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JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus 2026/2027
Complete official UTME Physical and Health Education syllabus — all topics, sub-topics and JAMB learning objectives. Study what actually comes out, nothing extra.
12
Sections
40
Questions
JAMB Physical and Health Education Syllabus PDF
Official JAMB document • Free download
A · Foundations and Principles of Physical and Health Education
B · Human Anatomy and Physiology
C · Theory and Practice of Sports and Games
D · Food, Nutrition and Drugs
E · Physical Fitness and Conditioning Programmes
F · Recreation, Leisure and Dance
G · First Aid and Safety Education
H · National and International Sports Competitions
I · Corrective and Adapted Physical Education
J · Personal, Community and Environmental Health
K · Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
L · Family Life and Human Sexuality Education
Section A
A
Foundations and Principles of Physical and Health Education
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1. Physical Education (PE) — Principles and History
- Definition, nature, scope and objectives of PE
- Philosophy of Founding Fathers: Hetherington, Dudley Sergent, Thomas Wood, John Dewey
- History of PE in ancient Greece: Sparta and Athens
- History of PE in ancient Rome
- Development of PE in Nigeria: pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras
- Origin of ancient Greek festivals: Isthmian, Pythian, Nemean and Olympian Games
What JAMB expects you to do:
- State the meaning, nature, objectives and scope of PE
- Narrate the philosophy of the Founding Fathers of PE
- Trace the historical development of PE in ancient Greece, Rome and Nigeria
- Trace the origin and development of the ancient Greek festivals
2. Health Education — Philosophy, Objectives and Settings
- Meaning, philosophy and objectives of Health Education
- Settings: home-based, school-based, community-based, health facility-based, workplace-based
- Meaning of Health Promotion
- Differences between Health Promotion and Health Education
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define health education and state its philosophy and objectives
- Identify the various settings of health education
- Differentiate between health promotion and health education
Section B
B
Human Anatomy and Physiology
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1. Cells, Tissues and Systems
- Structure and functions of a typical human cell
- Types of cell and tissue: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
- Cell division: Mitosis and Meiosis
- Cell differentiation
- Organs and systems of the human body
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify cell structures and their functions
- Identify types of cell, tissue, organ and system in humans
- Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis and explain cell differentiation
2. Skeletal System
- Axial and appendicular skeletons and their functions
- Structure and types of bone
- Structure and types of joint
- Movements at the joints
- Bones and joints involved in movement
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the structure of the human skeleton and its functions
- Identify types of bone that make up the human skeleton
- Differentiate types of joint using appropriate examples
- Identify the different kinds of movement permitted at joints
3. Muscular System
- Major muscles of the body and their functions
- Isometric contractions
- Isotonic contractions
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify by name and location the major muscles in humans
- State the functions of major muscles
- Differentiate between isometric and isotonic contractions
4. Nervous System and Sense Organs
- Structures and functions of the central nervous system: Brain and Spinal Cord
- Types of nerve: voluntary and involuntary (simple reflex action)
- Sense organs: Skin (tactile/touch), Nose (olfactory/smell), Tongue (taste), Ear (auditory/hearing), Eye (sight)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the structures and functions of the central nervous system
- State the types of nerve and describe reflex action with examples
- Describe the structure of each sense organ and its function
5. Circulatory System
- Structure and functions of the heart and blood vessels
- Composition and functions of blood
- Types of blood circulation: Systemic and Pulmonary
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Draw and label the heart
- Compare the functions of arteries, veins and capillaries
- Identify the components and functions of blood
- Describe systemic and pulmonary circulations
6. Respiratory System
- Structure and functions of respiratory organs: nose, trachea and lungs
- Process of respiration: Inspiration and Expiration
- Tissue and cellular respiration
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the structure and functions of the respiratory organs
- Explain the processes of inspiration and expiration
- Explain cellular and tissue respiration
7. Excretory System
- Structure and functions of the kidney and skin
- Excretory functions of the lungs
- Formation of excretory products: urine, sweat and carbon dioxide
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify the structure of the kidney and skin
- State the functions of the kidney, skin and lungs in excretion
- Explain the processes of formation of urine, sweat and carbon dioxide
8. Somatotypes and Posture
- Body types: Endomorph, Mesomorph, Ectomorph
- Relationship between body types and physical activities
- Definition and characteristics of correct posture
- Types of postural defect: Flatfoot, Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Lordosis
- Causes of postural defects: poor habits, accident, heredity, disease
- Corrective measures: exercise, nutrition, good habits and medical intervention
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the various body types and relate them to physical activity performance
- Define and state the characteristics of good posture
- Explain the types, causes and corrective measures of postural defects
Section C
C
Theory and Practice of Sports and Games
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1. Athletics — Track Events
- Short distance races/sprints: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, hurdles and relay races
- Sprint start styles: bullet/bunch, medium and elongated
- Visual and non-visual baton take-over; take-over zone in relay
- Flight over hurdles; distances in high and low hurdle events
- Start, stride and finish in middle distance races: 800m and 1,500m
- Start, stride and finish in long distance races: 3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m, marathon and cross-country
- Rules, regulations and officiating in track events
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Name events in sprint, middle distance and long distance races
- Identify starting styles in sprint races
- Differentiate visual and non-visual baton take-over and explain the take-over zone
- Explain distances and clearance in hurdling
- Differentiate the rules, regulations and officiating for each track event
2. Athletics — Field Events
- Throwing events: Discus, Javelin and Shot Put — facilities, specifications, styles, techniques, rules and safety measures
- Jumping events: High Jump, Long Jump, Pole Vault and Triple Jump — facilities, specifications, styles, techniques and rules
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Name the events making up throwing and jumping events
- Identify facilities, equipment and specifications
- Explain styles, techniques, rules and regulations in throwing and jumping events
- Discuss safety precautions in throwing events
3. Ball Games — Football and Basketball
- Skills in football and basketball
- Facilities and equipment in football and basketball
- Rules, regulations and officiating in football and basketball
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the skills in football and basketball
- Identify various facilities and equipment in each game
- Identify the officials of football and basketball and state their functions
- Differentiate the rules and regulations of football and basketball
4. Racket Games — Table Tennis and Badminton
- Skills in table tennis and badminton
- Specification of facilities and equipment in table tennis and badminton
- Rules, regulations and officiating in table tennis and badminton
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Describe the skills in table tennis and badminton
- Identify facilities and equipment specifications for each game
- Identify officials in table tennis and badminton and state their functions
- Differentiate the rules and regulations of table tennis and badminton
Section D
D
Food, Nutrition and Drugs
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1. Food
- Classes, sources and importance of food nutrients
- Definition and composition of a balanced diet
- Diet planning for different groups: children, adolescents, athletes, pregnant women and the aged
- Food preparation, preservation and storage
- Principles of food hygiene
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Indicate the sources and importance of the various classes of food nutrients
- Define balanced diet and state its importance
- Draw up and specify dietary requirements for different groups of people
- Explain methods for food preparation, preservation, storage and the principles of food hygiene
2. Nutrition
- Definition and nutritional values of beverages
- Common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies
- Importance of water in human nutrition
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define nutrition and state the nutritional values of beverages
- State common nutritional deficiencies and their remedies
- Highlight the importance of water in human nutrition
3. Drugs
- Meaning and types: stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, sedatives and ergogenic aids
- Use, misuse and abuse of drugs
- Causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse
- Effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define drug and state its types
- Differentiate between drug misuse and abuse
- State the causes and prevention of drug misuse and abuse
- Explain the effects of drug misuse, abuse and self-medication on the body
Section E
E
Physical Fitness and Conditioning Programmes
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1. Physical Fitness
- Definition of physical fitness
- Health-related components: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition
- Performance/skill-related components: agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, speed
- Benefits of physical activity and exercise
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define physical fitness
- Outline and explain components of physical fitness
- Give examples of health-related and performance/skill-related components
- State the benefits of physical activity and exercise
2. Conditioning Programmes
- Aerobic programme
- Anaerobic programme
- Strength training programme
- Endurance training programme
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic programmes
- Differentiate between strength and endurance training programmes
Section F
F
Recreation, Leisure and Dance
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1. Recreation and Leisure
- Definition and importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest
- Outdoor recreational activities: jogging, swimming, cycling, bird watching, hiking, camping, picnicking
- Indoor recreational activities: TV, video games, computer games, musical instruments, billiards, card games, Ayo, draught
- Differences between recreational activities and competitive sports
- Safety measures in recreation
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate among recreation, leisure, work and rest
- State the importance of recreation, leisure, work and rest
- Mention types of recreation and give examples of each
- Differentiate between recreational activities and competitive sports
- State safety measures in recreation
2. Dance
- Definition and importance of dance
- Traditional dances and dance steps from various parts of Nigeria
- Costumes for various traditional dances in Nigeria
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define dance and state its importance
- Identify traditional dances from various parts of Nigeria
- Describe the dance steps and costumes for various traditional dances
Section G
G
First Aid and Safety Education
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1. First Aid
- Definition, aims and principles of first aid
- Qualities of a first aider
- First aid box and its contents
- Common injuries: cuts, wound, sprain, strain, dislocation, fracture
- Special conditions: bleeding, burn, scald, shock, poisoning
- Agencies: St. John's Ambulance, Red Cross Society
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define first aid and state its aims and principles
- Outline the qualities of a first aider and list contents of a first aid box
- Identify types of common injury and conditions requiring first aid
- Identify agencies involved in first aid services
2. Safety Education
- Meaning and types of accident and disaster
- Causes and prevention of accident and disaster
- Disaster relief activities
- Safety at home, workplace, school and community
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define accident and disaster and identify their types
- State the causes and prevention of accident and disaster
- Identify disaster relief activities
- Explain safety measures at home, workplace, school and community
Section H
H
National and International Sports Competitions
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1. National Sports Competitions
- Sports competitions organised by Sports Federations/Associations
- Sports competitions organised by Corporate Organisations
- Importance of the National Sports Festival
- Organisation and administration of sports competitions in Nigeria
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Identify sports competitions organised by federations and corporate bodies
- State the importance of the National Sports Festival
- Highlight the organisational and administrative structures of sports competitions in Nigeria
2. Institutional Games
- University Games (NUGA)
- Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA)
- Colleges of Education Games (NATCEGA)
- National School Sports Festival (NSSF)
What JAMB expects you to do:
- State the names and roles of the different institutional games
3. International Sports Competitions and Governing Bodies
- All Africa Games: history, evolution and aims
- International governing bodies: SCSA, IOC, FIFA, IAAF, ISSF, FIBA, ITTF, BWF
- Administrative structures of international governing bodies
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Narrate the history and evolution of the All Africa Games
- Identify the aims of the All Africa Games
- Identify international sports governing bodies by name
- Describe the administrative structure of international governing bodies
Section I
I
Corrective and Adapted Physical Education
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1. Disability, Adaptation and Rehabilitation
- Meaning and types of disability and special needs
- Adapted physical activities for people with disabilities and special needs
- Social and emotional problems of people with special needs
- Prevention of disability
- Corrective exercises to rehabilitate people with special needs
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define disability and describe people with special needs
- Identify types of disability and physical activities suitable for them
- State the social and emotional problems of people with disabilities
- State preventive measures of disability and corrective exercises for rehabilitation
Section J
J
Personal, Community and Environmental Health
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1. Personal Health
- Meaning and importance of personal health
- Personal hygiene: care of teeth, mouth, hair, skin, hands and nails
- Promotion and maintenance: exercise, nutrition, regular medical check-up
- Eye defects and corrections: myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism
- Auditory defects and corrections: Otitis media, partial deafness
- Dental diseases: dental caries, gingivitis
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define personal health and state its importance
- Differentiate the care of various body parts
- State the methods of promoting and maintaining personal health
- State the outcomes of personal health screening for the eye, ear and dental health
2. Community Health
- Community health services: orthodox services and traditional services (bone setters, birth attendants)
- Maternal and child health: ante-natal care, immunization, oral rehydration therapy, breast feeding, safe motherhood
- Aging and death education: characteristics of elderly persons, ways of relating with them, common causes of death
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Differentiate between orthodox and traditional health services
- Differentiate among various aspects of maternal and child health services
- Identify characteristics of elderly persons and state ways of relating with them
- Identify common causes of death
3. Environmental Health
- Housing: characteristics of good housing (location, ventilation, lighting, sanitation), town planning regulations
- Water supply: importance, sources and methods of purification
- Waste disposal: types (refuse, sewage) and methods
- Pollution: meaning, types (air, water, soil, noise), prevention and control
- Pest and vector control: differences between pest and vector, harmful effects, prevention and control
What JAMB expects you to do:
- State the characteristics of good housing and town planning regulations
- State the importance of water supply and explain methods of purification
- Differentiate between refuse and sewage disposal methods
- Define pollution, state its types and outline prevention and control measures
- Differentiate between pest and vector; explain harmful effects and prevention measures
Section K
K
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
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1. Disease — Meaning and Causes
- Definition of disease
- Causes of disease
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define disease and state its causes
2. Communicable Diseases
- Air-borne/Respiratory: measles, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, cerebro-spinal meningitis
- Water/Food-borne: dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever
- Insect-borne: malaria, yellow fever, trypanosomiasis
- Worm infections: Ascaris lumbricoides (tapeworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm), Dracunculus medinensis (guinea worm)
- Animal-borne diseases: rabies, leptospirosis
- Contact diseases: gonorrhoea, syphilis, ringworm, leprosy, AIDS
- Prevention and control: immunization, sterilization, isolation
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define communicable disease and state its classification with examples
- Highlight prevention and control measures of communicable diseases
3. Non-Communicable Diseases
- Definition of non-communicable diseases
- Examples: hypertension, sickle cell disease, cancer, epilepsy, ulcer, asthma, diabetes
- Prevention and control measures
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define non-communicable diseases with examples
- Highlight prevention and control measures of non-communicable diseases
Section L
L
Family Life and Human Sexuality Education
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1. Family
- Definition of the family
- Types: Nuclear family (monogamous, polygamous, single parent, family by adoption) and Extended family
- Characteristics of a happy family
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define the family and explain its types
- State the characteristics of a happy family
2. Human Sexuality Education
- Meaning and importance of human sexuality education
- Reproductive health rights: right to number of children, consent to marry, gender equality, privacy
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Explain human sexuality and state its importance
- Highlight reproductive health rights
3. Family Planning
- Definition and importance of family planning
- Methods and their advantages/disadvantages: condom, pills, uterine device, abstinence
- Challenges in Nigerian families: pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, widowhood
- Agencies promoting healthy family living: school, NGO, religious homes
What JAMB expects you to do:
- Define family planning and state its importance
- Identify the various methods of family planning and state their advantages
- State the challenges facing family life in Nigeria
- Identify agencies promoting healthy family living
🚀
Now Practice JAMB Physical and Health Education Past Questions
Reading the syllabus is step one. The fastest way to score high is to practice real past questions from every year — with instant answers and explanations.
Practice Physical and Health Education Past Questions →📚 JAMB Recommended Textbooks
These are the official books listed by JAMB for Physical and Health Education preparation:
📖 Afuekwe A. I. (2007) — An Introductory Textbook of Physical Education for Secondary Schools and Colleges, Vol. 1, Sales Point (Nig.) Co.
📖 Afuekwe A. I. (2009) — Health Topics in the New Curriculum of Physical and Health Education, Vol. 1, Seas Print (Nig.) Co.
📖 Nnabueze, U. C. (2002) — Foundation of Health and Physical Education for Schools, Vol. II, Okotech Publishers, Enugu
📖 Ofadeji, A. A. (2013) — Comprehensive Textbook on Physical and Health Education
📖 Oworu, O. O. (2004) — Fundamentals of Physical Education, Lucky Odoni (Nig.) Enterprises
📖 Oyerinde O. O., Dada J. O. & Oloyede R. O. (2021) — A Textbook of Physical and Health Education for Secondary School in Contemporary Nigeria Education System (4th Ed.), Fabonish Publisher, Positive Press, Ibadan
📖 Oyerinde O. O., Dada J. O. & Oloyede R. O. (2021) — All Times Health Education for Individual and College Student (4th Ed.), Fabonish Publisher, Bayero University Press
📖 Puffa H. A., Agbeko W. W. & Amui J. C. (2009) — Foundations of Physical Education and Sports, Akwu, Winneba, Ghana
Common Questions 🤔
JAMB PHE has twelve sections covering: Foundations and Principles of PE, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Theory and Practice of Sports and Games, Food/Nutrition/Drugs, Physical Fitness and Conditioning, Recreation/Leisure/Dance, First Aid and Safety, National and International Sports, Corrective and Adapted PE, Personal/Community/Environmental Health, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, and Family Life and Sexuality Education.
JAMB sets 40 questions in Physical and Health Education. Questions are drawn from all twelve sections, with consistent emphasis on Anatomy and Physiology, Sports and Games, Nutrition, and Communicable Diseases.
Human Anatomy and Physiology (Section B) is one of the most consistently tested areas — especially skeletal and muscular systems, types of joints, and the circulatory system. Section C (Sports and Games) and Section K (Diseases) also carry significant weight every year.
JAMB tests four Founding Fathers of PE: Clark Hetherington, Dudley Sargent, Thomas Wood and John Dewey. You are expected to know the philosophy and contributions of each to the development of Physical Education.
JAMB tests both categories of fitness components. Health-related components include cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. Performance/skill-related components include agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time and speed.
The PHE syllabus structure has been largely stable across recent years. All twelve sections remain unchanged. Ensure you cover the AI and Robotics additions in other subjects but for PHE, focus on mastering past questions from 2023 to stay current with question patterns.