May/June, 2003, Biology Experiment: Heart Beat Health	- Purpose - Background Information - Equipment & Supplies - Experimental Procedure - Data Analysis - Conclusions and Extensions

PASPORT Exercise Heart Rate Sensor (PS-2129)

Purpose:

Background Information:

All types of exercise involve muscle movement,from aerobic sports like running to strength-building sports like weight training. As muscles move during exercise, the rest of the body's systems work together to meet the demands of the muscles, which are trying to generate energy, dispose of waste products and dissipate heat in order to keep functioning. Working muscles require oxygen in order to generate energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The more strenuous the exercise, the more ATP is required. As exercise intensity increases, the cardiac muscle of the heart must work harder to pump oxygenated blood to all muscles. To get the most out of exercise, to become more fit, or to develop world-class ability in a sport, muscles need to have their oxygen requirements met in the most efficient manner possible. The more effectively the circulatory and respiratory systems work together, the more efficiently oxygen will be delivered to the muscles.

When it comes to the heart, regular exercise results in both an increase in stroke volume (a larger heart) and a decrease in the resting heart rate. Because there is a limit to the maximum heart rate, the difference between the resting heart rate and the exercising heart rate of a trained athlete will be greater than for an average individual. A greater increase in heart rate during exercise, along with larger stroke volume, increases an athletes cardiac output. More oxygenated blood flows efficiently to the athletes working muscles. Measuring the difference between the resting heart rate and the heart rate during exercise can give a relative indication of overall fitness level.

The PASPORT Exercise Heart Rate Sensor measures a subject's heart rate before, during and after physical activity based on electrical signals generated by cardiac muscle. A belt worn around the ribcage houses a wireless transmitter. The voltage output from the receiver allows DataStudio software to produce the heart rate graph.

Hypothesize: What is your average heart rate at rest? How quickly will it increase, and how high will it get as you perform mild exercise? How quickly does your heart recover after exercise ends?

Back to top

Equipment and Supplies:

Back to top

Experimental Procedure:

1. The test subject will need to wear the transmitter belt around the upper part of his/her chest. Although wearing the belt so that the electrodes make direct skin contact results in the most accurate readings, the belt can be worn over a thin shirt or held in the hands. Refer to the Quick-Start card that comes with the sensor for detailed information about belt placement.
   
   
2. The Exercise Heart Rate Sensor operates like a receiver to pick up signals transmitted by the belt. To optimize reception, keep the sensor in a vertical orientation within 1 meter of the belt. Decide on which sensor placement option will work best by referring to the sensor’s Quick-Start card (side 2A).
   

Data Collection & Recording

1. With the belt on and the sensor connected, have the test subject sit in a chair.
   
   
2. Click the Start button ( ) to begin recording data. Record the subject’s resting heart rate for 30-60 seconds.
   
   
3. Have the subject stand up. Observe any changes to the subject’s heart rate.
   
   
4. Have the subject run in place for 3-5 minutes. Continue to collect data, observing how the subject’s exercising heart rate changes from rest.
   
   
5. Have the subject stop running. Observe the display and watch for the subject’s heart rate to recover to the resting rate.
   
   
6. Click the Stop button ( ) to end data collection.
   
   
7. Optional: instead of running, have the subject perform an alternate type of exercise: jumping rope, using hand weights for biceps curls or similar exercise, or calisthenics. Don’t forget to test other subjects’ heart rates too!

Data Analysis:

1. Scale the axes to fit the data using the Scale to Fit button ( ) in the Graph toolbar.
   
   
2. Record and compare each test subject’s resting heart rate, maximum heart rate and recovery heart rate (1, 2, and 3 minutes post-exercise).

Conclusions and Extensions:

1. How much higher than your resting heart rate was your maximum heart rate? For what length of time do you estimate you could comfortably sustain that level of exercise intensity?
   
   
2. Does your exercise heart rate change for various forms of exercise? How long does it take your heart rate to recover for each form of exercise?
   
   
3. Based on recommendations for average healthy individuals, do some research on what ranges your resting heart rate and exercise heart rate should fall within. What kinds of activities could you participate in to improve your cardiac fitness? What are the health benefits of improved cardiac health?