Physical, Mental and Social Health Benefits
The three kinds of benefit that come from an active life: physical benefits to the body such as a stronger heart, mental benefits to the mind such as less stress and the mood-lifting release of serotonin, and social benefits such as friendship and teamwork. Learn to sort any benefit into the right group.
Justify the choices, the way you are assessed
Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
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Why being active is good for you
Taking part in sport and exercise does far more than keep you fit. The benefits fall into three groups. Physical benefits are the changes to your body, such as a stronger heart and a healthy weight. Mental benefits are the changes to how you feel and think, such as less stress and a better mood. Social benefits are the good things that come from being around other people, such as making friends and working in a team. This module teaches the three groups and how to sort any benefit into the right one.
Benefit words to know
Learn these before you sort any benefit. The exam wants you to place each benefit in the correct group and to name the mood chemical precisely.
Three groups of benefit
Every benefit of activity fits one of these three groups. The trickiest line is between mental and social, so remember that mental benefits happen inside one person mind while social benefits happen between people.
How to place a benefit
To sort a benefit, ask what it mainly improves. If it changes the body, such as the heart, muscles or weight, it is physical. If it changes how the person feels or thinks, such as mood or stress, it is mental. If it comes from being with other people, such as friendship or teamwork, it is social. When you name the mood benefit, name serotonin exactly rather than saying chemicals are released.
Match the benefit to its result
- a physical benefit to the heart
- a mental benefit to the mind
- a social benefit from others
- a physical benefit to the muscles
- the heart grows stronger and pumps more efficiently
- stress falls and the mood is lifted
- new friendships and a sense of belonging
- muscles grow stronger for everyday tasks
Which chemical lifts the mood?
Exercise triggers the release of a chemical that improves mood and reduces stress. Which one should you name in the exam?
- Serotonin, released during exercise, which lifts the mood.
- Calcium, which is stored in the bones.
- Lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles.
- Oxygen, which is breathed into the lungs.
Pick the physical benefits
Select the TWO benefits that are physical benefits to the body.
- A stronger, more efficient heart
- A lower risk of illness
- Making new friends at a club
- Feeling happier and less stressed
Work out the maximum heart rate
A performer wants to know how hard the heart can beat. The maximum heart rate is found by taking the age away from 220. The performer is 15 years old. Subtract to find the maximum heart rate in beats per minute. What is the answer?
Order how the heart gets stronger
Put the steps by which regular exercise brings a physical benefit to the heart in order, earliest first.
- A person begins to exercise regularly
- The heart has to work harder each session
- Over weeks the heart muscle grows stronger
- The resting heart rate falls because the heart is more efficient
Complete the benefit facts
A stronger heart and a healthy weight are _____ benefits. Less stress and a better mood are _____ benefits, and the mood is lifted by a chemical called _____. Making friends and working in a team are _____ benefits that come from being with other people.
Match the example to its result
- joining a hockey club as a newcomer to a town
- training hard for several months
- going for a run after a stressful day
- playing a full season in a match team
- a group of new friends and a sense of belonging
- lungs that take in oxygen more efficiently
- a calmer mind and better sleep that night
- the skill of cooperating with teammates
Spot the true benefit facts
Tap the TWO statements that are true about the benefits of physical activity.
- Exercise releases serotonin, which lifts the mood
- Team sport can build friendship and cooperation
- Exercise brings no benefit to the mind
- The only benefits of sport are physical
Name the benefit
Read each example and choose which group of benefit it shows.
- After three months of running, a person resting heart rate has fallen and they can climb stairs without getting out of breath. Which benefit is this?
- A student who felt anxious before exams says that a weekly swim leaves them calmer and in a better mood. Which benefit is this?
- A person who moved to a new town joins a netball team and quickly makes a group of friends there. Which benefit is this?
Explain the three benefits
Explain the physical, mental and social benefits a person can gain from regular physical activity, giving an example of each.
- Explain one physical benefit to the body
- Explain one mental benefit and name the mood chemical
- Explain one social benefit of taking part with others