Factors Affecting the Fitness of an Individual

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Romin Parekh

X – B

Biology Lab Experiment

Factors Affecting the Fitness of an Individual

Aim: To find out the factors those affect the fitness of a person by experimental techniques.

Key Definitions

Exercise

Exercise helps one to keep fit. By exercising daily on a regular basis, the various systems of the body adapt to these changes in order to cope with the stresses that is forced on to them due to the exercise. The body can be trained to become stronger, faster and more flexible.

Fitness

It is the ability of the body systems to cope with the stresses placed upon them. The more demands the body is able to achieve, the more efficiently the body copes and hence the fitter the person is said to be.

The Maximum Heart Rate a body can achieve can be derived from the following formula:

Maximum Heart Rate = 220 – Person’s Age (yrs.)

For Example

Person’s Age = 15 years

Maximum Heart Rate = 220 – 15 = 205 beats/minutes

Factors to Test

  • Age
  • Mass
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Heart Beat per Minute/ Pulse Rate

Equipment Needed

Note

The two Subjects should be:

  1. Of Different Ages
  2. Of Same Sex/ Gender
  3. Of Different Masses
  4. Not Physically or Mentally Handicapped

Plan

First I will test the fitness of the two individuals before implementing my exercise training plan. To test their fitness, I will measure their Pulse Rate at rest and then ask them to run for 200 meters. After running I will measure their Pulse rate again and note down any changes. I will also measure the time taken for this Pulse rate to come back to its normal Pulse rate. After this I will calculate the Maximum Heart Rate they can achieve and also their Body Mass Index (BMI). I will now start my Intensive Exercise Plan and after the period of 2 weeks (exercise conducted 3 times per week) I will test for their fitness again to note for any changes in the Heart Rate and the Time Taken to complete the distance of 200 meters. Also I will check if there was any change in mass of the two subjects. This will ensure that whether my Intensive Exercise Plan was successful or not.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI signifies the total body fat, which can be further related to the risk of disease. The score is valid for both the genders but it does have some limits. The limits are:

A) It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.

B) It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

Body Mass Index (kg/ m2) = Weight (Kg)/ Height (m) x Height (m)

Method

The method is sub-divided into many sections for easy understanding.

Section A: Calculating the Fitness before the Intensive Exercise Program

  1. Make notes of the Subject who is going to run first. (Name, Sex, Age, Mass, etc.)
  2. Place your fingers gently on the right wrist as shown in the diagram below.
  3. Count the number of Heart Beats in the first 60 seconds.
  4. Then ask the subject to run a distance of 200 meters.
  5. After running the distance of 200 meters, measure his Pulse Rate again (Steps 2 & 3).
  6. Start the Stop Watch as soon as you start counting the first Heart Beat.
  7. Do not stop the Stop Watch after 1 minute. Instead continue it up to 5 minutes.
  8. Record your readings for the first Subject. Repeat steps 1 – 8 thrice for each subject.
  9. Repeat steps 1 – 8 for the second Subject.
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Section B: Calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Maximum Heart Rate achieved

  1. Using a Digital Weighing Scale measure the weight of the two Subjects in kilograms.  
  2. Using the Measuring Tape measure their height from head to toe in meters.
  3. Using the BMI formula, calculate the Body Mass Index of both the Subjects,
  4. Record your readings and calculations done.

Section C: The Intensive Exercise Program

My Intensive Exercise Program is as follows. You should make sure that the Subjects follow it regularly. This program is conducted thrice in a ...

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