VCE Physical EducationUnits 1 and 2 – 2017-2021Units 3 and 4 – 2018-2021

Summary of changes to the study design

General changesThe new VCE Physical Education study design:

builds on the knowledge and skills developed in the Victorian Curriculum at years 9 and 10 reorganises content across the four units to ensure a connection between topics and a

logical sequence has brought content up to date with new and emerging research in fields of physical

education and sports science maintains the relationship between the theoretical and practical aspects of the study design

and reflects this in assessment addresses the issues identified by teachers relating to the difficulty in implementation of the

training program in Unit 4.

Specific changes

Unit 1: The human body in motion Unit 1 now has two Areas of Study:

i. Area of Study 1: How does the musculoskeletal system work to produce movement?ii. Area of Study 2: How does the cardiorespiratory system function at rest and during physical

activity?

Overlap with Unit 3 energy systems has been removed. Unit one contains content formerly in Unit 4 relating to legal and illegal substances and

methods used to enhance performance. This includes discussion of the ethical and sociocultural considerations in relation to their use.

The choice of two detailed studies (formerly Area of Study 3) has been removed.

Unit 2: Physical activity, sport and societyUnit 2 now has two Areas of Study:

i. Area of Study 1: What are the relationships between physical activity, sport, health and society?

ii. Area of Study 2: What are the contemporary issues associated with physical and sport?

Area of Study 1 has a focus on the promotion of physical activity, this combines content formerly in Unit 2 and Unit 3.

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Review of VCE Physical Education

Current technologies to monitor physical activity and sedentary behaviour such as accelerometers, fitness apps and activity trackers have been included.

A new Area of Study 2 which explores contemporary issues associated with physical activity and sport from a social-ecological perspective has been included.

The choice of two detailed studies (formerly Area of Study 3) has been removed.

Unit 3: Movement skills and energy for physical activityUnit 3 retains two Areas of Study:

i. Area of Study 1: How are movement skills improved?ii. Area of Study 2: How does the body produce energy?

Area of Study 1 contains content relating to biomechanics and skill acquisition, formerly in Units 1 and 2 respectively.

Contemporary approaches to skills acquisition have been included. The use of available technologies to analyse movement skills from a biomechanical

perspective has been included.

Area of Study 2 maintains a focus on the physiological requirements for physical activity and contains very few changes.

Unit 4: Training to improve performanceUnit 4 retains two Areas of Study:

i. Area of Study 1: What are the foundations of an effective training program?ii. Area of Study 2: How is training implemented to improve fitness?

The emphasis on training to improve fitness has been strengthened. New to Area of Study 1 is the purpose of fitness testing from physiological, psychological and

sociocultural perspectives New to Area of Study 2 are:

contemporary training methods such as high intensity interval training the use of technology to record training.

Content relating to the perceived benefits and potential harms of legal and illegal substances and methods of enhancing performance has been moved to Unit 1.

AssessmentOutcome statements in all areas of study across Units 1 to 4 have been altered to reflect the focus of the unit.

Units 1 and 2 outcome statements and assessmentOutcome Statements Assessment

Unit 1Area of Study 1Collect and analyse information from, and participate in, a variety of practical activities to explain how the musculoskeletal system functions and its limiting conditions, and evaluate the ethical and performance implications of the use of practices and substances that enhance human

The core assessment task for Outcomes 1 and 2 is: a written report analysing participation in at least four

physical activities that demonstrate how the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems work together to produce movement.

Additionally, at least one task for the assessment of each of Outcomes 1 and 2 is to be selected from the following:

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Review of VCE Physical Education

movement. a practical laboratory report linking key knowledge and key skills to a practical activity or practical activities

a case study analysis a data analysis a critically reflective folio/diary of participation in

practical activities a visual presentation such as a graphic organiser,

concept/mind map, annotated poster, presentation file a multimedia presentation, including two or more data

types (for example, text, still and moving images, sound) and involving some form of interaction or simulation

a physical simulation or model an oral presentation such as podcast, debate a written report structure questions.

Area of Study 2Collect and analyse information from, and participate in, a variety of practical activities to explain how the cardiovascular and respiratory systems function and the limiting conditions of each system, and discuss the ethical and performance implications of the use of practices and substances to enhance the performance of these two systems.

Unit 2Area of Study 1

Collect and analyse data related to individual and population levels of participation in physical activity and sedentary behaviour to create, undertake and evaluate an activity plan that meets the physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for an individual or a specific group.

The assessment task for Outcome 1 is: a written plan and a reflective folio demonstrating

participation in a program designed to either increase physical activity levels and/or reduce sedentary behaviour based on the physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for an individual or a selected group.

Area of Study 2

Apply a social-ecological framework to research, analyse and evaluate a contemporary issue associated with participation in physical activity and/or sport in a local, national or global setting.

Suitable tasks for assessment of Outcome 2 may be selected from the following: a visual presentation such as a graphic organiser,

concept/mind map, annotated poster, presentation file

a multimedia presentation, including two or more data types (for example, text, still and moving images, sound) and involving some form of interaction or simulation

an oral presentation a written report.

Unit 3 Outcome statements and assessmentOutcomes Marks Allocated Assessment tasksOutcome 1Collect and analyse information from, and participate in, a variety of practical activities to develop and refine movement skills from a coaching perspective, through the application of biomechanical and skill acquisition principles.

50

Structured questions that draw on primary data which analyses a movement skill using biomechanical and skill acquisition principles.

Outcome 2Use data collected in practical activitiesto analyse how the major body andenergy systems work together to enablemovements to occur, and explain the factorscausing fatigue and suitable recovery strategies.

25

A laboratory report based on primary data collected during participation in a practical activity, which analyses the relative contribution of energy systems and acute responses to exercise.

25 A response in one or more of the following forms, which focus on energy system interplay, fatigue and/or recovery.

• a practical laboratory report

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• a case study analysis• a data analysis• a critically reflective folio/diary

of participation in practical activities

• a visual presentation• a multimedia presentation• structured questions.

Total Marks 100

*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 25 per cent to the study score.

Unit 4 Outcome statements and assessmentOutcomes Marks Allocated Assessment tasks

Outcome 1Analyse data from an activity analysis and fitness tests to determine and assess the fitness components and energy system requirements of the activity.

30

A written report analysing data from an activity analysis to determine the relevant fitness components and energy system requirements in a selected activity, and including justification of the selection of appropriate tests to assess fitness.

Outcome 2Participate in a variety of training methods, and design and evaluate training programs to enhance specific fitness components.

25

A reflective folio of participation in a minimum of five different training sessions focusing on the components of the session, the training method completed and the implementation of training principles to the fitness components being trained.

25

A written report that will draw on the personal experiences recorded in the folio to design a six-week training program for a given case study.

20

A response in one or more of the following formats, which links chronic adaptations of the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems to training methods and improved performance:

• a case study analysis• a data analysis• structured questions.

Total Marks 100

*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 contributes 25 per cent to the study score.

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