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PRAXIS II Physical Education: Content Knowledge Exam

This exam is designed for individuals who would like to teach physical education in grades K-12. You will be given two hours to complete as 120 multiple-choice exam. There will be 16 questions regarding health and safety, 10 regarding biomechanics, 13 regarding social science foundations, 23 regarding fitness and exercise, 29 regarding movement forms and, 29 regarding motor development, motor learning and fundamental movements.

Health and Safety
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of first aid, CPR, water safety, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, liability of physical education equipment and instruction, the relationship between substance abuse and physical performance, fitness awards such as Fitnessgram, Physical Best, and the President's Challenge. Questions regarding injury prevention and safety considerations during exercise will be included in this section of the exam.

Biomechanics
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of movement patterns including kicking, overhand throwing and under and throwing. The basic principles of movement including torque, speed, summation of forces, and the center of gravity along with the definition of friction, force, and mass will be included in this section of the exam.

Social Science Foundations
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of the history of physical education, current philosophical issues of physical education, and the psychological impact of participation in physical education, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, affirmative action, and Title IX.

Fitness and Exercise Science
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of the relationship between fitness and nutrition, the long and short-term effects of exercise, exercise physiology, human anatomy and physiology, bones, muscles, and bodily systems and their functions, physical conditioning practices, body composition and flexibility, muscular endurance and the cardiorespiratory system.

Movement Forms
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of injury prevention and safety, various forms of dance, gymnastics, various types of games, individual and team sports, outdoor pursuits, martial arts, and lifetime movement activities. Your knowledge of volleyball, tennis, basketball, softball, soccer, swimming and, track and field will be assessed in this section of the exam.

Functional Movements, Motor Learning and Motor Development
This section of the exam will assess your knowledge of growth and motor development, neurophysiology of motor control, motor patterns, and the influence of gender differences, and environment on motor performance. Questions regarding movement concepts of space, body and effort along with manipulative, locomotor, non-locomotor movements will also be included in this section of the exam.

PRAXIS II Physical Education: Content Knowledge Practice Questions

1. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act encompasses which disabilities?

A. Physical
B. Psychological
C. Learning
D. All of the above

2. Which of the following does not contribute to the recommended daily physical activity?

A. Brisk walking
B. Taking a shower
C. Household chores
D. Bike riding

3. Proper motor function relies on the:

A. brain
B. joints
C. nervous system
D. All of the above

4. Biomechanics is based in:

A. engineering
B. anatomy
C. aerospace
D. All of the above

5. Which of the following is not a partner dance?

A. Formation dance
B. Round dance
C. Group dance
D. Sequence dance

Answer Key For Physical Education: Content Knowledge

1. Answer: D

Because the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates about fifteen percent of Americans have some type of learning issue, a law passed by Congress, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), includes provisions concerning educational requirements. This federal law states children with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities are entitled to a "free and appropriate public education."

Every state and territory is mandated to provide educational opportunities for children between the ages of three and twenty-one, no matter how severe the learning problems or physical challenges. Research shows the earlier these children receive help, the more successfully they learn to function in the real world. IDEA also defines standards concerning the "development and use of assistive technology devices and services" that improve the student's functional capabilities and help him become more physically self-sufficient.

2. Answer: B

Physical activity is bodily movement that causes energy expenditure. Regular physical activity results in significant health benefits for everyone, no matter what the age. Engaging children early in life and helping them understand the reasons for exercise in their daily routine is a giant step toward preventing health problems now, as well as later in life. Benefits are felt with any activity, but scheduled and structured exercise enhances its effects. It prevents or delays the onset of many diseases, including hypertension, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, colon issues, and obesity.

Physical activity reduces anxiety and stress and improves body image and mood. Low to moderate activity reduces the possibility of muscle and skeletal injuries and heart-related problems. The National Institutes of Health said even short ten minute bursts of activity, as long as it adds up to at least thirty minutes every day for adults and adolescents and sixty minutes a day for children, provides benefits. Brisk walking, riding a bike, swimming, participating in sports, gardening, and household chores are all activities that contribute to the recommended daily physical activity.

3. Answer: D

A motor skill is any activity that requires directed movement of skeletal muscles. These skills develop during a person's entire lifetime and are affected by many physical and mental diseases. Proper motor function relies on the brain, skeleton, joints, and nervous system all working together to accomplish a task. Motor skills develop along with the ability to consciously coordinate the movement of arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes. This physical maturation process is enhanced by gaining strength, posture control, balance, and perceptual skills.

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS control and coordinate the large muscle groups. Examples: rolling over, sitting up, balancing, crawling, and walking. They develop first and are usually learned in a discernible pattern from the top to the bottom.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS control and coordinate the small muscles groups and often entail very precise movement to accomplish a task. Examples: transferring an item from one hand to another, buttoning a blouse, turning pages, picking up small objects, and writing. They are integral to good hand-eye coordination.

4. Answer: D

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines biomechanics as "the study of the mechanics of a living body. The mechanics of a part or function of a living body." In essence, researchers apply engineering principles to human biological systems and analyze the results. They study tissues, muscles, joints, and how they affect human movement. These studies are done on all levels from molecules and cells to tissues and organs. The findings are used to help define problems in diabetics, prevent bone loss during space flight, and develop new rehabilitation methods to treat sports injuries. The roots of biomechanics are based in engineering, anatomy, aerospace, rehabilitation, medicine, orthopedics, and sports science.

The sports science of kinesiology, which is the study of muscles as it relates to the mechanics of human motion, uses modeling, simulation, and measurement to learn about the physics of human performance in an effort to help athletes execute specific motions more efficiently and avoid injury.

5. Answer: C

A SOLO DANCE is performed by one person, usually the best of the group. This type of dancing can be very powerful and emotional for both the dancer and the audience.

A PARTNER DANCE is done by two people with the specific steps choreographed, so the dancers move in sync with each other. Some of these dances are known as the:

FORMATION DANCE: Each dancer exhibits his special technique while moving as part of a team. Movements can come from jazz, ballet, tango, etc.
ROUND DANCE: usually have ethnic, folk, and cultural origins
SQUARE DANCE: Four couples form a square and follow a specific sequence of movements cued to a beat and with directions from a caller.
SEQUENCE DANCE: Predetermined steps are repeated every sixteen bars to a particular beat. Most ballroom dancing falls into this category.

GROUP DANCES are performed by people doing the same predetermined routine at the same time. The group moves as a whole. Line dancing is one example of this type of dancing.