constant variables in heart rate experiment

The Biology Corner

Biology Teaching Resources

Investigation: How Does Exercise Affect Heart Rate

 This activity was designed for anatomy and physiology students who are studying how feedback loops work and also serves as a refresher on the scientific method and designing experiments (science and engineering practices).   

Students work in groups to develop a hypothesis about how exercise affects the heart rate.  This is fairly obvious for most students in my age group, but the next question asks them to determine the recovery time and compare how recovery times differ for individuals.

The group is responsible for designing the experiment, so they must determine how many individuals they will test, what type of exercise will be done and how they will measure heart rate, though a diagram is provided to give them a clue to measure using pulse rate.   

During this phase of the activity, I circulate among groups and help them with the details of their plan.

The final analysis  uses a CER format where students make a CLAIM that answers the experimental questions, and then provide a summary of their evidence.  Finally students discuss reasons for their observations by linking the results to their understanding of the physiology of the heart.

I often do this activity at the beginning of the year, but it could also be included in the chapter on the circulatory system.   It’s also possible, if you are short on time, to do an abbreviated version of this activity where you give students more direct instruction on how to take their pulse and have them do some light activity and just compare their own rate increase and recovery time.

Grade Level:  9-12 Time Required:  30 -45 minutes

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices :   1. Asking questions (for science)  2. Developing and using models 3. Planning and carrying out investigations 4. Analyzing and interpreting data

HS-LS1-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Shannan Muskopf

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Easy Heart Rate Investigation for Kids

July 24, 2013 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

The heart is a muscle that functions as a very powerful pump to transport blood around the body. It beats between 60 and 100 times a minute but can beat even faster than that if needed. The blood transports nutrients and oxygen to cells in the body, and waste products are removed. The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs, while the left pumps it to the rest of the body.

Just before each beat, the heart fills with blood. It then contracts, which squeezes the blood along.

When you need more energy, such as when running, the heart beats faster to pump more oxygen around the body. When your heart beats, it sends a wave of pressure through all your veins. You can feel this pressure in some areas of the body (such as when a vein passes over a piece of bone). We call this your pulse. One place to feel your pulse is on your wrist in a straight line at the base of your thumb.

If you count your pulse for 1 minute, that gives you your pulse rate. You can do it for shorter periods, but you must remember to convert it to beats per minute. So, if you time it for 30 seconds, you would have to double your pulse count to get the number of beats per minute.

When the heart beats faster, the pulse rate is higher.

Heart Rate Investigation

How does exercise affect heart rate.

• A stopwatch
• Space to move around

How to set up a heart rate investigation

• Record pulse rate at rest by counting pulse beats on the wrist for 1 minute.
• Run around outside or do star jumps for 1 minute.
• Immediately record pulse rate again
• Rest for 1 minute.
• Record pulse rate again.
• Find out how long it takes for the pulse rate to return to the resting level.

Use my handy heart rate and exercise investigation results table to record your results or design your own!

This activity helps children understand

The heart pumps to circulate blood around the body.

The effect of exercise on pulse rate.

For younger children, draw around them on a big sheet of paper and mark where the heart is.

More human body science for kids

Did you know you can make a stethoscope with a cardboard tube and tape?

We love this DNA candy model !

Make a model of a heart or a model of a lung .

This digestion mode l for kid s is also great fun!

Finally, how about a play dough model of the brain ?

Science concepts

Circulation

Last Updated on June 25, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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