Exercise: Lesson resources

NARRATOR:
MaleFor this investigation, you will need paper-based tests, stopwatch, audio equipment, distance-measuring equipment, tape, chalk or playground cone markers and recording sheets for the bleep test. To carry out the paper-based tests, please see the teacher resource and student worksheets…Necessary audio files are available for download from the Terrific Scientific website. Thisexercise investigation consists of three physical activities. Each activity must be completed on a different day. Other than that, you're free to choose the order and on which days the activities are performed. On each day, you'll complete paper-based memory and attention tasks, plus mood questions before and after physical activity. These are paper-based tasks…Once thepaper-based tasks have been completed by all pupils, you should immediately carry out one of the three physical activities. All activities must take place during lesson time and outside. The investigation cannot be done in the school hall. If you carry out the activities indoors, the results are invalid. Each activity must be completed on a different day. You're free to choose theorder and on which days you do the activity. Now scroll down and click on one of the three links to find out how to perform today's chosen physical activity.

NARRATOR:
Activity One. This is a 15 minute walk or run outside. You do not need to change into your PE kit. Before you go outside, you must complete the paper-based questions and tasks. This should take around 15 minutes. Choose an appropriate start line and gather round it. Once everyone is ready, off you go.

Woman in spotted dress:
Three, two, one, go!

NARRATOR:
Your teacher should use a stopwatch to measure 15 minutes. This is not a race or a competition. It is meant to be fun. You're free to run, walk or do a combination of both. However, you should run if you can. Once the 15 minutes are up, your teacher will tell you to stop, but you are allowed to finish the lap you're on.

Woman in spotted dress:
15 minutes, finish the lap that you're on!

NARRATOR:
Once everyone has finished, return to the classroom to complete the paper-based questions and tasks again immediately.

NARRATOR:
Activity two. This is a shuttle run commonly known as the bleep test, and should be done outside. Before you go outside, you must complete the paper-based questions and tasks. This should take around 15 minutes. The whole class can carry out this activity at the same time by splitting into pairs. Each pair has one recorder and one runner. Create the running area on a suitableflat surface. Avoid lumps and bumps, puddles and trip hazards where possible. First you need to mark a start line. Lines can be made with tape, chalk or with cones. Next, mark the length of the course. It needs to be a straight run of exactly 20 metres. Each 20 metre run is called a shuttle. A shuttle must be straight and cannot be split into two ten-metre runs. Markanother line at 20 metres, parallel to the start line. Lines should be long enough for all the runners to stand on comfortably, side-by-side. The recorder stands at one end of the course with a clear view of the runner. Make sure the recorder has a recording sheet and a pen to mark the scores. Your teacher will start the bleep test audio to begin the test. This audio can be downloadedfrom the website. The runners should run continuously back and forth between the two lines in time with the bleeps. Each single length counts as one complete 20 metre shuttle. The runners should aim to reach the target line at the bleep, not before or after. The recorder should make sure the runner reaches the line and isn't cheating or rushing. This is not a race andthere are no winners or losers. It's also important to remember that this investigation isn't about running as fast as you can. It's about endurance. As the test progresses, the intervals between the bleeps decreases, forcing the runner to increase their speed to keep up. Moving up a speed level is marked by this sound. Continue running when you hear it. If the line is reached beforethe bleep, the runner must not start to run for the other line until after the bleep sounds. The runner continues with the test until they can't reach the target line in two consecutive tries before the bleep sounds. The last successfully completed shuttle is the one recorded. You should take a short break to catch your breath, and then the runners and recorders swap rolesand repeat the test…As soon as the whole class has finished the bleep test, complete the paper-based questions and tasks again immediately.

NARRATOR:
Activity three. The control. This is to test how your brain performs when there is no physical activity at all. Before you go outside, you must complete the paper-based questions and tasks. This should take around 15 minutes. For this activity, you must go outside and relax by sitting or standing for 15 minutes. You're allowed to talk and chat but there must be no physical activityso no playing games or even reading. Once the 15 minutes is over, return to the classroom to immediately complete the paper-based questions and tasks again.