Formula for calculating percent increase of heart rate:
(Heart rate after jumping jacks) – (resting heart rate)
% Increase= __________________________________________________________________ X 100
(resting heart rate)
Conclusion:
From our processed data and graphs, it is clear that our results were in accordance with our null hypothesis; there is no correlation between BMI and heart rate. Before this experiment, we predicted that the higher the BMI, the higher the percent increase from resting heart rate to heart rate after exercise. After we finished collecting raw data from 20 subjects, we processed this data and calculated the percent increase of heart rate, and our results showed that there is no relationship between Body Mass Index and heart rate with respect to exercise. No statistical analysis was necessary due to the lack of correlation between the two variables. According to outside sources, there does in fact exist a correlation between BMI’s and heart rates; higher BMI’s signify unhealthiness and/or obesity, so the higher BMI’s should have a higher percent increase of heart rate after exercise. This proves that there were many shortcomings in our lab, as outside research indicates that our results should have matched our alternate hypothesis.
Evaluation/ Improvements:
The biggest reason this experiment failed to yield accurate/expected results was due to the fact that there were too many external variables that we could not control. For instance, there were many different factors affecting the subjects while we were testing them. The clothing that was worn was different for each individual and the amount of heat could have potentially interfered by increasing heart rates. Some of our subjects stated they had drunk coffee or red bull earlier in the day so due to the caffeine; their resting heart rates were abnormally high. The varying degrees of athleticism in our subject base could also skew the results for those who are often exposed to exercise experienced very minimal change in heart rate after exercise. Those who weren’t fit, however, did. The speed each subject did the jumping jacks also varied between subjects, which could have lead to potentially faster heart rates in some subjects as they were doing more jumping jacks within the minute. This could be improved by setting a uniform pace for all subjects to do their jumping jacks in accordance to. The method of measuring the heart rates was also inaccurate and open to error, and some subjects were confused on how to count their own heartbeats. Other measurements, including the height and weight needed to acquire Body Mass Index numbers, were also estimated or exaggerated by some subjects. This threw off our BMI calculations, which in turn throws off our analysis of the correlation. If we were to redo this experiment, we would attempt to control all of these external factors that skewed our data. We would inform our subjects of the experiment beforehand as to minimize the number of variables that could affect heart rate (i.e. consumption of caffeine, uniform inappropriate clothing, etc.). This will give us a more normal population to test. The method of calculating BMI would also be altered to a more accurate method by providing on the spot scales to measure height and weight. We should also alter the method for counting heart rates to a more uniform method. This could be done through the usage of heart monitors, which will provide more accurate heart rate calculations. Through better control of the external environment and outside forces, and the setting of more uniform guidelines for each subject would minimize abnormalities and inaccuracies in our data collection, which will give us better, more accurate results.