PART 1 Determining Resting Heart Rate

Name: Date:

/20 T/I

Pulse Rate/Cardiac Output – Fiorio 2010

The purpose of this lab is to determine and understand the practical application of cardiac output and how exercise can estimate the cardiac reserve for individuals.

PART 1 – Determining Resting Heart Rate

·  Relax and take several slow, deep breaths (controlled inhalation and exhalation)

·  Find your heart rate either at carotid artery or radial artery (wrist)

·  Count pulses for 10 seconds or 15 seconds and then multiply by 6 or 4, respectively.

·  Repeat this procedure 2 more times to find an average Resting Heart Rate (Resting CO)

PART 2 – Effect of exercise on heart rate

·  Decide on a type of VIGOROUS exercise which you will do for 1 minute (e.g. jumping jacks, skipping, etc.)

·  After exercising for 1 minute, take pulse (same as above).

·  Allow approximately 3-5 minutes for recovery before commencing next exercise

·  Repeat this procedure 2 more times to find an average exercising heart rate (Exercising CO)

Complete the following chart:

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Before Exercise / After Exercise
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average (add, then divide by 3)
Class Average HR
My Cardiac Output (stroke volume* mL/beat X average beats/min)
Class Average CO

* Average Stroke volume is 70 mL of blood per beat – this value usually does not change

Calculate your cardiac reserve: /1 *Note: Elite athletes will have a 7X increase in CO

Cardiac Reserve = Cardiac Output after exercise – Cardiac Output before exercise

Analysis Questions

1)  Was your pulse rate higher/lower than the class average? Explain reasons for this. /2

2)  How can the heart beat be detected as a pulse? Explain.

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3)  Would wrist or neck pulse be felt first during a heart beat? Explain.

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4)  Why does our heart rate fluctuate so rapidly (i.e. rest vs exercise)? Why is regular exercise so beneficial and how does it impact our heart?

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5)  If Little Johnny breaks his clavicle (collar bone), which artery would be most at risk to be severed? If this artery was severed, which pulse (neck or wrist) would be most affected? Why?

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