Hello and welcome to BTEC Sport and Exercise Science!
We are really pleased you have chosen to study Sport and Exercise Science, BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate at Reigate College, and we are looking forward to welcoming you to our busy department in person at the start of the academic year.
To make sure you are ready for the course, we would like you to complete a series of tasks and activities over the coming months. Some of these tasks will be the same whether you’re planning on taking the Sport, BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (the equivalent of one A Level) or the Sport and Exercise Science, BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (the equivalent of one A Level).
Whichever course you have chosen, you will have the chance to share what you have learnt in September so please throw yourself into each activity, and above all enjoy them.
The tasks are organised in three distinct steps and should all be completed by Choices Day on 27 August 2025. This is to give you the best insight into what the courses will be like and/or help prepare you for them.
Please note, some Course Leaders (for example for Music) may release their tasks earlier, as they may form part of the College’s audition process. If this applies to you, you’ll be notified separately.
New Starters Course Tasks and Activities
| Release date | Suggested Completion Dates | |
| Explore your Subject | 1 June | 1 July |
| Get Going | 1 June | 1 August |
| Aim High | 1 June | 1 September |
Do you know how biomechanics impacts your performance in sport?
An essential skill within any BTEC subject is being able to research and interpret information from the Internet.
Task 1: Choose a sport and then use the Internet to do some research into that sport to find out the following information (the websites listed below may help you with this):
- Describe three ways in which Biomechanics is used for this sport.
- List three benefits a performer would gain by understanding Biomechanics and using it to their advantage.
- Outline how a performer would use their knowledge of Newton’s three laws of motion when performing different skills in their sport.
- Using examples from different sports explain how a performers centre of mass can impact their performance.
Fitness training and programming
Knowledge of fitness training and programming is essential for Unit 6 of BTEC Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science.
Breaking it down
It’s important to have a good understanding of the components of fitness, both physical and skill related.
Task 1: Watch the following video on Ronaldo and answer the questions below.
- Which fitness components can you identify?
- Why is each fitness component you have identified important in sport?
Understanding Functional Anatomy
Basic knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology is essential for Unit 2 of the Sport and Exercise Science, BTEC Level 3 course. You will need to be familiar with the following body systems:
- Skeletal system – bone locations, skeletal functions, joint types and sporting movements
- Muscular system – muscle locations, muscle types, antagonistic muscle action and fibre types
- Respiratory system – lung structure and function, breathing mechanisms and lung volumes
- Cardiovascular system – heart structure and function, blood vessels and how the heart beats
TASK: Print off the below pdf showing blank diagrams of the following four body systems.(If you do not have access to a printer, please do a sketch for each.) On the relevant diagrams, label the key components shown in italics below:
- Skeletal system – cranium, clavicle, ribs, sternum, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, pelvis, vertebral column, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals
- Muscular system – deltoids, biceps, triceps, pectorals, abdominals, obliques, quadriceps, hip flexors, tibialis anterior, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, gluteals, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, soleus
- Respiratory system – nasal cavity, epiglottis, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli, diaphragm, intercostal muscles
- Cardiovascular system /Heart structure – atria, ventricles, bicuspid valve, tricuspid valve, semi-lunar valves, septum, aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, coronary arteries
A good knowledge of these body systems will really help you in the BTEC course so please try to memorise the labelled diagrams.
Head of Sport and Public Services
