BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

TOPIC: Effects of Exercise on Blood Pressure and

Pulse Rate
NAME: Kumarjeet Kar
CLASS: 11-C
ROLL NO: 16
DONE UNDER: Sucharita Bhattacharya
 CONTENTS
1. Acknowledgment………………..2
2. Certificate………………………..3
3. Introduction……………………..4
4. Blood Pressure………………………….5
5. Pulse Rate………………………7
6. Effects of Exercise………………………..9
7. Treatment…….............................12
8. Conclusion………………………16
10. Bibliography……………………17

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks to my
biology teacher Sucharita Bhattacharya Ma’am for her
able guidance and support in completing my project. I
would also like to extend my gratitude to our Principal
ma'am "Sujata Chatterjee" and vice principal sir
"Aniruddha Bhattacharya" for providing me with all the
facilities that were required.

DATE: 31st July, 2023

NAME: Kumarjeet Kar
CLASS: XI
SEC: C

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 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Kumarjeet Kar, a student of Class-
XII-A has successfully completed this Investigatory
project report titled “Effects of Exercise on Blood
Pressure and Pulse Rate” under the guidance of Ms.
Sucharita Bhattacharya in the academic year 2023-
2024.
This report is a bonafide work done by the student and
has been submitted to G.D. Goenka Public School,
Dakshineswar, in partial fulfillment of Biology practical
examination conducted by CBSE, New Delhi for the
award of All India Senior School Certificate
Examination (AISSCE) in Science.
Signature of examiner
…………………………
Signature of Biology Teacher
……………………………..

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 INTRODUCTION
Exercise training has been shown to reduce blood
pressure. Regular physical activity is one of the most
important things you can do for the health. Being
physically active can improve the brain health,
help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease,
strengthen bones and muscles, and improve the ability
to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any
amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain
some health benefits. Only a few lifestyle choices have
as large an impact on the health as physical activity.
Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical
activity – age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size do not
matter. Whether people engage in light exercise, such as
going for a walk, or high intensity activities, for
example, uphill cycling or weight training, regular
exercise provides a huge range of benefits for the body
and mind. Taking part in exercise of any intensity every
day is essential for preventing a range of diseases and
other health issues.

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 BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against

the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats, it
pumps blood into the arteries. The blood pressure is
highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This
is called systolic pressure. When the heart is at rest,
between beats, the blood pressure falls. This is called
diastolic pressure.
The blood pressure reading uses these two numbers.
Usually the systolic number comes before or above the
diastolic number. For example, 120/80 means a systolic
of 120 and a diastolic of 80.

NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are
considered within the normal range. If the results fall
into this category.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is often related to unhealthy
lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drinking too much
alcohol, being overweight and not exercising enough.
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Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk
of developing a number of serious long-term health
conditions, including coronary heart disease.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

Low blood pressure is less common. Some medicines
can also cause low blood pressure as a side effect. It can
caused by number of underlying conditions, including
heart failure and dehydration.

Blood Pressure Readings Chart

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 PULSE RATE
The pulse rate, also known as the heart rate, is the
number of times the heart beats per minute. A normal
resting heart rate should be between 60 to 100 beats per
minute, but it can vary from minute to minute.
The age and general health can also affect the pulse
rate, so it’s important to remember that a ‘normal’ pulse
can vary from person to person.

FAST PULSE RATE

If the heart rate is over 100 beats per minute when the
person is at rest, this is considered fast.
A rapid heart rate, also known as tachycardia, can be
related to many different health conditions. It’s normal
for the heart rate to increase when the person
is exercising or if the body is fighting off an infection.

SLOW PULSE RATE

A heart rate below 60 beats per minute when the person
is at rest is considered slow (bradycardia).
A slower heart rate can be normal for some people,
including athletes, fit and healthy young adults, or those

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taking certain medications. For example, it is common
for someone who exercises a lot to have a resting heart
rate of 60 beats per minute or less.

Maximum Heart Rate Chart

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 EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON BLOOD
PRESSURE AND PULSE RATE

HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis
Heart rate and blood
pressure are higher during
exercise than at rest.
Hypothesis
Heart rate and blood
pressure are higher during
exercise than at rest.
Hypothesis

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Heart rate and blood
pressure are higher during
exercise than at rest.
Heart rate and blood pressure are higher during exercise
than at rest

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
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 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
 Sphygmomanometer
 2 test subjects
1. Sphygmomanometer
2. Two test subjects
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METHODS
1. We measured the heart rate and blood pressure at
rest and recorded that value.
2. We estimated the approximate time it will take us
to run through the experiment and measured the
blood pressure and heart rate after that time and
recorded it as our control experiment.
3. We proceeded to make the test subjects perform
jumping jacks for 30 seconds, 60 seconds and 90
seconds with a 120 seconds rest between each
exercise.
4. After each series of jumping jacks, the blood
pressure and heart rate were measured and
recorded.

OBSERVATION

Test subject 1 results:

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Test subject 2 results:

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DISCUSSION
During exercise, the heart will contract faster, and
circulation will increase, which gets oxygenated blood
to the body’s muscles quicker. As the demand for the
blood increases, the heart is going to try to meet the
demand by increase the heart rate and by increase the
force at which it contracts. This causes the blood
pressure and heart rate to increase in order to push the
flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

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 TREATMENT
Treatment will depend on several factors, including
how high the blood pressure is and the risk of
cardiovascular disease or a stroke.
The doctor will recommend different treatments as
blood pressure increases. For slightly high blood
pressure, they may suggest making lifestyle changes
and monitoring the blood pressure.
If blood pressure is high, they will recommend
medication. The options may change over time,
according to how severe the hypertension is and
whether complications arise, such as kidney disease.
Some people may also need a combination of several
different medications.

MEDICATIONS
1. Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers were once popular for treating
hypertension, but doctors now only tend to prescribe
them when other treatments are ineffective.
These medications slow the heart rate and reduce the
force of the heartbeat, causing a drop in blood pressure.

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 2. Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) aim to decrease
calcium levels in the blood vessels. This will relax the
vascular smooth muscle, causing the muscle to contract
less forcefully, the arteries to widen, and blood pressure
to reduce.

DIET
Managing the diet can be an effective way of
preventing and treating high blood pressure.
1. Plant-based foods
A nutritious, balanced diet includes plenty of fruits and
vegetables, vegetable and omega oils, and good quality,
unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains. People
who include animal products in their diet should trim
the fat off and avoid processed meats.
2. Lowering salt intake
Experts recommend reducing salt consumption and
increasing potassium intake to manage or prevent high
blood pressure. Limiting salt intake to less than 5–6
grams per day could help improve cardiovascular health
and reduce systolic blood pressure by 5.6 mm Hg in
people with hypertension.
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 3. Nutritious Fats
In moderation, plant-based sources of fats, such as
avocados, nuts, olive oil, and omega oils, can provide
benefits. People should limit their intake of saturated
fats and trans fats, common in animal-sourced and
processed foods.
4. Alcohol

A study indicated that consuming some alcohol may

help lower blood pressure. However, others report the
opposite, noting that even drinking a moderate amount
might increase blood pressure levels.

People who regularly drink more than moderate

amounts of alcohol will almost always experience
elevated blood pressure levels.

5. Caffeine

Studies into the relationship between caffeine and blood

pressure have produced conflicting results. A moderate
intake of coffee appears to be safe for people with high
blood pressure.

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LOSING WEIGHT

Some studies have revealed that losing as little as 5-8

kilograms in weight can help reduce blood pressure.

Weight loss will also improve the effectiveness of blood

pressure medications.

Methods of achieving and maintaining a moderate

weight include getting regular exercise and following a
diet that emphasizes plant-based foods. A person should
also limit their intake of fat.

SLEEP

Increasing sleep alone cannot treat hypertension, but too

little sleep and reduced sleep quality may make it
worse.

NATURAL REMEDIES
The following may help lower blood pressure –
 Meditation and yoga
 Supplements such as flaxseeds, garlic, green or
black tea, probiotics, cocoa, etc.

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 CONCLUSION
Blood pressure is essential to the body. However, it can
become too high or too low. A blood pressure reading
that is too high is called hypertension, or high blood
pressure. This can cause a number of health issues and
should be monitored with a doctor.
High blood pressure can be managed, especially with
early intervention and some lifestyle adjustments.
Acutely, exercise increases cardiac output and blood
pressure, but individuals adapted to exercise show
lower resting heart rate and cardiac hypertrophy. Both
cardiac and vascular changes have been linked to a
variety of changes in tissue metabolism and signalling,
although our understanding of the contribution of the
underlying mechanisms remains incomplete.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC4914008/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC6172294/#:~:text=Frequent%20exercise%20is
%20robustly%20associated,more%20favorable
%20plasma%20lipoprotein%20profile.
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/
270644#takeaway
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/
159283#diagnosis

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