DISCUSSION OF RESULT

xii. What factor might cause a persons pulse rate to increase?

= There are several factors that cause a persons pulse rate to increase including
doing excessive activity, medication side effects, consumption of caffeine and
alcohol, and electrolyte imbalance.(New Health Guide, n.d.)
xiii. Why do pulse rate increase during exercise?
= According to BBC (n.d), the exercise increases the rate at which energy is needed
from food. This increases the need for both food and oxygen in the body. The pulse
rate is just an indication of your heart rate as the arteries expand each time the
ventricles pump blood out of the heart. The heart speeds up to pump extra food and
oxygen to the muscles. Breathing speeds up to get more oxygen and to get rid of
more carbon dioxide.
xiv. Do you think this is a valid way of assessing a persons fitness? Can you suggest
a better method?
= No, because it reflects the ability of the heart, and lungs by measuring the pulse
rate. Keckler (n.d.) states that the most valid and accurate method of assessing
persons fitness is by VO2max method. This includes ability of heart and lungs, as
well as the measurement of ability of blood to transport oxygen to the muscles. A
maximal exercise test is generally performed in a doctors office using specialized
equipment. A submaximal test can be used by a fitness professional to obtain similar
information with less risk. This test is done on a treadmill or stationary bicycle most
often. The practitioner will monitor the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as the
rate of perceived exertion (how hard the person feel when there are working).
xv. how would you account for you result in terms of your particular life style (i.e do
you take regular exercise, do you smoke etc?)
xvi. What conclusions can you draw from your results?

REFERENCES
Keckler, A. (2007) Methods of assessing fitness. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
http://www.annekeckler.com/methods-of-assessing-fitness/.
BBC (n.d.) Biology: Changing levels of performance. Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/biology/the_body_in_action/changing_levels_
of_performance/revision/4/.
New Health Guide (n.d.) High Pulse Rate. Retrieved 15, 2014, from
http://www.newhealthguide.org/High-Pulse-Rate.html.