VCE Physical Education past exams 2016–2025, by year and topic

Energy production · 5 mapped questions

Movement skill · 5 mapped questions

Training foundations · 5 mapped questions

Training implementation · 1 mapped question

Biomechanics · 4 mapped questions

Integrated movement experiences · 2 mapped questions

The rest of the study design

Question-level mapping for these areas is still being verified. Every official paper covering them is in the year table above.

• Movement skill (Unit 3, AoS 1 — How are movement skills improved?) — Skill classification (discrete, serial, continuous; open/closed continuum) · Stages of learning (cognitive, associative, autonomous) · Characteristics and needs of learners at each stage · Constraints on skill development (individual, task, environmental) · Practice methods and distribution (massed vs distributed; whole vs part; blocked vs random; variability) · Feedback types (intrinsic/proprioceptive, extrinsic/augmented, knowledge of results, knowledge of performance) · Coaching and teaching approaches, stress management and psychological strategies (goal setting, mental rehearsal, concentration/attention) · Qualitative movement analysis (preparation, observation, evaluation/diagnosis, error correction/feedback)
• Energy production (Unit 3, AoS 2 — How does the body produce energy?) — ATP-CP, anaerobic glycolysis and aerobic energy systems (fuels, by-products, rate and yield of ATP production) · Energy system interplay and relative contribution during physical activity · Acute responses of the cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems to exercise · Oxygen consumption during and after exercise (oxygen deficit, steady state, EPOC) · VO2 max, lactate inflection point (LIP) and fatigue mechanisms · Interpreting physiological data (heart rate, blood lactate, VO2, power output) from tables and graphs
• Biomechanics (integrated across Units 3 and 4) — Levers (classes, mechanical advantage/disadvantage) · Newton's laws of motion applied to sport · Momentum, impulse, force-time relationships and summation of momentum · Projectile motion (angle of release, height of release, speed of release) · Stability and balance (base of support, centre of gravity, line of gravity) · Angular motion (moment of inertia, angular momentum, angular velocity)
• Training foundations (Unit 4, AoS 1 — What are the foundations of an effective training program?) — Fitness components (aerobic/anaerobic power and capacity, muscular strength/power/endurance, speed, flexibility, agility, balance, coordination) · Fitness testing (validity, reliability, appropriateness) and test selection for a sport/position · Training principles (specificity, overload, progression, individuality, variety, diminishing returns, reversibility/detraining) · Pre-training screening, activity analysis and data types (physiological, psychological, sociological, biomechanical) · Warm-up and cool-down phases and purposes
• Training implementation (Unit 4, AoS 2 — How is training implemented effectively to improve fitness?) — Training methods (continuous, fartlek, aerobic/anaerobic interval — short/intermediate/long, resistance, plyometric, flexibility) · Chronic physiological adaptations (cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular) to training and their performance benefits · Manipulating training method variables (sets, reps, intensity, work-to-rest ratio, %1RM) for a target fitness component · Recovery strategies (physiological, physical, psychological) and their justification · Nutritional strategies to delay fatigue and support performance · Monitoring training load and signs of overtraining
• Integrated movement experiences (Unit 4, AoS 3) — Interrelationships between skill acquisition, biomechanics, energy production and training in a single performance context · Analysing the impact of these interrelationships on performance outcomes · Synthesising and interpreting data/sources to draw performance conclusions (assessed via the extended-response Section B question)
• Social, cultural and equity influences on participation (Units 1-2 foundational; referenced in Units 3-4 application) — Sociocultural factors influencing participation in physical activity and sport · Equity, access and adapted/modified sport (e.g. Paralympic and wheelchair sport contexts) · Role models and major sporting events as drivers of participation