components of SKILL-RELATED FITNESS. You need
to know the effects they will have on your ability to carry out different physical activities.
Agility
Balance
Agility has two components:
1. The ability to CHANGE DIRECTION.
2.The ability to do so QUICKLY.
It is used by performers that need to dodge
to avoid others, for example netball players,
basketball players and rugby players.
Balance is used in all activities. There are
some activities where balance is especially
important. Here are two examples:
• a gymnast uses balance during a
handstand to hold his position still
• a discus thrower uses balance as she
releases the discus to stay in the
throwing circle
For any aspect of SKILL-RELATED FITNESS,
remember to say WHO uses it, HOW they
use it, and WHY.
Describing agility
Describe agility as the ability to change
DIRECTION quickly, not POSITION.
*
A
A
B
C
D
Coordination
Figure 1 shows a woman doing
yoga as a form of exerise.
target
D
Which of the following components of fitness
is skill-related and the most important in this
yoga pose?
(1 mark)
ABalance
BCoordination
C Body composition
DStrength
activity,
All the components are used in this
important.
but you need to choose the most
Coordination is important in all activities.
Here are three types of coordination:
• HAND-EYE, would be needed by a tennis
player (to toss the ball and make contact
when serving).
• FOOT-EYE, would be needed by a football
player (to watch the ball onto her foot
when receiving a pass).
• HAND-HAND, would be needed by a
basketball player (to switch hands when
dribbling the ball).
You need to make sure it is clear which body
parts are working together.
If an exam question talks about, or shows a picture
of a specific activity, you will need to apply your
answer to this activity.
This was a real exam question that a lot of
students struggled with - be prepared!
target
C
(4 marks)
Draft - subject to review
Explain how each of the following performers use coordination in their activities:
(a) A golfer taking a putt
(b)A javelin thrower in their run-up
(c) A swimmer during a 100 m butterfly race
(d)A sprinter running the final leg of a relay race
3