IBDP Sport Exercise and Health Science HL
IB Diploma Programme Sport, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Higher Level is a rigorous Group 4 science course that applies the principles of biology, physics, and psychology to the study of human movement, athletic performance, and health. This AccelaStudy domain covers the complete HL syllabus across six core topics — Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Energy Systems, Movement Analysis, Sport Psychology, and Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance — together with the HL-only extension on Doping in Sport and full preparation for the HL Paper 3 extended response.Students develop a deep, integrated understanding of how the body functions during exercise and adapts to training. In Anatomy, learners master skeletal and muscular structure, the sliding filament theory, and fibre-type physiology. Exercise Physiology extends this to cardiovascular and respiratory responses, VO2 max, the Fick principle, and the mechanisms of fatigue and recovery. Energy Systems explores the ATP-PCr, anaerobic glycolytic, and aerobic pathways, the lactate threshold, and the energy continuum. Movement Analysis combines neuromuscular physiology with Newtonian and angular mechanics, fluid dynamics, and — at HL — the science of skill acquisition and motor learning. Sport Psychology addresses arousal-performance models, motivation, self-efficacy, attentional control, and HL content on group dynamics, cohesion, and leadership. The Measurement and Evaluation topic builds quantitative competence in fitness testing, statistical analysis (mean, SD, t-test, correlation), research design, and periodised training programme construction.The Internal Assessment prepares students to design, conduct, and critically evaluate an original scientific investigation, applying experimental design principles and statistical tools to real sport or health science questions. AccelaStudy's adaptive engine targets each learner's gaps across all four IB assessment objectives — knowledge, application, synthesis/evaluation, and practical skills — using spaced repetition, contrastive pair reasoning, and data-driven progress tracking to build exam-ready mastery efficiently.
270
Minutes
90
Questions
4/7
Passing Score
$173
Exam Cost
Who Should Take This
This domain is designed for IB Diploma students studying Sport, Exercise and Health Science at Higher Level who want structured, adaptive preparation for Papers 1, 2, and 3 and the Internal Assessment. It is ideal for students with an interest in sport science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physiotherapy, medicine, nutrition, coaching, or health promotion who seek a scientifically rigorous credential. Students who find traditional biology or physics courses too abstract will appreciate SEHS's applied, performance-focused approach, while those aiming for university programmes in sport science, medicine, or allied health professions will benefit from the depth of physiological and biomechanical analysis demanded at HL.
What's Covered
1Skeletal system (bones, joints, cartilage), muscular system (structure, sliding filament theory, fibre types, length-tension and force-velocity relationships), connective tissue
2Cardiovascular system (cardiac cycle, acute and chronic responses to exercise), respiratory system (lung volumes, gas exchange, ventilatory threshold), VO2 max and limiting factors (HL), fatigue and recovery mechanisms (HL)
3ATP-PCr system, anaerobic glycolysis, aerobic system (Krebs cycle, ETC), lactate threshold, energy continuum, EPOC, substrate utilisation and the crossover concept
4Neuromuscular function (motor units, proprioception), biomechanics (Newton's laws, centre of mass, angular mechanics, projectile motion, fluid mechanics), skill acquisition and motor learning (HL)
5Arousal, anxiety, stress, motivation theories, self-efficacy, attentional focus, psychological skills training, group dynamics and cohesion (HL), leadership theories (HL)
6Fitness testing (validity, reliability, objectivity), statistical analysis (mean, SD, t-test, correlation), research design, training principles, periodisation, training methods
7WADA prohibited list, classes of banned substances and their mechanisms, health risks, ethical and legal implications, anti-doping detection methods and the biological passport
8Self-designed experimental investigation (2,000–2,500 words); independent variable manipulation; quantitative data collection; statistical analysis; critical evaluation of methodology and conclusions
What's Included in AccelaStudy® AI
Adaptive Knowledge Graph
Practice Questions
Lesson Modules
Console Simulator Labs
Exam Tips & Strategy
13 Activity Formats
Course Outline
1Topic 1: Anatomy 2 topics
Skeletal System
- Identify the major bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton, classify them by shape (long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid), and state the functions of the skeletal system including support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and haematopoiesis.
- Describe the structural classification of synovial joints (plane, hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, ball-and-socket), identify their anatomical components, and list the movements possible at each joint type relevant to sport and exercise.
- Explain how bone remodelling occurs in response to mechanical loading during exercise, distinguishing between osteoblast and osteoclast activity, and analyse the implications for bone density and injury risk in athletes.
Muscular System
- Identify the major skeletal muscles of the body, state their origin, insertion, and primary action, and describe the roles of agonist, antagonist, synergist, and fixator muscles during sport-specific movements.
- Describe the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction, including the roles of actin, myosin, troponin, tropomyosin, calcium ions, and ATP, and explain how action potentials trigger cross-bridge cycling.
- Distinguish between Type I (slow-twitch oxidative), Type IIa (fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic), and Type IIx (fast-twitch glycolytic) muscle fibres in terms of structure, metabolic profile, fatigue resistance, and suitability for different sport disciplines.
- Explain the length-tension relationship and force-velocity relationship in skeletal muscle, and analyse how these principles influence the design of resistance training programmes and the mechanics of sport performance.
2Topic 2: Exercise Physiology 3 topics
Cardiovascular System
- Describe the structure and function of the heart, including the cardiac cycle, stroke volume, heart rate, and cardiac output, and state the relationship Q = HR × SV as the basis for cardiovascular response to exercise.
- Explain the acute cardiovascular responses to aerobic exercise, including increases in heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, blood pressure, and redistribution of blood flow via vasodilation and vasoconstriction.
- Analyse the long-term cardiovascular adaptations to endurance training, including cardiac hypertrophy, increased stroke volume, reduced resting heart rate, and improved oxygen delivery, evaluating their significance for athletic performance.
Respiratory System
- Describe the mechanics of pulmonary ventilation, define tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, residual volume, vital capacity, and minute ventilation, and state how these change during exercise.
- Explain the process of external and internal respiration, including the role of partial pressure gradients, haemoglobin oxygen dissociation curve, Bohr effect, and the transport of carbon dioxide in blood during exercise.
- Analyse the ventilatory threshold and its relationship to lactate threshold and exercise intensity, evaluating how these markers are used to prescribe training zones and predict endurance performance in athletes.
VO2 Max and Fatigue (HL)
- Define VO2 max, explain the Fick principle (VO2 = Q × a-vO2 difference), and analyse the central and peripheral factors that limit maximal oxygen uptake, evaluating methods used to measure and estimate VO2 max in field and laboratory settings.
- Explain the physiological mechanisms of fatigue during high-intensity and prolonged exercise, including metabolite accumulation, glycogen depletion, electrolyte imbalance, and central nervous system fatigue, and evaluate recovery strategies.
3Topic 3: Energy Systems 3 topics
ATP-PCr System
- Describe the ATP-PCr (phosphocreatine) energy system, including the role of creatine kinase, the rate and capacity of ATP resynthesis, and the duration and intensity of exercise for which this system is the primary energy source.
Anaerobic Glycolysis
- Describe the anaerobic glycolytic pathway, including the key steps from glucose to pyruvate, the net ATP yield, the role of NAD+/NADH, and the production of lactate as a metabolic by-product during high-intensity exercise.
- Explain the lactate threshold concept, distinguish between lactate threshold 1 and lactate threshold 2, and analyse how lactate testing is used to monitor training status and prescribe exercise intensity in endurance athletes.
Aerobic System
- Describe the aerobic energy system, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain, stating the ATP yield from glucose and fat oxidation and the role of oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
- Explain the crossover concept and the relative contribution of carbohydrate and fat as fuel sources at different exercise intensities, and analyse the implications for nutrition strategies in endurance and high-intensity sport.
- Evaluate the interplay among the three energy systems during sport performance, constructing an energy continuum diagram and justifying which system predominates for specific sports based on intensity, duration, and metabolic demands.
- Construct and annotate an EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) graph, explaining the fast and slow components of oxygen debt recovery and evaluating the practical implications for training session design and recovery protocols.
4Topic 4: Movement Analysis 3 topics
Neuromuscular Function
- Describe the structure and function of the motor unit, explain the all-or-none principle, and distinguish between spatial and temporal summation as mechanisms for grading muscle force during voluntary movement.
- Explain proprioception and the roles of muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs in regulating muscle length and tension, and analyse how these mechanisms contribute to movement control, injury prevention, and rehabilitation in sport.
Biomechanics
- Define and apply Newton's three laws of motion to sport contexts, explaining how inertia, acceleration, and action-reaction forces govern the mechanics of running, jumping, throwing, and other fundamental movement patterns.
- Describe the concepts of centre of mass, base of support, and line of gravity, and explain how their relationship determines static and dynamic balance in sport, applying these principles to analyse stability in gymnastic and martial arts movements.
- Explain the concepts of angular momentum, moment of inertia, and angular velocity, and analyse how athletes manipulate body position to control rotation in diving, gymnastics, and throwing events using conservation of angular momentum.
- Analyse the effects of projectile motion on sporting implements and athletes, applying the principles of angle of release, velocity, and height of release to evaluate optimal technique in javelin, shot put, and long jump.
- Evaluate the application of fluid mechanics principles — including drag, lift, the Bernoulli effect, and the Magnus effect — to sport performance, comparing how equipment design and technique modifications exploit or minimise these forces.
Skill Acquisition and Motor Learning (HL)
- Classify motor skills using the open/closed, gross/fine, discrete/serial/continuous, and self-paced/externally-paced continua, and explain how skill classification informs the selection of appropriate practice methods and feedback strategies.
- Describe Fitts and Posner's three stages of learning (cognitive, associative, autonomous) and explain how practice type, feedback, and mental rehearsal strategies should be adapted at each stage to optimise skill acquisition.
- Evaluate the relative effectiveness of massed versus distributed practice, whole versus part practice, and variable versus constant practice in developing motor skills, justifying recommendations for specific sport contexts and learner profiles.
5Topic 5: Sport Psychology 3 topics
Arousal, Anxiety, and Motivation
- Describe the concepts of arousal, anxiety (somatic and cognitive), and stress in sport, and outline the drive theory, inverted-U hypothesis, and catastrophe theory as models explaining the arousal-performance relationship.
- Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and between achievement goal orientations (task and ego), and explain how self-determination theory and attribution theory account for differences in athlete motivation and persistence.
- Evaluate psychological strategies — including goal setting (SMART), imagery, self-talk, relaxation techniques, and pre-performance routines — for managing arousal and anxiety, comparing their effectiveness across different sport contexts.
Confidence, Concentration, and Mental Toughness
- Explain Bandura's self-efficacy theory, identifying the four sources of efficacy information, and analyse how coaches and sport psychologists can design experiences to build athlete confidence and resilience in competitive settings.
- Describe attentional focus styles (broad/narrow, internal/external) using Nideffer's model, and explain how attentional control training and mindfulness-based interventions improve concentration and performance under pressure.
Group Dynamics and Cohesion (HL)
- Describe Carron's conceptual model of group cohesion, distinguishing between task cohesion and social cohesion, and explain how cohesion develops through the stages of group formation (Tuckman's model) in sport teams.
- Analyse the phenomena of social loafing, the Ringelmann effect, and social facilitation, evaluating strategies coaches can implement to maximise individual effort and collective performance in team sport environments.
- Evaluate leadership theories in sport — including transformational leadership, Chelladurai's multidimensional model, and situational leadership — assessing how leader behaviour, athlete characteristics, and situational demands interact to influence team outcomes.
6Topic 6: Measurement and Evaluation of Human Performance 3 topics
Fitness Testing and Norms
- Identify and describe standard fitness tests for aerobic capacity (multi-stage fitness test, Cooper 12-minute run), muscular strength and endurance (1RM, sit-up test), flexibility (sit-and-reach), and body composition (BMI, skinfold), stating the physiological component each measures.
- Evaluate the validity, reliability, and objectivity of common fitness tests, comparing laboratory-based and field-based assessment methods and justifying the selection of appropriate tests for specific athlete populations and performance goals.
Statistical Analysis and Research Design
- Calculate mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation from raw performance data sets, and construct appropriate graphs (bar charts, scatter plots, line graphs) to display and communicate physiological and performance data.
- Apply the t-test to compare means between two groups or conditions in sport science data, interpret the p-value in relation to a significance threshold, and explain the concepts of Type I and Type II error in the context of sport research.
- Determine the Pearson correlation coefficient from a scatter plot, interpret the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, and evaluate the limitations of correlation as evidence for causation in sport science research.
- Evaluate research designs used in sport science — including randomised controlled trials, crossover studies, observational studies, and case studies — comparing their strengths and limitations in establishing evidence for training interventions.
Training Principles and Programme Design
- Describe the principles of training — specificity, overload, progression, reversibility, variation, and individuality — and explain how each principle is applied when designing periodised training programmes for competitive athletes.
- Explain the concept of periodisation, distinguishing between macrocycle, mesocycle, and microcycle, and analyse how linear and undulating periodisation models are applied to optimise peak performance timing for elite athletes.
- Evaluate the physiological basis and practical application of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), continuous training, Fartlek training, and resistance training, comparing their effectiveness for developing specific fitness components in different athlete populations.
7HL Extension: Doping in Sport 1 topic
Performance-Enhancing Substances
- Identify the major classes of prohibited substances on the WADA prohibited list — including anabolic steroids, EPO, beta-blockers, stimulants, diuretics, and blood doping — and describe the physiological mechanism by which each class is claimed to enhance performance.
- Analyse the health risks associated with the use of anabolic androgenic steroids, erythropoietin, human growth hormone, and stimulants, evaluating the ethical, legal, and social implications of doping for athletes, sport organisations, and society.
- Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of current anti-doping detection methods — including urine and blood testing, the biological passport, and whereabouts requirements — and discuss the ongoing challenges of maintaining clean sport.
8Internal Assessment: Individual Scientific Investigation 2 topics
Research Design
- Construct a focused, testable research question for a sport, exercise, or health science investigation, identifying the independent, dependent, and controlled variables, and justifying the experimental design in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.
- Construct a detailed methodology for data collection in a sport science investigation, specifying participant selection criteria, measurement protocols, equipment calibration procedures, and strategies to minimise systematic and random error.
Data Analysis and Evaluation
- Calculate and present descriptive and inferential statistics from collected data, construct appropriate graphical representations with correctly labelled axes and error bars, and interpret results in relation to the research question and hypothesis.
- Evaluate the methodology and conclusions of a completed sport science investigation, identifying sources of systematic and random error, assessing the impact of limitations on the validity of conclusions, and proposing specific, realistic improvements.
9Paper 3 HL: Extended Response and Unseen Practical Scenario 1 topic
Integrated Analysis Skills
- Analyse an unseen practical scenario or data set in sport, exercise, or health science, integrating knowledge from multiple syllabus topics to identify physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors influencing the observed performance or health outcome.
- Evaluate competing explanations or interventions presented in an unseen stimulus, constructing a well-structured extended response that weighs evidence, acknowledges limitations, and reaches a justified conclusion relevant to sport or health science practice.
Scope
Included Topics
- All six core syllabus topics: Anatomy, Exercise physiology, Energy systems, Movement analysis, Sport psychology, and Measurement and evaluation of human performance
- All HL extension content: additional depth in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, fatigue and recovery mechanisms, VO2 max and lactate threshold, advanced biomechanical analysis, group dynamics and cohesion, skill acquisition and motor learning, doping in sport, and research design
- Practical investigation (Internal Assessment): a 10-hour individual investigation using a self-designed experimental protocol, producing a written report of 2,000–2,500 words with quantitative data collection, statistical analysis, and evaluation
- Four assessment objectives (AO1 knowledge/understanding, AO2 application/analysis, AO3 synthesis/evaluation, AO4 practical and investigative skills) and the IB command terms taxonomy under each
- Three external assessment papers: Paper 1 (multiple-choice, 20%), Paper 2 (data-based and short-answer, 40%), Paper 3 (HL-only extended response on an unseen practical scenario, 20%)
- Internal assessment component (20%): individual scientific investigation applying experimental design, data collection, statistical processing, and critical evaluation
- Conceptual understanding of the body as an integrated system, the role of evidence-based practice in sport and exercise science, and ethical considerations in research and performance enhancement
- Statistical and data-analysis skills: mean, standard deviation, t-test, correlation, graphing, and interpretation of physiological data
Not Covered
- Clinical diagnosis or medical treatment protocols beyond the scope of exercise science
- Detailed pharmacological mechanisms of drugs beyond what is required for doping awareness
- Advanced inferential statistics beyond t-tests and correlation (e.g. ANOVA, regression diagnostics, multivariate analysis)
- Sport-specific coaching techniques or tactical game analysis not linked to the syllabus topics
- Detailed nutritional biochemistry beyond macronutrient roles in energy metabolism as specified in the syllabus
- Vendor-specific laboratory equipment procedures — concepts covered but not instrument-specific protocols
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