Katie Law-Balding
PBS 2010
2.3.3 What is Blood Pressure
Scientific Laboratory Report
The Effect of Exercise on Blood Pressure
Katie Law-Balding
June 28, 2010
Katie Law-Balding
PBS 2010
2.3.3 What is Blood Pressure
Scientific Laboratory Report
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to see what effect 30 seconds of physical activity would have on a
subject’s blood pressure. In this case, physical activity is defined as stair running at a moderate pace for
30 seconds. Standing blood pressure was measured before and after physical activity for comparison
purposes. Three trials were completed and initial blood pressure was 94/75 mmHg, 125/92 mmHg, and
106/92 mmHg. Blood pressure after physical activity was 137/98, 127/95, and 137/99 mmHg. There
was an increase in blood pressure after physical activity.
Background
Prior to designing the experiment several tasks were completed to prepare for this experiment. In 2.1.1,
pumps were designed and the function of the heart was discussed. A sheep heart dissection was
performed to learn the anatomy of the heart as well as the flow of blood through the heart, again
relating structure to function.
To prepare for data collection, a LabVIEW program was built to familiarize ourselves with how LabVIEW
works and how to construct programs. After familiarization with LabVIEW equipment and use, an
experiment was performed to look at heart rate is affected by the “fight or flight” response. The next
logical step would be to look at blood pressure and what factors would affect blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force exerted on the walls of arteries. Systolic pressure is
while the ventricles are contracting and diastolic pressure is while the ventricles are not contracting.
Blood pressure is typically written as Systolic/Diastolic. A normal blood pressure range for an adult is
between 90/60 and 120/80. If blood pressure is too high (hypertension) or too low (hypotension) it can
cause medical issues for the individual. “Persistent hypertension is one of the risk
factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic
kidney failure. Moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy”
(Wikipedia, 2010).
Blood pressure is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and responds to “physiological factors,
such as diet, exercise, disease, drugs or alcohol, stress, obesity, and so-forth” (Wikipedia, 2010). Some
variation in blood pressure is normal as it is a physiological response to stimuli, but should remain fairly
stable under normal conditions.
The overall goal for the experiment is to determine the effect on physical activity on blood pressure.
Hypothesis
Blood pressure will increase after 30 seconds of physical activity.
Katie Law-Balding
PBS 2010
2.3.3 What is Blood Pressure
Scientific Laboratory Report
Materials and Methods
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Materials (Project Lead the Way, 2010):
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Computer with LabVIEW software
SensorDAQ with USB cable
Vernier Blood Pressure sensor
Stair case
Graph paper
Watch, clock or timer
Experimental Design Resource Sheet
How to Write a Scientific Laboratory Report Resource Sheet
Methods:
Blood pressure cuff and sensor will be set up according to instructions included in package.
Readings are taken using LabVIEW Software. Subject will stand to take initial baseline blood
pressure. Subject will stand for one minute prior to taking initial blood pressure. Take blood
pressure using LabVIEW Software.
Leave blood pressure cuff on subject, subject runs stairs at consistent pace for 30 seconds. At
the end of the 30 seconds, immediately take blood pressure using LabVIEW Software.
Wait 5 minutes between trials, and repeat all steps as listed above.
Record all data in data table. Graph all data using Excel.
Results
In Trial 1 the subject’s initial blood pressure was 94/75 mmHg with a mean of 75 mmHg, after 30
seconds of stair running, the subject’s blood pressure increased to 137/98 mmHg with a mean of 98
mmHg. Trial 2 was performed five minutes after trial 1 ended. The subject’s initial blood pressure was
125/92 mmHg with a mean of 92 mmHg, after the physical activity, blood pressure increased to 127/95
mmHg with a mean of 95 mmHg. Trial 3 results were initial blood pressure of 106/97 mmHg with a
mean of 97 mmHg and post activity blood pressure of 137/99 mmHg with a mean of 122 mmHg.
Trial
Initial BP (mm Hg)
Initial HR (bpm)
Post activity BP (mm
HG)
Post activity HR (bpm)
1
94/75 (mean 75)
72
137/98 (mean 98)
2
125/92 (mean 92)
69
127/95 (mean 95)
3
106/97 (mean 97)
97
137/99 (mean 122)
92
112
91
Katie Law-Balding
PBS 2010
2.3.3 What is Blood Pressure
Scientific Laboratory Report
Discussion
There is a clear increase in blood pressure after physical activity in all three trials; trial one 94/75 to
137/98 mmHg, trial two 125/92 to 127/95 mmHg, and trial three 106/97 to 137/99 mmHg. The data
supports the hypothesis that increased physical activity would increase blood pressure. This increase in
blood pressure is an autonomic response to the body’s need for more oxygen during exercise. Possible
errors in the results are that immediately following the first trial, we had difficulty getting the LabVIEW
Software to take readings and the subject was waiting for approximately 30seconds to 1 minute before
the blood pressure reading was taken. This could be eliminated by practicing with the software more
before beginning the experiment. Also, we could wait longer between trials and allow the subject’s
blood pressure to return to “normal.” Future experiments could include additional trials, extending the
activity time, taking blood pressure before, during, and after exercise, also monitoring the affect
exercise has on overall blood pressure.
Conclusion
There is an increase in blood pressure after physical activity.
Citations
Project Lead the Way. 2010. Principles of the Biomedical Sciences. 2010. Clifton Park, NY: Project
Lead the Way, Inc.; Activity 2.3.3.
Wikipedia contributors. Blood pressure [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 21, 18:15
UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_pressure&oldid=369401703.
Wikipedia contributors. Hypertension [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 16, 19:21
UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hypertension&oldid=368444438.