IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) is the scientific study of how the human body and mind work in sport, exercise and health. It is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). The IB introduced a new SEHS course for first teaching in August 2024, and it was first examined in May 2026. This guide explains the current course, how it is assessed and how to succeed.
Key Takeaways
- SEHS is organised into three themes: exercise physiology and nutrition, biomechanics, and sports psychology and motor learning (IB, 2023).
- The course is offered at Standard Level (SL, 150 hours) and Higher Level (HL, 240 hours).
- All students sit two papers. Paper 1 has multiple-choice questions (1A) and data-based questions (1B). Paper 2 has short-answer and extended-response questions.
- The internal assessment (IA) is a scientific investigation worth 24% of the final grade at both SL and HL.
- The four option topics from the previous course have been removed, and some of their content is now part of the main syllabus.
What Is IB SEHS?
The IB describes SEHS as "primarily concerned with the scientific study of human physiology, biomechanics and psychology". Scientists in these fields try to understand human physical and mental health and performance. They use controlled experiments, different research techniques and collaboration.
The IB also calls SEHS "a human science driven by curiosity about what makes humankind flourish, both physically and mentally". The course links ideas from Biology, Physics and Psychology, applied to sport, exercise and health.
SEHS is a group 4 science in the Diploma Programme, so it can be your science subject. Like the new Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses, it is built around nature of science, an overarching theme about how scientists work, communicate and build knowledge. Every theme is studied through two lenses: health and performance.
Do You Need a Science Background?
According to the IB, students can study SEHS at SL successfully with no previous science background. For HL, the IB says most students will need some previous formal science education, such as MYP sciences or an equivalent school course.
Course Structure and Teaching Hours
The IB says the three themes are "distinct, but also share many overlapping features". Studying the connections between them is a central part of the course.
| Syllabus component | SL hours | HL hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. Exercise physiology and nutrition of the human body | ||
| A.1 Communication | 23 | 28 |
| A.2 Hydration and nutrition | 16 | 22 |
| A.3 Response | 8 | 19 |
| B. Biomechanics | ||
| B.1 Generating movement in the body | 12 | 17 |
| B.2 Forces, motion and movement | 11 | 31 |
| B.3 Injury | 7 | 9 |
| C. Sports psychology and motor learning | ||
| C.1 Individual differences | 4 | 10 |
| C.2 Motor learning | 12 | 12 |
| C.3 Motivation | 8 | 16 |
| C.4 Stress and coping | 5 | 7 |
| C.5 Psychological skills | 4 | 9 |
| Experimental programme | ||
| Practical work | 20 | 40 |
| Collaborative sciences project | 10 | 10 |
| Scientific investigation (IA) | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 150 | 240 |
Sources: IB SEHS subject brief, first assessment 2026; IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026.
The syllabus content totals 110 hours at SL and 180 hours at HL. HL students cover additional content, not just the same topics in more depth (see the HL section below). For example, they spend 31 hours on forces, motion and movement, compared with 11 at SL. They also spend twice as long on practical work.
💡 Learn how each part of the IB grading system affects your final Diploma score.
The Three Themes
The IB says the three themes are closely linked and can be taught in any order. Each topic has a guiding question that frames what you study.
| Topic | Guiding question | Subtopics |
|---|---|---|
| A. Exercise physiology and nutrition of the human body | ||
| A.1 Communication | How does the body send and receive information about its internal environment to keep working well? | A.1.1 Inter-system communication A.1.2 Maintaining homeostasis A.1.3 Transport |
| A.2 Hydration and nutrition | How do nutrition and hydration affect the body's ability to perform? | A.2.1 Water and electrolyte balance A.2.2 Fuelling for health and performance A.2.3 Energy systems |
| A.3 Response | How does the body respond to exercise or training? | A.3.1 Qualities of training A.3.2 Benefits to health of being active A.3.3 Fatigue and recovery (HL only) |
| B. Biomechanics | ||
| B.1 Generating movement in the body | How are the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system related to movement? | B.1.1 Anatomical position, planes and movement B.1.2 Connective tissues and joints B.1.3 Muscular function B.1.4 Levers in movement and sport |
| B.2 Forces, motion and movement | How can the laws of motion explain movement and improve performance? | B.2.1 Newton's laws of motion B.2.2 Fluid mechanics B.2.3 Movement analysis and its applications |
| B.3 Injury | What causes musculoskeletal injury, and how can it be prevented and treated? | B.3.1 Causes of injury B.3.2 Interventions related to injury |
| C. Sports psychology and motor learning | ||
| C.1 Individual differences | Why do some individuals succeed and experience well-being more than others? | C.1.1 Personality C.1.2 Mental toughness |
| C.2 Motor learning | How are skills acquired, practised and perfected? | C.2.1 Motor learning processes C.2.2 Attentional control |
| C.3 Motivation | What drives human behaviour, and how can it be influenced? | C.3.1 Achievement motivation C.3.2 Self-determination C.3.3 Motivational climate |
| C.4 Stress and coping | How do stress and anxiety affect performance and health, and how can they be managed? | C.4.1 Arousal and anxiety C.4.2 Coping |
| C.5 Psychological skills | How can sport psychology interventions improve performance? | C.5.1 Goal setting C.5.2 Imagery (HL only) |
Source: IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026. Guiding questions are summarised in our own words.
What You Study in Each Theme
- Exercise physiology and nutrition covers the nervous and endocrine systems, homeostasis and thermoregulation, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, hydration, macronutrients, energy systems, VOâ‚‚ max, training principles and periodisation, and the health benefits of an active lifestyle. It also includes low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), and how the menstrual cycle can affect training.
- Biomechanics covers anatomical terms and planes of movement, joints and connective tissue, types of muscle contraction and fibre types, levers, Newton's laws, projectile motion, movement analysis, and the causes, prevention and treatment of injury, including concussion.
- Sports psychology and motor learning covers personality (including "the big five"), mental toughness, models of motor learning, attention, achievement motivation, self-determination theory, motivational climate, arousal and anxiety, coping strategies and goal setting.
Extra Content at HL
HL students study additional understandings across all three themes. These include:
| Theme | Additional HL content |
|---|---|
| Exercise physiology and nutrition | The body's responses to heat, humidity and altitude Micronutrients and the gut microbiome The lactate inflection point and EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) Prescribing exercise for specific groups Fatigue and recovery, including sleep and nutrition |
| Biomechanics | Anthropometry and ergonomic design The sliding filament theory Collisions, friction, work and power Buoyancy, lift, drag and the Magnus effect Overuse injuries linked to technique |
| Sports psychology and motor learning | Social learning theory The self-fulfilling prophecy, learned helplessness and attribution theory Ego orientation The mini-theories of self-determination Matching coping strategies to stressors The goal-setting paradox Imagery |
Source: IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026.
Skills and the Experimental Programme
The IB says the course is built on three pillars: approaches to learning, nature of science and skills in the study of SEHS. The skills are organised into tools and an inquiry process:
| Tools | Inquiry process |
|---|---|
Experimental techniques Technology Mathematics | Exploring and designing Collecting and processing data Concluding and evaluating |
The IB encourages teachers to build these skills into the syllabus topics, rather than teaching them separately. Examples from the guide include:
- Performance tests for components of fitness such as aerobic capacity, power, strength, flexibility, reaction time, speed and agility
- Questionnaires to measure psychological constructs, and methods to quantify perceived exertion
- Statistics such as mean, standard deviation, correlation and the t-test
- Study design, including random sampling, single and double blinding, cross-over designs and the placebo effect
You also use the IB's SEHS data booklet, which contains key equations, constants and anatomy diagrams. A clean copy is provided in every exam.
Practical Work
The IB calls practical work "a central aspect" of the course. Your teacher plans a practical programme that ranges from closed to open inquiry, and from hands-on experiments to simulations and modelling. This prepares you for the experimental questions in Paper 1B and for your IA.
The Collaborative Sciences Project
The collaborative sciences project is an interdisciplinary project for all DP science students. You work with students taking other sciences, in your own school or with other IB schools, on a real-world problem. The IB says it helps you build skills such as teamwork, negotiation and leadership.
Internal Assessment: The Scientific Investigation
The internal assessment (IA) is the scientific investigation. It is an open-ended task in which you gather and analyse data to answer your own research question.
- Weighting: 24% of the final grade at both SL and HL
- Recommended time: 10 hours
- Report: an individual written report of up to 3,200 words
- Data: the investigation must involve collecting and analysing quantitative data, supported by qualitative observations where appropriate.
- Methods: lab work, fieldwork, spreadsheet modelling, databases or simulations, alone or combined.
- Group work (optional): groups of up to three students can develop a method together. Each student must still answer their own research question, using a different variable or different data, and write their own report. No two students can present the same raw data.
- Same rules at SL and HL, and the same work cannot also be used for your extended essay.
| Criterion | Marks |
|---|---|
| Research design | 6 |
| Data analysis | 6 |
| Conclusion | 6 |
| Evaluation | 6 |
| Total | 24 |
Source: IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026.
Conclusion and evaluation together make up half the marks. For the conclusion, the IB expects you to compare your findings with the accepted scientific context and explain their practical implications for health or performance. Because half the marks come from concluding and evaluating, plan time to analyse your results carefully and discuss the strengths and limitations of your method. Need help planning your investigation? See our IB internal assessment support.
💡 Check out these five key habits of high-achieving IB students.
External Assessment Overview
| Component | Format | SL | HL | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Paper 1A: multiple-choice questions Paper 1B: data-based questions and questions on experimental work | 1h 30m 55 marks (30 multiple choice + 25) | 1h 45m 65 marks (40 multiple choice + 25) | 36% |
| Paper 2 | Short-answer and extended-response questions | 1h 30m 50 marks | 2h 30m 80 marks | 40% |
| Scientific investigation | Written report, up to 3,200 words | 10 hours 24 marks | 10 hours 24 marks | 24% |
Sources: IB SEHS subject brief, first assessment 2026; IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026.
In total, SL students sit 3 hours of exams and HL students sit 4 hours 15 minutes. The weightings are the same at both levels: 76% exams and 24% IA.
Useful exam details from the guide:
- Paper 1A and 1B are sat together, without a break.
- No marks are deducted for wrong multiple-choice answers, so answer every question.
- Calculators are allowed in both papers, and you get a clean copy of the SEHS data booklet.
- SL papers test SL content only. HL papers test SL and additional HL content.
- In calculations, trigonometry is not assessed. Calculations are limited to three terms at SL and four at HL.
Sitting SEHS in November 2026? See our November 2026 exam schedule for your paper dates.
Assessment Objectives
| Objective | What you need to show |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Knowledge of terminology, facts and concepts And of skills, techniques and methodologies |
| AO2 | Understanding and application of terminology and concepts And of skills, techniques and methodologies |
| AO3 | Analysis, evaluation and synthesis of experimental procedures Primary and secondary data And trends, patterns and predictions |
| AO4 | The skills needed to carry out insightful and ethical investigations |
The IB says Papers 1 and 2 are each split roughly 50% AO1 and AO2 and 50% AO3. AO4 is assessed only through the scientific investigation.
Command Terms
| Assessment objective | Command terms |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Label List State |
| AO2 | Annotate Apply Calculate Describe Distinguish Estimate Outline |
| AO3 | Analyse Compare Contrast Deduce Determine Discuss Evaluate Explain Interpret Predict Sketch Suggest |
Source: IB SEHS guide, first assessment 2026.
What Has Changed From the Previous Course?
- A new syllabus structure. The content is now organised into three themes, with subject-specific concepts and more flexibility for teachers to plan their own pathway.
- The four option topics have been removed. These were optimising physiological performance, psychology of sports, physical activity and health, and nutrition for sports, exercise and health. Some content from each option is now part of the main syllabus.
- All students sit two papers. Paper 1 now includes data-based questions (1B) as well as multiple choice (1A).
- The IA allows small-group collaboration, with unique data for each student.
- The IA criteria have changed. Half the marks are now for conclusion and evaluation.
- The group 4 project has become the collaborative sciences project.
Tips for Success in IB SEHS
We asked our IB tutors for their advice on succeeding in SEHS:
- Connect the themes. The IB says the links between physiology, biomechanics and psychology are central to the course. Practise explaining one performance situation from all three angles.
- Get comfortable with data. Paper 1B is built around data and experimental work. Practise reading graphs, spotting trends and judging the reliability of results.
- Know your data booklet. It contains the equations and anatomy diagrams you need, so practise using it rather than memorising them.
- Treat practical work as revision. Experimental questions draw on the skills you build in class, so keep clear notes on methods and results.
- Plan your IA around evaluation. Half the IA marks are for conclusion and evaluation, so leave enough time to analyse your data properly.
- HL students: practise the physics. Forces, motion and movement has the biggest HL time increase, so practise calculations and diagrams regularly.
- Learn your command terms. Words like "outline", "explain" and "evaluate" tell you what each answer needs. See our guide to command terms for IB SEHS.
- Use the right past papers. Papers from the previous course can help you practise, but skip questions on the old options and check each topic against the new syllabus.
💡 Find out why past papers are the ultimate tool for IB exam preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Studying from old-course notes without checking. The options and the old topic structure no longer apply.
- Learning the themes in isolation. Strong answers connect physiology, biomechanics and psychology.
- Neglecting data skills. Data-based questions are a fixed part of Paper 1.
- Rushing the IA evaluation. Conclusion and evaluation carry half of the IA marks.
- Choosing an IA question you cannot measure. Make sure you can collect enough reliable data to answer your research question.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the new IB SEHS course first examined?
The new course was first taught in August 2024 and first examined in May 2026.
Are there still options in IB SEHS?
No. The four options have been removed, and some of their content has been added to the main syllabus for all students.
What is the difference between SL and HL?
HL students study additional content, such as fatigue and recovery, fluid mechanics and imagery, with 180 hours of syllabus content compared with 110 at SL. HL exams are longer (4 hours 15 minutes compared with 3 hours) and carry more marks. The weightings and the IA are the same at both levels.
Do I need to have studied science before?
Not for SL: the IB says students can succeed with no science background. For HL, some previous formal science education is expected.
How much is the IA worth?
The scientific investigation is worth 24% of your final grade at both SL and HL. The report can be up to 3,200 words.
Can SEHS be my group 4 science?
Yes. SEHS is a group 4 science in the Diploma Programme.
Is SEHS useful for university?
SEHS builds a strong base for studying sports science, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, nutrition, sports psychology and related health fields. Check each university's subject requirements, as some courses ask for Biology or Chemistry as well.
Get Support With IB SEHS
SEHS rewards students who connect the science, handle data confidently and evaluate their own work. Our experienced IB SEHS tutors can help you master each theme, plan a strong scientific investigation and prepare for your exams, online wherever you are.
