Section B: Calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Maximum Heart Rate achieved
- Using a Digital Weighing Scale measure the weight of the two Subjects in kilograms.
- Using the Measuring Tape measure their height from head to toe in meters.
- Using the BMI formula, calculate the Body Mass Index of both the Subjects,
- 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 week and lasts for 2 weeks.
- Record the Heart Rate of the Subject.
- First a warm up lap should be taken for a distance of 400 m. This is a slow jog.
- Then at medium pace, the Subjects should run for 150 m seconds.
- After that, the Subjects should sprint for 50 m.
- A Medium paced run should follow this immediately for 100m.
- In the end, the subjects should jog for 100 m and then sprinting the last 100 meters.
- After the Program is over, immediately take the Pulse Rate readings.
- Repeat steps 6 – 7 for both the Subjects.
- Record your readings and organize them in tabular form.
- Repeat the Program if necessary.
* The Intensive Exercise Program is to be conducted Three times a week and for 2 weeks.
Variables
We do this experiment to find out the cause and effect of relationships between quantities. There are 3 types of variables in this experiment. The Independent Variable is the one which is constantly changed in the experiment. The Dependent Variable is the one that changes in response to the Independent Variables. The hence “depend” on the Independent Variables. Control Variables are kept constant in the experiment so as only the Independent Variables affect the Dependent Variables and not any other factor.
Independent Variables
- Fitness of Subject
- Intensive Exercise Program
- Age of Subject
- Mass of Subject
Dependent Variables
- Heart Rate/ Pulse Rate of Subject
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of Subject
Control Variables
- Sex of Subjects
- Atmospheric Conditions in which each exercise was conducted for both the Subjects.
Exercise Jogging
Results
A Note about both the Subjects
Subject 1: (a) Gender = Male
(b) Age = 20 years
(c) Weight (+0.05 kg) = 64 kilograms
(d) Height (+0.5 cm) = 165 cm (5 feet 6 inches)
(e) BMI = (64/ (1.65 x 1.65)) = 23.51 (2 decimal places)
(f) Normal Pulse Rate/ Heart Beat (at Rest) = 84 beats/ minute
Subject 2: (a) Gender = Male
(b) Age = 40 years
(c) Weight (+0.05 kg) = 85 kilograms
(d) Height (+0.5 cm) = 175 cm (5 feet 10 inches)
(e) BMI = (85/ (1.75 x 1.75)) = 27.76 (2 decimal places)
(f) Normal Pulse Rate/ Heart Beat (at Rest) = 75 beats/ minute
Table 1: To Test the Fitness of the two Subjects
Note the normal BMI range is 19 – 25 kg/ m2
Table 2: Time Taken for Heart Beat to come back to Normal
Table 3: Intensive Exercise Program
Subject 1:-
Subject 2:-
A Note about both the Subjects after 2 weeks of Intensive Exercise Program
Subject 1: (a) Gender = Male
(b) Age = 20 years
(c) Weight (+0.05 kg) = 62.4 kilograms
(d) Height (+0.5 cm) = 165 cm (5 feet 6 inches)
(e) BMI = (62.4/ (1.65 x 1.65)) = 22.92 (2 decimal places)
(f) Normal Pulse Rate/ Heart Beat (at Rest) = 84 beats/ minute
Subject 2: (a) Gender = Male
(b) Age = 40 years
(c) Weight (+0.05 kg) = 84.5 kilograms
(d) Height (+0.5 cm) = 175 cm (5 feet 10 inches)
(e) BMI = (84.5/ (1.75 x 1.75)) = 27.59 (2 decimal places)
(f) Normal Pulse Rate/ Heart Beat (at Rest) = 75 beats/ minute
Note: The two Subjects were given a fixed diet that they had to follow during the experiment. This diet lasted for 14 days or two weeks and was accepted by both of the Subjects. The diet is given in the table below:
Conclusion
It can be concluded that my experiment was successful and my Intensive Exercise Program did have effect on the two Subjects even though it lasted for only two weeks. My results support my statement.
After the end of two weeks, the two subjects were re-weighed and their BMI was recalculated. It was noticed that there was a mass change in both the Subjects. Subject 1; aged 20 years lost the largest weight of 1.6 kilograms. While on the other hand, Subject 2 whose is aged 40 years lost only ½ kilogram from 85 kilograms to 84.5 kilograms (+0.05kg). It can be clearly noticed the effect of age on the amount of work done. A relationship can be derived with the amount of work done and the weight lost. Subject 1 whose is 20 years old does a larger amount of work i.e. burns more calories while running in comparison with the 40 year old Subject 2. There is effect of mass too. A heavy mass slows down the movements of the body. Subject 2 had slower movements as he had a mass of 85 kg while Subject 1 had quicker movements as its weight was 64 kg. The overall physique also has effects on the fitness. Subject 1 was tall and had a slim body. Subject 2 however appeared very bulky and had fat deposits around the waist (observations).
Secondly, as age increases, the muscles get weaker and the potential to run quickly is lost. This is the main reason why Subject 2 has a lower average speed than that of Subject 1. The blood also plays an important role here. As you get old, the Oxygen carrying capacity of the blood also reduces. As a result less Oxygen reaches to the muscles. And as a result the muscles start respiring anaerobically. This further produces lactic acid in the muscles. Anaerobic respiration however produces less energy in comparison with Aerobic Respiration. Anaerobic respiration only triggers off when there is lack of Oxygen or inadequate Oxygen is supplied by the blood.
Heart Rate also decreases with an increase in age. The low Pulse Rate also signifies that Less Oxygenated Blood is being transported and this causes more stress on the heart. This statement is supported by the two Pulse rate readings of the both the Subjects. The joints also become stiff. And it should be noted that after the exercise got over, Subject 2 would have leg aches. The BMI of both the Subjects has also changed. Due to the decrease in mass, their BMI too have decreased as there was no change in height. The BMI of Subject 1 reduced to 22.92 kg/m2 from 23.51 kg/m2. But nevertheless the BMI of Subject 2 is 27.59 kg/m2. This is considerably high as the BMI range is 19 – 25. But however my Intensive Exercise Program was successful in reducing his mass by ½ kilograms.
The time taken for the Pulse Rate to come back to its normal rate justifies how fit the person is. Subject 1’s Heart Rate during the Intensive Programs came back to normal at the end of 5 minutes but on more practice it came back to normal much earlier at 4 minutes. The fitness of the Subject has also increased as the Pulse Rate did fall below 84 beats/ minute to 83 beats/ minute. Subject 2’s Heart Rate did not come back to its normal rate within 5 minutes. The heart also pumped faster than that of Subject 1 to meet the demands. The heart works on a Demand and Supply relationship. When there are high Demands for Oxygen by the muscles, then the Heart starts pumping faster. If it cannot meet the Demands then there Anaerobic Respiration is practiced. That is why after every lap, Subject 2 was noticed panting heavily.
Focusing on the individual performance of both the Subjects, it can be commented that their fitness has improved and my Intensive Exercise Program has had some effect on their bodies. It should be noticed that during the two weeks, the performance of both the Subjects has improved. This can be stated as their overall speeds have improved and the time they take to complete the program has reduced.
The main factor being tested was Age. Subject 1 and Subject 2 were 20 sand 40 years old. Anyone can be ‘fit’ but Age does affect the Strength, Speed and Endurance. Another factor that was tested here was the kind of diet that they had. A complete diet should have all the important nutrients and vitamins that are needed for the well-being of an individual. The factor of a healthy diet was included in this experiment. The diet offered had all the essential nutrients that are needed on a daily basis. The body needs certain substances for energy, growth and repair. Like proteins are needed for muscle repair and tissue growth. Calcium and Phosphorous are needed for Healthy Bones and Teeth. If one doesn’t eat a healthy diet the body would not function properly.
Factors Affecting the Fitness of a Person:
- Age
- Muscles get weaker
- Bones get lighter
- Heart Rate decreases
- Joints get stiff
- Movements become slow
- Body Fat increases and they deposit
- Mass
- A Heavy mass causes slow movements
- Body is inflexible and very rigid
- Heart Rate/ Pulse Rate
- Less Oxygenated blood is transported
- More stress is on the heart.
- Body Mass Index
- Heavy mass in a Small area
So as to conclude, it can be commented that my Intensive Exercise Program did prove to have effect on the two Subjects. Their weight and their BMI changed and it shows positive results.
Evaluation
The Experiment was successful as fair results were observed but however there were unavoidable errors that occurred in the experiment. The major error in the experiment was counting the Pulse Rate of the Subject. There might have been a miscounting or miscalculation of the Pulse Rate which further leads to erroneous results i.e. a single beat might have been skipped. Also the blood type was not included. A blood high in Hemoglobin transports more Oxygen efficiently than a low Haemoglobin blood. The Haemoglobin level of both the Subjects was not taken account of and hence might have also played a role. During the lap, Subject 2 would stop for some time for catching their breath and then continue on with their run. This too is an error. Also after each lap, when the Pulse Rate had to be measure manually about 7 seconds were used up in finding the vein which gave the Pulse i.e. from the Pulse Rate was recordable. Hence this could have been avoided by using a Digital Heart Rate Recorder. But this instrument was not used as I thought that it would take lot of time to strap on the instrument and then measure the Pulse Rate readings. Also as a safety measure we could not have it already attached while the Subject is conducting the program. The Digital Weighing Scale has an inaccuracy of +0.05kg and the stop watch of +0.005s. The stop watch might not have been stopped or started at the correct time. The two subjects also did not run at the same speed in all the experiments. The BMI values are also altered by the height of the two Subjects and their individual masses. The BMI readings can:
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.
Other than this no serious problems were faced during the experiment. Good readings were observed.
Fair Test
- The subjects of the same Sex were used for the experiments.
- To gain fair results and understand the relationship between fitness and age better, Subjects of different ages were chosen for the experiments.
- A designed diet plan was given to the Subjects prior to the experiment so that the factor of Diet did not involve in the experiment.
- Only after the subject finished the course, the Pulse Rate was measured.
- It was made sure that the Subjects did not stop when the experiment was in progress.
Errors in the Experiment
- One might have skipped a beat while counting the Pulse Rate.
- Stop swatch might not have started or stopped at the right time.
- Subjects were stopping in middle of exercise to catch their breath.
- Subjects not running at the same speed in all the laps.
Improvements
- Test for other factors like Sex, Diet, etc.
- Use a Digital Pulse Rate Recorder
- Verify the effect of one factor only instead of multiple factors. For example: only BMI can be tested for its effects and other factors should be kept constant.
- One can also test the effect of Drugs and Alcohol on their fitness.