AQA GCSE Physical Education Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025: Question 13

4 marks · Easy difficulty · Short Answer

Define reaction time and agility, and provide a sporting example for each.

Practise this question

Question

Question 13 is split into two parts. Question 13.1 asks to 'Define reaction time. Give a sporting example.' with blank lines provided for 'Reaction time' and 'Example', worth 2 marks. Question 13.2 asks to 'Define agility. Give a sporting example.' with blank lines provided for 'Agility' and 'Example', worth 2 marks.
Question text

13.1 Define reaction time.

Give a sporting example.

[2 marks]

Reaction time

Example

13.2 Define agility.

Give a sporting example.

[2 marks]

Agility

Example

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 13.1 and 13.2. For 13.1 (2 marks, AO1=1, AO2=1): AO1 defines reaction time as 'The time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus (1)'; AO2 examples include 'Returning a fast serve in tennis (1)' or 'Sprint start in a 100m race (1)'. For 13.2 (2 marks, AO1=1, AO2=1): AO1 defines agility as 'The ability to change direction quickly (1)'; AO2 examples include 'Dodging a player in netball (1)' or 'Dribbling around a defender in football (1)'.

13.1 Define reaction time.

Give a sporting example.

[2 marks]

Marks for this question: AO1 = 1, AO2 = 1

Award one mark for each of the following points up to a maximum of two marks

AO1

• Reaction time – The time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus (1)

AO2

• Returning a fast serve in tennis (1)

• Sprint start in a 100m race (1)

Accept any other suitable response.

Maximum 2 marks

13.2 Define agility.

Give a sporting example.

[2 marks]

Marks for this question: AO1 = 1, AO2 = 1

Award one mark for each of the following points up to a maximum of two marks

AO1

• The ability to change direction quickly (1)

AO2

• Dodging a player in netball (1)

• Dribbling around a defender in football (1)

Accept any other suitable response.

Maximum 2 marks

How to answer it

Components of Fitness: Reaction Time & Agility

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your core recall of definitions of fitness components (AO1) and your ability to link them directly to realistic sporting actions (AO2). You need exact wording for definitions and specific contexts—not just names of sports—for your examples.

Question 13.1 • 2 Marks

Part (a): Reaction Time

Define reaction time and provide a sporting example

✅ Model Answers

Definition [1 mark]:

  • "The time taken to initiate a response to a stimulus."

Sporting Example [1 mark]:

  • A sprinter pushing out of the blocks in response to the starter's gun in a 100m sprint.
  • A goalkeeper diving to save a penalty after the ball is struck.
  • A tennis player reacting quickly to return a fast serve.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Stimulus: The cue that triggers the action (e.g., sound of a gun, flight of a ball).
  • Response: The muscular action you take.
  • Reaction Time: Only the time taken to begin moving, not the time taken to complete the entire action.

🧠 Exam Technique

  • Split the marks: 1 mark is AO1 (pure definition), 1 mark is AO2 (applied example).
  • Name the action + sport: Never write just "tennis" or "running". You must describe what the performer is reacting to (e.g. "reacting to the gun in a 100m sprint").

❌ Common Errors

  • Writing "how fast you move" — that is speed, not reaction time!
  • Leaving out the word stimulus in the definition.
  • Giving vague examples like "catching a ball" without naming the sport or context.
Mark Allocation: 1 mark for AO1 (accurate definition), 1 mark for AO2 (appropriate sporting example). Maximum 2 marks.
Question 13.2 • 2 Marks

Part (b): Agility

Define agility and provide a sporting example

✅ Model Answers

Definition [1 mark]:

  • "The ability to change direction quickly." (or at speed, maintaining control).

Sporting Example [1 mark]:

  • Dodging a defender in netball to find open space.
  • Dribbling around an opponent in football.
  • Weaving through players when carrying the ball in rugby.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Agility combines both speed and coordination/balance.
  • A change in direction must happen at pace. Simply turning slowly is not demonstrating agility.
  • Most invasion games (football, rugby, basketball, netball) heavily depend on agility to evade opponents.

🧠 Exam Technique

  • Always include both core elements in your definition: change of direction AND speed/quickly.
  • For the AO2 mark, picture an exact game situation where a performer changes direction to beat a player or reach a target.

❌ Common Errors

  • Confusing agility with flexibility (e.g. stating "how supple your joints are").
  • Saying "moving fast" without mentioning changing direction.
  • Providing single-word examples like "rugby" or "gymnastics" without describing the movement.
Mark Allocation: 1 mark for AO1 (accurate definition), 1 mark for AO2 (appropriate sporting example). Maximum 2 marks.
Examiner Insights

How to Guarantee Full Marks on Definition Questions

📐 The Full-Mark Formula

  1. Memorise syllabus definitions word-for-word: AQA mark schemes use standardised phrasing. Learn key trigger words: stimulus for reaction time, change direction quickly for agility.
  2. Format of a great AO2 example:
    [Action] + [Purpose/Context] + [Sport]
    Example: "Dodging" + "an opponent" + "in netball".

Topics

3.1 The human body and movement in physical activity and sport · 3.1.3 Physical training

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physical Education examination, Paper 1: The human body and movement in physical activity and sport, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.