The pulse rate of children is faster than of old people but an average healthy adult’s pulse is quicker than a child’s. While pulse rates between 50 and 85 per minute are considered normal, the normal rate for an average man is about 72. The pulse of an average woman is a little faster--76 to 80. The pulse rate of a newborn child may be as high as 140 per minute. The normal rate for a seven-year-old child is about 90 per minute. Slower pulse rates of 50 to 65 per minute are not unusual in elderly people.
The heart is like a pump that powers the human body. With each heartbeat, it sends vital blood throughout the body. Blood carries oxygen and food to all the body cells. When the heart stops beating, we die unless a special device like a pacemaker is used. The heart is a large, hollow, muscular organ divided into two chambers that lie side by side. Veins transport blood from all over the body to the right-sided chamber. That chamber sends the blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. The oxygenated blood then flows to the left side of the heart, which pumps it through arteries to the rest of the body. The left-sided chamber is stronger than the right chamber.
Each person’s heart is about the same size of his or her own fist. A newborn baby's heart weighs only about 20 grams. An adult's heart weighs as much as from 250 to 320 grams. The heart lies near the middle of the chest, between the lungs. The heart is situated closer to the front of the chest than to the back and slightly to the left side.
The heart, together with the arteries, the veins and the capillaries-are called the circulatory system.
Factors
The factors that I could investigate are:
∙ ’Exercise’ how different types of exercise for a set length of time can affect the rate of the pulse. The results would be shown on graphs and tables. The tests would be repeated 3 times.
∙ ’Body positions’ how different body positions affect the rate of the pulse. The pulse would be taken before then taken after. The results would be show in tables and graphs.
∙ ’Drink stimulants’ to test how different so called ‘energy’ drinks affect the rate of the pulse. Would test drinks such as Red Bull, Lucozade, coffee and tea.
The factor I have chosen to investigate is ‘exercise’. We will be performing 5 different exercises, taking the pulse before and after the exercise and then recording the results. We will be performing the exercises for a set length of time. I have chosen to do the factor ‘exercise’ because I thought that it was a more scientific factor and that I could get better results from it than of the other factors.
Equipment
This is a list of all the equipment that I will need for the investigation:
∙Stop Watch-to time how long we do the exercises for.
∙Partner-to performs the exercises and record the results
∙Paper-for our results and to make notes
∙Pen-for writing with
∙Pulses Measurer-to measure our pulse before and after each exercise.
∙Skipping Rope for exercise 4
This is a diagram showing how all our equipment will be set-up.
Method
1-Gather all the equipment that we need and set it up as above.
2-Start exercise 1 which will be jogging.
Person will begin the first exercise, which will be jogging. Their pulse will be taken and recorded. They will jog on the spot for 2 minutes. After they have finished their pulse will be taken again and recorded.
3. The steps above will be repeated 3 times for the same exercise to give an average pulse rate.
4- Start exercise 2 which will be sit-ups. Use the same steps as in 2 and 3.
5- Start exercise 3 which will be star jumps. Use same steps as in 2 and 3.
6- Start exercise 4 which will be skipping. Use same steps as in 2 and 3.
7- Start exercise 5 which will be press-ups. Use same steps as in 2 and 3.
8-After each exercise has been completed the pulse will be taken.
9- The results will be recorded.
Accuracy During Investigation
To ensure that we carry out the investigation accurately we have to think about how we use equipment and carry out each exercise.
We will make sure that the stop-clock is started and stopped at each point when it needs to be correctly.
We will make sure that we put the same amount of effort into each exercise other wise that will affect the end results.
To make sure it is a fair test we will be repeating each exercise 3 times to get a average pulse rate.
Safety
For our safety during the investigation we will not over work ourselves or work in the sun as this could cause sunstroke.
We will be repeating the tests 3 times, to make sure we get the most accurate result we can and so we can get an average pulse rate. This will make it fairer also.
My Prediction
My prediction is that exercise will affect the pulse. The exercises that are more harder to do such star jumps and jogging work you harder, so your heart beats faster and your pulse gets quicker.
