Student ID # 111111111111111 Team Name: Fine Winer

Student Names: Razzle Dazzle and Twitter Glitter

Lab Assignment: Lab #6 Date: March 15, 2012

Lab Title: Comparison of Cardiovascular Stress Response to Heart Rate, Blood pressure

and Respiratory Rate

Purpose / Objective:

Measure and correlate cardiovascular metrics for both resting and aerobic conditions.

Hypotheses:

A body at rest will increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate when

physical activity / stress are prompted for a variable period of time.

There is a direct correlation between aerobic activity and increased metrics.

Within an individual heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate will respond

differently to varied conditions of stress.

Physical health, age and BMI will show direct correlations

Heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate will overall respond differently to varied

conditions of stress.

Metrics will decrease from peak to 10 minute post exertion resting phase for all

cases.

Female vs. Male data is expected to show a difference in blood pressure, heart rate and

respiratory rate.

Males in all cases of stress are expected to show higher metrics than woman.

My personal data is expected to be consistently higher than other females in my class.

Having a categorized obese BMI, my metrics will show a direct correlation to

expectably high cardiovascular metrics.

Materials / Subjects / Specimens:

Three specimens were measured

One male and two females

A personal iPhone was used to accurately time heart rate beats per minute for each

subject

Respiratory rate was measured in breaths per minute

Blood pressure was measured using a Stethoscope and a Sphygmomanometer (blood

pressure cuff)

Methods / Tools / Instrumentation / Procedures:

• Stethoscope, Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and personal iPhone were used to

make all measurements

• Measured resting heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure while sitting

• Measured resting heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure while standing

• Measured resting heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure while in supine position

• Specimens heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were measured after an elevated

5 minute walk

• Specimens heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were measured at 3 minute

recovery, 6 minute recovery and 10 minute recovery

• With the blood pressure cuff deflated and the air valve closed, the cuff was wrapped around

each specimens arm. The end of the Stethoscope was placed under the blood pressure

cuff. The blood pressure cuff was inflated to a little above 180 mm Hg. (This collapses the

major arteries in the arm) Air was then slowly released by gently turning the air valve, and

the drop in pressure was watched.

Results:

Table #1 and figure #1 summarize blood pressure statistics for all sample populations by

gender. For all subjects, average blood pressure dramatically rises from resting to an increased

peak at the time of exercise. The most prominent observation to be made is that from the time

of peak elevation to the 10 minute resting recovery mark there is a significant decrease in blood

pressure. See attachments Graph #1 & #2

Table #2 summarizes my personal respiratory rate and the average respiratory rates for the

females in my Biology 105 class pre 5 minute aerobic exercise. With a BMI (shown in figure #2)

that is established as obese there is a direct correlation between my height/weight/age(shown in

figure#4) and my resting respiratory rates. The most prominent observation is that when in

supine position my respiratory rate decreases dramatically compared to my siting and standing

resting respiratory rates. See Graph #3 in Attachments

Table 1

Figure 1

Height Weight Age BMI Respiratory

Rate Rest

Sit

Respiratory

Rate Rest

Stand

Respiratory

Rate Rest

Sup

Me (SMD) 67 180 24 28 32 35 19

F Means 66 173 26 27 27 22 18

Table #3 summarizes metrics for female and male means. Table #3 shows the direct correlation

between average heart rates for females and average heart rates for males in varied conditions

of stress. The table indicates males have a higher resting heart rate in sitting, standing, and

supine position but females have a higher metrics like heart rate at peak elevation and all

recovery phases. Also see in figure #4 where the only phase that is higher for females is

recovery.

Figure #2

Table #2

Table #3

Figure#3

Table #4 shows how individual woman at various ages differ in metrics.

The table below (table 4) shows direct correlations between age and both respiratory rate and

also heart rate from resting through recovery post exercise phases. The table shows that

individuals within a controlled group do vary in metrics. The most prominent observation is that

subject F4 whom is the oldest female subject has the lowest resting heart rate but is perfectly

average with the other female subjects when it comes to respiratory rate. Figure #5 shows an

example of target heart ranges for adults based on age courtesy of the American Heart

Association.

0 50 100 150 200

Var

ible

Po

ints

of

Blo

od

Pre

ssu

re Female Means

Male Means

Code Notes AgeHt Rate Rest

Sit

Resp Rate

Rest Sit

Ht Rate Rest

Sup

Respiratory

Rate Rset

Sup Ht Rate Elev

Resp Rate

Elev

Ht Rate Rec

3

Resp Rate

Rec 3

Ht Rate Rec

10

Resp Rate

Rec 10

F1 SMD 24 70 32 81 19 86 45 87 22 71 14

F2 KAH 26 66 34 68 27 76.5 47 70.5 32 69 20

F3 PMD 29 76 12 80 17 128 18 96 13 86 9

F4 LAS 32 60 29 82 10 100 17 94 21 84 17

Figure #4

Table #4

Analysis / Discussion:

Our hypothesis that men would have higher metrics in all aspects of varied stresses was

disproven. Even though our data collected in class showed the average males heart rate was

higher in resting phases as soon as the aerobic exercise peaked the heart rate for the woman it

remained higher than the men’s throughout the recovery phases. The fact the correlation does

not hold true in the peak and post aerobic phases might possibly indicate an error in our

mechanism or in the data we speculated. In fact we learned that heart rate of men is lower than

women because size of the heart in men is 25% larger than in women. Larger heart can pump

more blood than smaller heart in one beat. Another reason of low heart rate in men than women

is capacity of lungs in men is 25-30% higher than women. Men are generally larger with a larger

muscular structure allowing the heart to pump blood harder throughout the body generating and

spreading oxygen which causes dilation of blood vessels. Men were more likely to have

Figure #5

engaged in moderate to-vigorous PA [Physical activity] 3 times per week than women (60.3%

versus 53.1%, respectively) according to the American Heart Association, which can contribute

to better heart health and the steady line of decrease in heart rate on Graph #4 in attachments.

Our hypothesis that an individual heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate will

respond differently to varied conditions of stress was validated. There is a direct correlation

associated with the increase in metrics associated with the stress of exercise. Results

demonstrate that as you grow older, you may not be able to tolerate as much exercise as you

once did. It takes longer for the pulse to increase when exercising, and longer to slow back

down after exercise. The maximum heart rate reached with exercise is lowered as age

increases. There are a lot of variables that affect an individual’s metrics, such as environmental

factors, health and overall fitness levels. Heart rate can vary as the body’s need to absorb

oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as during exercise. Our bodies naturally

regulate metrics, with built in mechanisms like perspiring to control body temperature. Aging

decreases one's ability to sweat. Some older adults find it more difficult to tell when they are

becoming overheated.

In proving our hypothesis we concluded that upright exercise caused systolic blood

pressure to gradually increase while diastolic blood pressure remains about the same when

being compared to resting blood pressure (Refer to Graph #1 in Attachments). Diastolic

pressure when the pressure is weakest, may even decrease due to vasodilation which is the

slight dilation of blood vessels caused by the heart pumping harder to spread more oxygen

throughout the body. The systolic number shows pressure at peak times when heartbeats force

blood through the veins. During exercise systolic pressure is effected the most (also shown in

Graph #1) since it is directly connected to how the heart operates. Contracting muscles and the

narrowing of blood vessels is a contributing factor in increased blood pressure. There was a

significant increase in our data for all subject means with systole blood pressure and just as our

research has shown the diastole blood pressure remained about the same, only varying 3-4

units between resting and peak elevated metrics.

Our hypothesis that metrics will decrease from peak to 10 minute post exertion resting

phase for all cases was validated. There is a direct correlation between the decreases from

peak to 10 minute post exertion resting phase for all cases due to the decrease in activity level.

(Refer to Graph #2 in Attachments) As activity level decreases, vasopressor agents that

increase heart rate are decreased in a reverse feedback loop of blood pressure homeostasis.

With the more volume of blood entering the heart, the more will be pumped out. With a lower

blood return after exercise, the heart will respond by beating slower and less force per beat. The

adult heart at rest normally beats at a rate of 60 to 100 bpm (beats per minute). According to the

Mayo Clinic trained athletes normally have a resting heart rate as low as 40 to 60 bpm-.

Children below the age of 10 usually have higher resting heart rates than adults.

Our hypothesis that my obese BMI directly correlated to a higher respiratory rate along

with other metrics such as my heart rate. Correlation between various cardiac parameters and

BMI in obese, showed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between

various cardiac parameters and BMI. There must be a tradeoff between getting more oxygen to

the muscles and hyperventilating. The diaphragm can only contract and relax at a certain

maximum rate; this limits the breathing rate and at the same time avoids CO2 buildup. Athletes

or highly fit individuals have a higher tolerance to the higher rate of breathing during aerobic

exercise, allowing them to maintain lower pulse and blood pressure while transporting sufficient

oxygen to needy cells. The correlation between BMI and resting breathing rate follows the

proportionality that exists between body weight and rate of oxygen consumption. The fact I am

larger than average females in our case study showed our hypothesis that there is a direct

correlation between BMI and respiratory rates because of the amount of oxygen needed to

supply my tissues compared to the smaller amount needed for someone 2/3 my weight. Figure

B in attachments shows another analysis table of examples of how obese BMI and Higher

cardiac parameters are positively correlated to subjects with lower/healthier BMIs.

Conclusions / Further Considerations:

In summary I have come to the conclusion that factors such as age, bmi, gender, and overall

physical health will greatly impact cardiovascular metrics pre, during and post aerobic excersise

phases.

Attachments:

Graph #1 Blood Pressure Metrics for All Mean Subjects during Resting and Peak Elevation

As hypothesized graph #1 shows in all cases from resting to the peak point after a 5

minute aerobic exercise an obvious increase in blood pressure, indicated by the top trend line

showing Systolic blood pressure. The bottom trend line compared diastolic blood pressure at

both resting and peak showing only a slight variance making diastolic pressure steady from the

resting phase to the peak phase.

Graph #2 Heart Rate of All Subject Averages from Peak Elevation Post 5 Minute Aerobic

Activity to Recovery 10 Minutes Post Activity

BP Systole Sit BP Diastole Sit BP Systole

Elevation

BP Diastole

Elevation

Graph #2 shows as hypothesized metrics will decrease from peak to 10 minute post

exertion resting phase for all cases. The Male Mean had the lowest decrease in Heart rate from

Peak to 10 Minute Recovery and the Sample Mean had the greatest decrease with a drop of

approx. 19 BPM.

Graph #3 Personal Respiratory Metrics for Resting Phases Pre Elevation and Recovery

Graph #3 shows a clearer view of as hypothesized my personal respiratory rates pre

elevation exercise were greater than those of the average female which was shown in Table #2.

Again we also can see that in correlation with my obese BMI my supine respiratory rate drops

dramatically from my sitting and standing rest metrics. Effects on Obese BMI and Normal are

visible on Figure B.

85.25

71.00

97.63

82

91.4

72.9

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

Ht Rate Elev Ht Rate Rec 10

Me

Male Mean

Female Mean

Sample Mean

Graph #4 Female vs. Male data

Graph #4 shows as hypothesized heart rate metrics for males is higher than females for

resting conditions including sitting, standing and supine. This graph shows that our hypothesis

that males would have higher metrics in all conditions was disproven by the facts of graph #4

that females actually have higher heart rate metrics at elevation from aerobic exercise, and the

3,6, and 10 minute recovery phases post exercise.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Resp Rate Rest Sit Resp Rate Rest Stand

Respiratory Rate Rset Sup

Bre

ath

s P

er

Min

ute

Respiratory Rates Pre 5 Minute Elevation Phase

Personal (SMD) Respiratory Rates

Figure B

Graph #5 and #6 show individual female heart rates and respiratory rates from resting to

recovery post exercise.

Graph #5 shows female subjects 1,2,3 and 4 that range in ages from 24 to 32 and how their

individual heart rates very when tested at resting, peak elevation and revovery post excersice.

As Hypothesized, metrics for individuals in a controlled group (females) is veried as the chart

shows in the slopes of the trend lines which helps to make observations about individual rates of

recovery and even rates of incline from resting to peak heart rate. Graph #6 shows how

respiratory rates for women of different ages varies within an individual. The rate at which the

markers are droping varies from individual to individual, no two females in this subject group

have the same rate incline or decline at any points of stress, resting or recovery. Figure C

0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

100.00

120.00

Ht Rate Rest Sit

Ht Rate Rest Stand

Ht Rate Rest Sup

Ht Rate Elev Ht Rate Rec 3

Ht Rate Rec 6

Ht Rate Rec 10

Female Mean

Male Mean

Sample Mean

Me

shows heart rates for various excersize zones of body stress and how they correlate to age.

Figure C

References

Observations:

Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aerobic-exercise/EP00002

Jonathan L Gelfand, MD, 2010, http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/exercise-healthy-

heart?page=6

M. H. Laughlin, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Univ. of Missouri & Columbia, MO,

http://ajpheart.physiology.org/content/302/1/H10.abstract

Suzanne Mendjiwa, 2010, http://www.livestrong.com/article/168986-why-does-the-heart-rate-

decrease

Raw Data:

American Heart Association, 2010, http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18.full.pdf

Skarphedinsson JO, Elam M, Jungersten L & Wallin BG (1997). Sympathetic nerve traffic

correlates with the release of nitric oxide in humans: implications for blood pressure control. J

Physiol501, 671–675.

Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through

action on the social determinants of health. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008,

http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GlobalHealthRisks_report_full.pdf

Drawings/ Diagrams/illustrations:

Kanavi Roopa Shekharappa et al. / Int J Biol Med Res. 2011; 2(2): 551-555,

http://www.biomedscidirect.com/journalfiles/IJBMRF2011173/correlation_between_body_mass_i

ndex_and_cardiovascular_parameters_in_obese_and_non_obese_in_different_age_groups.pdf

Blair M. Rowitz, MD FACS, 2001, http://obesitylifechange.com/calculator.htm

Cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary mortality: 15 year follow-up of

middle-aged men and women in castern Finland. Circulation. 1996;

93:1372-79.

Nieman, D. C. The Exercise-Health Connection. 2001,

http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/restingbp.html

Exercise Zones, http://bodyworksatl.com/movement/?page_id=107

Minute Ventilation During Moderate Exercise (15-Fold Metabolism),

http://www.normalbreathing.com/c-effects-of-exercise-on-the-respiratory-system.php

Detailed Analysis:

Anna Burkhead, Suzy Borgschulte, 2009 www.duke.edu/~arb14/bio.ppt