Key Stage 4 – A sporting chance

Notes for teachers

At a glance

Scientists at the University of Oxford are investigating the link between sporting activity in young people and the development of osteoarthritis. In very active people, bony lesions can form on the hip joint which increases their risk of developing the condition.

In this activity students consider this risk and also research the benefits of exercise in order to write an informed opinion. They learn how to find and use reliable sources of information to quote scientific evidence.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students can describe the possible risks and benefits of exercise
  • Students can identify reliable sources of information
  • Students can write an opinion based on scientific evidence

Each student will need

  • Copy of the pupil worksheet
  • Internet access

Possible Lesson Activities

  1. Starter activity
  2. Before the class enter the room write on the board the claim: 'too much exercise is bad for young people'.
  3. Ask the students to comment on the claim - do they think it is true? How could exercise be bad?
  4. Show the class the animation 'Hip hip hooray'.
  5. Ask each student to use the information to write one sentence which uses the scientific evidence in the animation to support the claim. Choose volunteers to share these with the rest of the class.
  1. Main activity: Researching risks and benefits
  2. Highlight the important message at the end of the animation - that the risk of developing FAI is not an adequate reason to give up exercise.
  3. Discuss with the students that there are both risks and benefits of exercising. In order to make an informed decision about whether the benefits outweigh the risks, you need to study scientific evidence.
  4. Give each student a copy of the pupil worksheet and ask them to read through the information on the first page. This gives them information about FAI and its link to osteoarthritis (OA).
  5. Then, students work alone or in pairs to research the risk of OA and also the benefits of exercise. They use page 2 of the pupil worksheet which lists some possible benefits of exercise. They should research on the internet to find reliable sources of evidence to support these. It is important to discuss with the class that they may not find reliable evidence for all of them. For example, the evidence that links exercise with improved brain function is controversial.For evidence to support the risk of OA they can use the information on page 1 of the pupil worksheet and also the weblinks on the Oxford Sparks website to the research of the University of Oxford's scientists.Information on what makes a reliable source is also given on page 2.
  6. Students should write down information, remembering to also include the source of the evidence. Depending on the class, you may want to introduce to them how to use citations in their writing.
  1. Main activity: Writing an opinion
  • After gathering their evidence, students then work alone to write their opinion.
  • They should include evidence which shows risks and benefits of exercise and include a personal opinion on whether they think the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks.
  1. Plenary
  2. Ask volunteers to read out their personal opinions. Does everyone agree?
  3. Discuss the bigger picture surrounding risks and benefits: many applications of science and technology have risks as well as benefits. It is important to research these carefully and weigh them up before making a decision. Other examples that you could mention include the use of vaccinations, cloning, GM crops, nuclear power and e-cigarettes.

Weblinks

Information on FAI with links to other sources.

Information about osteoarthritis from Arthritis Research.