|
The Effect of Exercise on Blood Pressure
|
Researched by Kierea M.
2001-02 |
|
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment was to compare the resting blood pressure
of 6th grade boys and girls and determine the change in blood pressure
caused by mild exercise.
I became interested in this idea while I was at basketball practice.
My team (a girls’ team) was doing lay-ins as were the boys’ team on the
other side I wondered whose hearts would be working harder doing
the same exercise, girls’ or boys’.
The information gained from this experiment could be used to help doctors
and medical health employees to know what types of changes certain kinds
of exercises have on blood pressure of grade school students.
HYPOTHESIS
1. My first hypothesis was that 6th boys’ blood pressure would be higher
than 6th grade girls’ blood pressure while resting.
2. My second hypothesis was that after exercising 6th grade boys’ and
6th grade girls’ blood pressure would both increase.
3. My last hypothesis was that the blood pressure when exercising would
be greater for 6th grade boys than 6th grade girls.
Top of page
I based my hypotheses on Mayo Clinic Family Medical Health, that states,
that high blood pressure occurs more in men then women until around middle
age.
EXPERIMENT DESIGN
The constants in this study were:
-
The subjects were used in the resting and exercising experiment.
-
The number of subjects of each gender.
-
The approximate age of subjects.
-
Time blood pressure is taken.
-
The time spent exercising (step test).
-
The time spent resting.
-
The type of exercise.
-
The type of instrument used to take blood pressure.
-
Position of subjects while taking blood pressure.
-
Temperature of room during testing.
The manipulated variables were the gender and the exercise.
The responding variable was the blood pressure.
To measure the responding variable I used a Portable Wrist Blood Pressure
Monitor placed on the wrist and recorded the blood pressure in millimeters
of mercury.
Top of page
MATERIALS
QUANTITY |
ITEM DESCRIPTION |
| 1 |
sphygmomanometer |
| 30 |
subjects |
| 1 |
adult supervisor |
| 1 |
area/room for testing |
| 1 |
Instruction script for experimenter |
| 1 |
stop watch |
Top of page
PROCEDURES
1. Gather the materials.
2. Obtain your subject volunteers.
3. Have one subject at a time come to experimenting location.
4. Have subject sit down and rest for three minutes.
5. While subject is resting, explain how the procedure will go and
what he/she will be doing.
6. Show the subject how to use the blood pressure monitor.
7. Take subject’s blood pressure.
8. Have subject rest for three more minutes.
9. Take second resting blood pressure test.
10. Have subject begin exercise and continue it for three minutes.
11. Take the subject’s blood pressure, subject must be in a sitting
position
12. Have the subject begin exercising again for three minutes.
13. After the exercising take subject’s blood pressure.
14. When all is done, send subject back to class or the location he
or she came from.
15. Repeat steps 1-10 on each of the other subjects
Top of page
RESULTS
The original purpose of this experiment was to compare the resting blood
pressure of 6th grade boys and girls and determine the change in blood
pressure caused by mild exercise.
The results of the experiment were that the 6th grade male’s and female’s
blood pressure were both increased by exercise. The Systolic increased
13 points on average, while the diastolic increased 5 points on average.
Males and females did not have the same blood pressure readings, but there
were no clear pattern showing one group is always higher or lower than
the other.
See the data and graphs.
CONCLUSION
My first hypothesis was that 6th boys’ blood pressure would be higher
then 6th grade girls’ blood pressure while resting.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected
the female’s systolic blood pressure was slightly higher than the boy’s,
but the male’s diastolic blood pressure was slightly higher than the girl’s.
My second hypothesis was that after exercising 6th grade boys’ and
6th grade girls’ blood pressure would both increase.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted, the girl’s
had a larger systolic blood pressure increase and the boy’s had a larger
diastolic blood pressure increase, but both increased
My last hypothesis was that the blood pressure after exercising would
be greater for 6th grade boys than 6th grade girls.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be rejected because
the girl’s blood pressure had a higher systolic than the boy’s and the
male’s had a larger diastolic blood pressure.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if the same results
would occur for age groups of people in their thirties, forties, fifties
or sixties. I also wonder if a more vigorous would increase blood pressure
more.
If I were to conduct this project again I would have a medical specialist
show me how to use a sphygmomanometer and use one while I was conducting
my experiment the "Portable Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor" seemed to give
questionable readings at times. I would also conduct more trials
and use more subjects in the experiment to have more reliable data. I would
use a different exercising method like using an exercising bicycle, also.
Top of page
| Research Report
Introduction
Health is one of the most important factors in living a long and happy
life. The circulatory system plays a very significant role in making that
happen.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system is a network that carries blood throughout
the body. It supplies cells with the food and oxygen they need to
survive. It also carries waste and carbon dioxide away from cells and helps
regulate the body’s temperature. The circulatory system carries substances
that help fight disease and another substance called hormones that help
activate the body’s system.
Parts
The circulatory system consists of three main parts; the heart, the
blood, and the blood vessels throughout the body. The heart consists
of two pumps that lie side by side. The left pump is the stronger pump
of the two. It receives blood from the lungs and sends it to cells throughout
the body. The weaker or right pump receives blood from cells and transports
it to the lungs. The septum divides the heart into two sections lengthwise
and the valves divide the heart into two sections, the top and bottom.
Each side of the heart has two chambers, one above the other. There is
a thin membrane called endocardium that lines both chambers. The
top chambers or the right atrium and left atrium receive and store blood
that is returning to the heart through veins. After the atrium (atrium
plural) is filled with blood, it squeezes the blood into the lower chambers,
the right and left ventricles. When the ventricles fill with blood they
pump it out of the heart to other parts of the body through arteries.
The ventricles are bigger and stronger than the atria.
Another part of the circulatory system is the blood vessels.
Blood vessels are a complex system of connecting tubes throughout the body.
There are three types of blood vessels; arteries, veins and capillaries.
Arteries carry blood from the heart, veins return blood to the heart and
capillaries are tiny vessels that connect arteries and veins.
The last part of the circulatory system is the blood. It consists
of a liquid called plasma, which is made mostly of water, but also consists
of minerals, protein, and other substances. In blood there are three solid
particles, usually referred to as the three elements. The three elements
are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells carry
oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells protect the body from
disease and platelets release substances so blood doesn’t clot, platelets
also prevent the body from blood loss if a vessel is injured.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the measure of pressure or tension of the blood
as it pushes against artery walls. It usually becomes higher with
age.
As you can see in the table below, high blood pressure or hypertension
can be very severe. It may cause strokes and is able to lead to death
if it is high enough. It is also known to cause blurry eyesight. You should
also be careful about keeping your blood pressure stable and not too low.
Low blood pressure or hypotension can be just as severe as high.
It also may lead to death. Be sure to get your blood pressure taken
regularly because studies have shown that severe high or low blood pressure
symptoms may not show up until years later.
Blood Pressure
Systolic
(mm of Mercury) Diastolic
(Mm of Mercury)
Normal 120-130 80-85
High Normal 130-139 85-89
Mild 140-159 90-99
Moderate 160-179 100-109
Severe 180-209 110-119
Very Severe 209 or more 119 or more
Measurements
There are two types of blood pressure, systolic and diastolic.
Systolic blood pressure is the blood pressure generated by heartbeat or
while the heart muscle is contracting. It is the higher blood pressure.
Diastolic blood pressure is the blood’s pressure between heartbeats or
while the heart is resting. It is the lower pressure. I
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. An average
blood pressure for adults is 120/80. The first number 120mm is systolic
blood pressure. The last number 80mm is diastolic blood pressure.
To take blood pressure many medical employees use a medical instrument
called a sphygmomanometer. How it works to use a sphygmomanometer you wrap
the cuff around the patient’s arm on the biceps just below the elbow. You
should be able to hear the arteries pulsate. Air is then pumped into the
cuff, causing the cuff to squeeze the arteries in the arm, which stops
the blood flow, the sound then stops. Now, air is slowly let out of the
cuff. When the pressure of the cuff is lower than blood pressure, the blood
flow returns. While the blood flow is resuming it is called Systolic pressure.
When more is air lets out of the cuff, the instrument makes a muffling
noise that is the diastolic pressure.
Another instrument sometimes used to measure blood pressure is
a "Portable Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor"; this instrument is very simple
to use. It is similar in some ways to an automatic sphygmomanometer.
The first thing you do while using it is to wrap the cuff around the patient’s
wrist tightly so it will not move during the testing, it should be as evenly
centered as possible. Make sure while putting the instrument on the subject,
they have their palm up. Before you start the process of actually taking
the blood pressure, have the patient sit down and have the blood pressure
monitor about even with the height of his or her chest. The "Portable Wrist
Blood Pressure Monitor" is electronic so all you need to do is press "on",
wait for a zero to show up on the screen and press "start". This instrument
will then tighten, stopping the blood flow, after a short time it will
automatically release the pressure slowly and show the reading of the blood’s
pressure. The systolic blood pressure reading will be the top number and
the diastolic blood pressure will be the bottom number.
Exercise
Staying in shape is a good way to maintain a healthy heart and control
your blood pressure. Body size has no apparent relationship with
the measurement of blood pressure, so no matter what size you are it is
very important to exercise to keep your body healthy and your blood pressure
down.
There are some differences in blood pressure due to gender. Females
usually have higher blood pressure than males from the time they are young
adults to middle age, then the process seems to reverse. So, usually after
middle age the average female’s blood pressure will be lower than an average
male’s blood pressure.
An unhealthy heart is a huge health risk. Check your blood pressure
regularly so you can know and control your blood pressure and keep a healthy
heart.
Top of page
|
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Crawford, Michael H. "Heart." World Book Encyclopedia, 1999, pg. 132-135.
Joint National Committee on Detection. " Blood Pressure Classifications."
11-14-2001
Kalsher, Stanley. "Blood Pressure." Academic American Encyclopedia,
1999. Pg.236
Larson, David E. M.D (Editor in Chief). Mayo Clinic (Family Health Book).
New York. William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1996. Pg684-650
Marks, Barbara. Family Health Medical Guide. U.S.A. 1989. Pg.
80, 135, 306, 387.
Rieck, James Nelson. ‘"Glucose." World Book Encyclopedia, 1999.
Sabatino, Dominick. "Blood Pressure." World Book Encyclopedia, 1999.
pg. 416.
Weisberg, Martin. "Circulatory System." World Book Encyclopedia, 1999.
pg. 559.
|
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank all of the following people for helping and supporting
me during my experiment
-
I'd like to thank my family for always supporting me in everything I do
and transporting to and from after school work classes.
-
Dr. Wolf for giving me tips on my experiment.
-
The IRB commitee for making sure my experiment was safe.
-
All of the people who particapated in my experiment because without them
none of this would be possible.
-
Mrs. Helms for helping me with my experiment.
-
Mr. Newkirk for helping me obtain all of my supplies for my project and
experiment.
Top of page
Menu of 2001-2002 Science Projects
Back to the Selah Homepage
|