The skill-related components of fitness include movement activities that are necessary for various skilled performances and athletic competitions. There are six skill-related components of physical fitness: agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, and speed. All of these components can be improved with proper training and practice within a physical education program. The skill-related components are distinct from the health-related fitness components in that they focus more on performing sports and physical activities rather than concentrating on body composition and health. Skill-related fitness not only includes health-related components but also covers components related to physical performance, making it suitable for those who want to perform at a high level.
In this blog post, I will explore the six skill-related fitness components in detail, with a list of definitions and examples to help students become more proficient performing several PE movement skills. I’ll go through these ideas in more depth by highlighting some of my PE Super Friends visuals to illustrate them. I will also examine how the skill-related components of fitness can be integrated into a typical physical education class.
Quick Section Links
Click any of the links below to jump to a section of this article:
Skill-Related Components of Fitness Definition
Skill-related fitness refers to the physical abilities that contribute to success in performance-based sports or other forms of exercise. Addressing the skill-related components and including them in our movement experiences during PE classes is important because people who acquire motor skills as youngsters are more likely to be active for a lifetime than those who don't.
Need information on the health related components? Check out my article:
National Standard
The skill-related components of physical fitness directly correlate well with SHAPE America Standard 2; Applies knowledge related to movement and fitness concepts.*
*National Physical Education Standards are used under license from SHAPE America.
What are the six skill-related components of fitness?
1. Agility, 2. Balance, 3. Coordination, 4. Power, 5. Reaction Time, and 6. Speed.
All six of these fitness components are important for students to develop so they can participate in a variety of movement activities and sports. The PE Super Friend visuals highlighted below allow for a better understanding of each component concept.
Agility
Agility is the ability to rapidly and accurately change the direction of the whole body in space while maintaining balance. For example, when playing soccer, a player needs to be able to quickly change directions to keep up with the play of the game. Another example would be if someone was playing tennis and they needed to quickly get to the ball that was hit by their opponent.
To improve your agility, try activities where you move quickly and in a variety of directions such as basketball, volleyball, pickleball, or flag football. Also, agility drills such as the shuttle run or ladder drills help too.
Balance
Balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium (control of your body) while stationary or moving. There are two types of balance: Static and dynamic. Static balance is when you are stationary and maintaining equilibrium like a gymnast performing a stationary handstand. Dynamic balance is when you are moving and still maintaining equilibrium such as a person skiing down a snow hill.
To improve your balance, try activities such as yoga, gymnastics, or ballet. Sports such as football, hockey, basketball, and water skiing also require great balance and a solid center of gravity.
Coordination
Coordination is the ability to use the senses and body parts to perform motor tasks smoothly and accurately. It’s the ability to skillfully execute movements while performing other tasks. For example, dribbling a soccer ball and then kicking it toward the goal.
To improve your coordination, try activities in which you use several parts of your body such as biking, swimming, skiing, or golf. Also, activities in which you use an object or different objects to catch, toss, throw, strike or kick like juggling, tennis, and base games help you become more coordinated.
Power
Power is the ability to perform a task quickly and forcefully; strength x speed. An example of power would be a weightlifter quickly and forcefully lifting a heavy weight overhead or a sprinter accelerating as fast as possible to reach top speed. Power can be improved through activities like doing push-ups or jumping rope.
To improve your Power, try a variety of “explosive” activities such as plyometrics (ex. box jumps, jump squats, and medicine ball throws), track and field, and creative dance. Also, activities such as football, gymnastics, and tennis help your power level too.
Reaction Time
Reaction time is the ability to react or respond quickly to what you hear, see, or feel. An example of reaction time would be a goalkeeper diving to save a soccer ball heading for the net or a batter hitting a fastball thrown by a pitcher.
To improve your reaction time, try activities in which you must react quickly during a game situation such as sprint starts, table tennis, badminton, racquetball, or cup stacking.
Speed
Speed is the ability to move quickly from one point to another. An example of speed would be a sprinter running as fast as possible over 100 meters or a defender running across the field to intercept a football.
To improve your speed, try activities that you must move quickly from point A to point B such as sprinting, bicycling, or rowing. Also, speed training with intervals and strength exercises such as squats and burpees help increase your overall speed.
You can check out the Super Friends fitness component visuals on Cap'n Pete's website or on TPT
Incorporating the Skill-Related Fitness Components in PE
Keep the following things in mind when trying to incorporate skill-related fitness components into a PE class. First, it's important to focus on activities that will provide ample opportunities for students to practice whatever component you are targeting. For example, jumping rope is an excellent skill to help a student develop better coordination. Second, make sure the activities are developmentally appropriate for the students. What you do with a Kindergarten student would be much different than what you would do with a 6th grader. Third, provide clear and concise instructions so that students can be successful in performing the given tasks. And fourth, create a safe environment for students to practice and learn.
By incorporating these components into a PE class, students will be better able to improve their motor skill development.
Incorporating Skill Related Fitness In Class
Now that we are all familiar with the definition, different aspects, and some examples of the skill-related components, let's explore some physical activity examples we could use in our PE classes.
1. Skill-Related Fitness Circuits
Overview
Fitness Circuit training involves short sequences of movements that you perform one after the other, with only a brief rest in between. Using circuits that concentrate solely on one of the skill-related components works best (i.e. balance circuit with 12 balance movements or holds). A timer can be used (for example 30 seconds to 1 minute) to time the circuit movement.
Set-Up
Create some skill-related movement/exercise signs (with or without graphics). Print and laminate for future use
Place the movement/exercise cards in set areas around your learning area (spread them out)
Place students in small groups and have them start at one of the fitness circuit signs
Balance and Kinesthetic Awareness Circuit Task Cards located here: Cap'n Pete's Website or on TPT
Play
When the music starts playing or the teacher gives a start cue, students read their circuit sign and begin moving according
At each station, students read and do an exercise for 30 seconds to a minute
Students move to the next circuit card when the music changes or when the teacher gives a cue
The students continue from circuit sign to circuit sign for a specified time (i.e. 5 to 10 minutes)
Click to view a large set of Fitness Circuit Task Card visuals on Cap'n Pete's website or on TPT
2. Skill-Based Fitness Stations
Overview
Skill-based fitness stations involve a series of focused movements/actions, with or without PE equipment that students rotate throughout the entire class period. The stations last longer than circuits (usually 5 to 15 minutes) and each station can represent a different skill-related component of fitness. For example, you could have an agility station that is an obstacle course and a reaction time cup-stacking station.
Set-Up
Make some exercise signs that are skill-related (with or without graphics). Print them out and laminate them so you can use them again in the future
Place the station signs in various locations around your learning area
Assign students to small groups and have them start at one of the stations
Check out this 20 set bundle of PE Equipment Challenge Cards on Cap'n Pete's Website or on TPT
Play
When the music starts playing or the teacher gives a start cue, students read their station sign and take turns or work on their own to perform the station tasks
At each station, students read and do the designated task for 5 to 10 minutes
When the instructor gives a signal, the students move to the next station area
The students continue from the station for a specified time (i.e. 20 to 30 minutes)
3. Large Group PE Games
Overview
fitness stations involve a series of focused movements/actions, with or without PE equipment that students rotate throughout the entire class period. These stations emphasize fitness-related activities designed to improve various aspects of physical performance. The stations last longer than circuits (usually 5 to 15 minutes) and each station can represent a different skill-related component of fitness. For example, you could have an agility station that is an obstacle course and a reaction time cup-stacking station.
Set-Up
Make some exercise signs that are skill-related (with or without graphics). Print them out and laminate them so you can use them again in the future
Place the station signs in various locations around your learning area
Assign students to small groups and have them start at one of the stations
Check out this 20 set bundle of PE Equipment Challenge Cards on Cap'n Pete's Website or on TPT
Play
When the music starts playing or the teacher gives a start cue, students read their station sign and take turns or work on their own to perform the station tasks
At each station, students read and do the designated task for 5 to 10 minutes
When the instructor gives a signal, the students move to the next station area
The students continue from the station for a specified time (i.e. 20 to 30 minutes)
3. Large Group PE Games
Overview
Large group games are PE activities that many students can play simultaneously. These games are crucial for improving physical health by promoting cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. They usually involve multiple skills and incorporate several of the skill-related components within the game. They are often semi-competitive and they offer abundant opportunities for practicing skills and permit students to perform different roles within the game. Large group physical education games work well for students with limited PE skills and also for those that have a greater ability to perform the tasks.
Set-Up
Usually takes up the whole learning space or a good part of it
Place all the equipment needed for the game out before the students arrive
Instruct or review the rules and use students to demonstrate how to play. Discuss the skills that the game helps you practice
Check out this mega bundle of 36 of Cap'n Pete's Large Group PE Games - Cap'n Pete's Website or on TPT
Play
When the music starts playing or the teacher gives a start cue, students begin the large group game
Stop the game often to discuss strategy, rules, and/or behavioral issues
Re-set up the game when the class is over for the next group of students
4. Skill-Based Task Cards
Overview
Skill-based task cards are graphic activities or movements that students can perform independently, at their own pace and developmental level. They often have multiple challenges that students can pick and choose from. The cards make it easy for students to first read and then perform a variety of engaging fitness-based movements in a gym, classroom, or home. Teachers can easily walk around and provide individual feedback during a class period.
Set-Up
Create some skill-related task cards (with or without graphics). Print and laminate for future use
Place appropriate PE equipment in pods around your learning space
Distribute a task card to each student at the beginning of a lesson. Note- The teacher can also project the visual on a whiteboard or screen for all the students to do at the same time.
Place the extra cards in piles around the learning area
Click to view Cap'n Pete's PE Manipulative Skills Series Task Cards on Cap'n Pete's Website or on TPT
Play
When the music starts playing or the teacher gives a start cue, students read their task card and then begin to move around accordingly.
Students perform the task in their own personal space
When they are finished, they can trade with another student or get another one from the pile
Final Thoughts
Concluding the discussion on skill-related fitness components underscores their significance beyond mere curriculum content; they are foundational in developing physically adept and versatile individuals. From enhancing agility for soccer to fostering balance in gymnastics, each component significantly contributes to the physical development of students. Integrating targeted activities that emphasize agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, and speed into physical education programs arms students with the skills necessary for active and healthy living.
Utilizing large group games and skill-based task cards offers dynamic and engaging methods for practicing these crucial skills. Whether through challenging obstacle courses or individual movement tasks, each activity serves as a step towards physical literacy and excellence.
By centering physical education around these skill-related components, educators not only bolster students' physical abilities but also kindle a lifelong passion for movement. This approach ensures that students are equipped to navigate through their physical journeys, fostering a healthier, more active future.
Need PE Resources?
Do you need some PE Component of Fitness Task Cards for your physical education program that includes detailed instructions and state-of-the-art graphics and visuals? If you do, Cap'n Pete's Power PE has you covered!
Fill in the form below to download 20 FREE Component of Fitness Task Cards. The set is a PDF digital download that includes two visuals (cards/signs) from the following sport stations sets: 1. Cardiovascular Endurance, 2. Flexibility, 3. Muscular Endurance, 4. Muscular Strength, 5. Agility, 6. Balance, 7. Coordination, 8. Power, 9. Reaction Time and 10. Speed.
They are simple to use and effective for learning PE fitness movements. Just print laminate, cut out and then place them in sections of your learning area for your students to use during physical education lessons.
The Ultimate Fitness Component Task Cards
If you're searching for a way to take your PE program to the next level, Cap'n Pete's PE Components of Fitness Task Card Series- 10 Set SUPER BUNDLE is the perfect resource for you! It is a combination of 10 of Cap’n Pete’s DYNAMIC, health-related and skill-related fitness-based task card sets for students to use in a variety of educational or community settings. You'll find over 240 engaging, self-guided fitness-based movement station signs/cards (24 stations per component) in this super bundle.
You can download them from either of the following platforms: Cap'n Pete's Power PE Website or Teachers Pay Teachers- Cap'n Pete's TPT Store
