4011-Exercise Physiology: Laboratory Report
Kiara-Renee Francis
Id number:9383586
To introduce the research that has been conducted the benefits of Physical activity has shown
to have benefits across the spectrum of good wellbeing , cross-sectional studies show that
physical activity assists to issues that can impact the individuals, physical, mental and
psychological state (Warburton et al. 2006). Epidemiological studies also support the idea that
physical activity prevents the development of diseases of a chronic nature, osteoporosis,
obesity and cardiovascular disease are all classified under this category, it is evident that an
active lifestyle has many health benefits (Valle et al. 2008). Alongside the benefits there are
also modifications that come with an active lifestyle.
The use of new terminology has been used which is relevant to the research conducted, the
term of anaerobic exercise can be defined as, when the body is exercising without oxygen, the
body relies on sources of energy located in the muscles. The wastage product of metabolism in
the muscles is named as blood lactate, accumulation occurs in the blood and muscles during
anaerobic exercise. When investigating anaerobic performance fatigue index (FI) is a
measurement that is used, peak power (maximum power during exercising) and lower power
data points are used to calculate FI (Naharudin, Yusof 2013). Sports Scienctists use many
calculations to calculate the relationship between anaerobic exercise and health advantages,
mean power is the process of averaging the workload that is being done by the individual when
exercising.
The aim of the lab report is to provide results which support that with incremental exercise. The
peripheral fatigue will begin to decrease faster in males than in females. The lactate threshold
should become more efficient in both female and male subjects but substantially better in
males, previous research supports this hypothesis. Research conducted by Jenkins, Quigley
(1990) used a similar method where ergonomic bikes where used to view the individuals
maximal blood lactate threshold they also provided information that with the individuals critical
power they had begun to maintain a blood lactate plateau. In addition to the previous journal
Jones et al. (1984) also conducted a similar lab test where the ergonomic bike is also used for
an incremental progressive cycle test, their results show that the maximal pulse was higher in
males than females, they have related this to height , as with greater height comes a greater
lung size and capacity.
Method:
All procedures were followed according to the level one Sports Science laboratory manual,
Coventry University. The 33 participants used were of a mixture of both male and female, from
the age ranges of 18 -25 at a similar athletic ability with heights ranging from 1.56cm-1.91cm
and a weight range from 56.5kg-89.9kg. The test which has been conducted is called the
Wingate test which is an anaerobic test for power all participants filled out a physical readiness
questionnaire and were all deemed fit enough to partake in the test. The participant’s pre-work
heart rate is taken using a Polar heart rate monitor after 5 minutes resting time whilst wearing
the device and blood lactate using a lactate plus meter and are recorded to get a basal
measurement. The seat and handlebar were adjusted to the participant and a warmup for
several minutes is conducted, the participant was asked to perform 30 second super maximal
test meaning they cycle with their upmost power and speed. Resistance was added, which is
calculated by finding 7.5% of the individuals body mass for an example someone that weighed
85kg would have 6.375kg of resistance added to their workload, during the test the peak power
is recorded in watts to see how much power is being produced by the participant. a
measurement of blood lactate is then taken immediately after the 30 second work is
performed, it is the taken for the next ten minutes in 2-minute intervals alongside the heart
rate of the individual, to see how their blood lactate behaves after super maximal exercise, in
order for the participants wellbeing we instruct them that during the ten minutes after the test
they must keep cycling in order to allow for the body to cool down and regulate in heart rate.
After the mean power output, fatigue index is also calculated.
Calculations used:
Watts- kpm.min-1/6.123
Watts/kg= watts/ body weight (kg)
Peak power output- power(kpm.min-1)=revs x resistance (kg) x distance (m) x 60(sec)/ time
(sec)
Mean power output- peak power output/time (sec)
Fatigue index- peak power output- min power output/ peak power output x 100
Results:
1000.0
900.0
Peak Power (Watts)
800.0
700.0
600.0
500.0
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
0.0
female
male
Gender
Figure 1- relationship between the gender of the individual and the peak power output.
The figure shows that in males the average peak power output is higher overall than in female
the highest peak output in men 803 Watts whereas in women the results show the highest
output is 570.6 Watts.
700.0
Mean Power (Watts)
600.0
500.0
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
0.0
female
male
Gender
Figure 2- Relationship between the mean power output and the gender of the individual.
In this figure it shows that males averagely had a higher mean power output ay the average
peaking to 555.6 Watts where in women it only peaked to 394.3 Watts.
58.0
Fatigue Index (%)
57.0
56.0
55.0
54.0
53.0
52.0
51.0
female
male
Gender
Figure 3- The relationship between the fatigue index and the gender of the participant.
In this figure it shows that females had a higher fatigue then men at 56.2% whereas the average
male’s highest percent was 54.2%, which shows that women fatigued quicker and at a higher
rate than men overall.
14.0
12.0
Blood lactate mmol/L
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
immediate
2 min post
4 min post
6 min post
Gender
female
male
8 min post
10 min post
Figure 4 -The relationship of blood lactate with post exercise intervals as where the lactate is
taken.
From the figure it can be seen average as the intervals continue and the time becomes further
from where the initial submaximal exercise has taken place the average of blood lactate begins
to decrease, which shows as the rest and cool down progress the blood lactate begins to come
back down.
Discussion:
Figure 1 above portrays the highest average peak output was performed by the males within
the test subjects , males are averagely have a higher ratio of muscle to fat meaning the
averagely have a higher amount of power output. Research conducted by Dore et al. (2005)
also gained similar results showing that cycle peak power out was higher in males and also a
bigger lean leg volume which proves the results are because of a higher muscle mass which is
averagely found in men. In addition to higher peak power output men have also has a higher
mean power output which can also be linked to the physiological build of men in comparison to
women. Men have more muscle mass generally which influences the results in them being able
to averagely have a high-power output, some variables which effect the results are lean body
mass and thigh volume and body weight. Within males the anaerobic power(AnP) was shown to
be 35% higher than of women in the research conducted by outside researchers
(Murphy,Patton,Fredrick 1986). The last performance outcome that was recorded was fatigue
index which the results showed that men showed a lower resistance to fatigue between both
sexes. Hanjabam, Kailashiya (2015) conducted research to see fatigue index within the two
genders, physiological influences such as weight, BMI, power variables have an impact on
fatigue index. Post excercise the blood lactate results show initially after the exercise there is a
peak in blood lactate, which decreases averagely as the time intervals record the next set of
results. The sample is both practical for the results and for the speed of the individuals taking
the test, as it allows for the preparation for the lactate plus reader, it also allows for the blood
lactate to show in difference between the two minute intervals. Sung et al.(2016), conducted
research that provides a similar set of results which show the lactate levels show a diffrences
between the two minute intervals set immediately after (male, P= 0.004; female, P=0.019), 2
min after (male, P=0.001; female, P=0.035), 4 min after (male, P=0.032; female, P=0.002), and 6
min after (male, P=0.036). anaerobic energy systems also play a part in the results that have
been found, the adenosine triphosphate system (ATP) causes muscles to use short term energy
as the blood is unable to provide the oxygen quickly which causes the amount of blood lactate
to rise as, the speed and need for energy decreases the blood lactate begins to decreases and
the efficiency of the body rises back to regular levels.
Another element of carry out an investigation which needs to be considered is the validity and
reliability of the research being conducted, the variables of the 30 second sprint can be noted
as highly reproducible, the variables are the outputs, the physiological variable and cadence
which are all controlled by the conductor of the test. The low technical error also proves that
this test is highly reliable and can be repeated more than once (Driller, Argus,Kitic 2012).
Word count:1473
References:
Della Valle, D., Grimaldi,R.,Farinaro,E. (2008) ‘Importance of physical activity for prevention of
chronic diseases’ Annali di igiene: medicina preventina e di comunita 20(5), 485-493
Dore,E.,Martin,R.,Ratel,S.,Duche,P.,Bedu,M.,Van Praagh,E. (2005) ‘Gender diffrences in peak
muscle performance during growth.’ International Journal of Sports Medicine 26(4), 274-280
Driller,MW.,Argus,C.,Iritic. (2012) ‘The reliability of a 30 second sprint test on the Watt bike
Cycle Ergometer’ International Journal of sports physiology and performance 8, 379-383
Hanjabam,B.,Kailashiya,J. (2015) ‘Gender Difference in fatigue Index and its Related Physiology’
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 59(2), 170-174
Jenkins, DG.,Quigley,BM.(1990) ‘Blood lactate in trained cyclists during cycle ergometry at
critical power’ European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology 61, 278-283
Jones,NM.,Makrides,L.,Hitchcock,C.,Chypchar,T.,McCartney,N. (1984) ‘Normal Standards for an
Incremental Progressive Cycle Ergometer Test’ American Review of Respiratory Disease 131(5)
Murphy,MM.,Patton,JF.,Fredrick,FA. (1986) ‘Comparative anaerobic power of men and women’
Aviation, space and enviromental evidence 57(7), 636-641
Sung,DJ.,So,WY.,Choi,DH.,Jeong,TT. (2016) ‘Blood lactate levels after all-out Exercise Depend on
Body Fat Percentage in Koreon College Students’ Iran J Public Health 45(6),817-819
Warburton,D E.R.,Nicol,CW.,Bredrin,S S.D. (2006) ‘Health benefits of physical activity: the
evidence’ Canadian Medical Association Journal 174(6), 801-809
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