Equipment:
Stop-watch
Trainers
Method:
I will firstly take my pulse rate for minute.
Then I will jog on the spot at a constant rate for one minute.
After, I will take my pulse rate again for one minute.
I will then allow my pulse rate to return to normal.
Then I will jog on the spot for two minutes.
Take pulse rate again for one minute.
I will then repeat the experiment, going up in consecutive numbers until I have done jogging for five minutes.
For this to be a fair test I will repeat the experiment three times in order to have an overall average so that I have more of an accurate result. I will also have to take my own pulse rate throughout the experiment because if someone else were to take it as well as me, it would not be a fair test, therefore the results would not be precise. I will also have to make sure that every time I have carried out an exercise, I always let my pulse rate drop to the starting pulse rate, otherwise when I start the next exercise the pulse rate will be higher then what it is supposed to be. The same person will have to use the stopwatch to take the time while I exercise so that the timing is not done different each time. The exercise will have to be done where the temperature, wind, altitude etc are constant in order for it to be a fair test.
I will make sure that I jog in an area where there are no dangerous objects around which could hurt or injure me in any way and where there is enough room for me to jog properly without having to jog in a small amount of space. I might also stretch my muscles before and after I start my jogging so that I do not pull any muscles. I will also wear trainers to protect my ankles and for extra comfort while jogging.
Results:
First attempt: Second attempt:
Third attempt: Average:
I noticed that as I increased the amount of exercise that I done, my pulse rate increased also. My pulse rate increased at a steady rate.
Discussion
My results show that when the amount of exercise is increased, the pulse rate is also increased. The more exercise that is done means that more energy will be needed. In order to get more energy, respiration needs to take place at a faster rate. More oxygen is used so more carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide is a waste product and it must be removed, as it is a toxin. As a result of the extra carbon dioxide being produced, blood is pumped around the body faster in order to transport it. This process will give you a faster pulse rate.
Lactic acid is a poisonous chemical that builds up in your muscles which causes pain and stiffness and is produced due to not enough oxygen being taken in. This is known as anaerobic respiration. This can happen during the exercise, when breathing and the circulatory system cannot provide enough oxygen for our muscles to keep going aerobically. Anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic respiration. Oxygen is needed to break down lactic acid to carbon dioxide and water. The amount of oxygen that needed to get rid of the lactic acid is called the oxygen debt, which must be paid off immediately. This is the reason your heart rate stays high and it takes a while for you to get your breath back after you have stopped running because the oxygen is still being delivered to the muscles to oxidise the lactic acid. The fitter you are the quicker you recover.
Respiration is the process that releases energy from food. Substances from our food is oxidised to give carbon dioxide and water and also energy is transferred. The main substance that is oxidised is glucose. The overall equation for respiration is:
C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
Evaluation
Overall I think that my experiment produced fairly good results. I am not sure that my experiment was very accurate because I cannot be sure that I jogged at the same constant speed during the experiment.
If I could improve on this experiment I would change the method of exercise I would use. For instance, if I were to use a running machine, it would produce accurate results because I would be able to ensure that the exercise remained at a constant speed throughout the experiment.
Finally, an actual ‘pulse-meter’ might have helped the experiment to be more accurate. This is simply strapped round the chest and it measures the pulse rate during the exercise. I believe that this would produce a more accurate pulse rate instead of having to take it myself.
