BS4106 – Human Physiology Practical

Responses in Blood pressure and Heart rate

to physical stressors
Measurement of Heart rate

The normal heart pumps blood continuously through the circulatory system. Each
day the average heart "beats" (expands and contracts) 100,000 times and pumps
about 2,000 gallons of blood. In a 70-yr lifetime, an average human heart beats more
than 2.5 billion times. The ‘average’ resting heart rate (HR) is 70 b .min-1 for males,
and 80 b.min-1 for females. A person’s ‘maximum’ age related heart rate can be
estimated using simple predictive equations.

Measurement of Blood Pressure

As blood flows continuously through the circulatory system the pressure engendered
by the blood on the inner walls of the blood vessels can be measured. The pressure
in the vessels when the heart contracts and then relaxes is called the systolic and
diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) respectively. This is usually measured
following auscultation of the brachial artery of the left arm. Normal values range from
110-120 mmHg (systolic) over 70-80 mmHg (diastolic). To help in the monitoring of
changes in blood pressure over time, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) can be
calculated; (MAP=DBP + (0.33*(SBP-DBP)).

Heart rate and Blood pressure changes in response to the body’s requirement to
maintain homeostasis of blood flow and control is regulated by the autonomic
nervous and endocrine systems.
In this practical, you will measure HR and MAP at rest and compare these to
changes observed when the body undergoes different physical stressors (i.e.,
posture and exercise).

Method: Automated blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR)

 At least two healthy persons should be a participant (volunteer) in your group
 Ensure each participant has completed the PARQ (page 5) and is considered
healthy.
 Estimate the participants ‘age predicted maximum heart rate’ using the
formula 220 – age (yrs.).
 Ensure the participant’s earlobe has a good blood flow (i.e., is warm)
 Attach the heart rate monitor to the participants earlobe (keep this attached at
all times)
 Wrap the correctly sized BP cuff smoothly and snugly around the upper part
of the bare arm. The cuff should fit snugly, but there should be enough room
for you to slip one fingertip under the cuff.
 Be certain that the bottom edge of the cuff is approx. 1 inch above the crease
of the elbow.
 Raise the arm with cuff to the level of the participant’s heart, on a table or a
desk (or held by a colleague).
 Record BP and HR in the final 1-minute period after the volunteer has
performed each of the following
 First: 5 min in a comfortable SEATED position, with the legs and ankles
uncrossed (Baseline)
 Second: 2min LAYING DOWN with the legs and ankles uncrossed

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  Third: 2 min STANDING UP with your legs and ankles uncrossed
 Fourth: 4 min EXERCISE on Cycle Ergometer at a workload of 50 watts
(speed=50 rpm, resistance 1kg)

During or after the session, complete the below

 Calculate Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) from the two BP

measurements (DBP and SBP)
MAP = diastolic blood pressure + (0.33 X pulse pressure*)
*pulse pressure =SBP-DBP

 Tabulate the raw data and the mean (average) of the values for each variable
and each condition for your group.
 Calculate the % differences in the mean values for each condition compared
to the seated (baseline) value For example:
((mean seated MAP - mean standing MAP) / mean seated MAP)*100
 Enter these results into your Table.

Predicting cardiovascular (aerobic) fitness (VO2max)

 Using the participants gender, HR and workload (watts) for the exercise
condition calculate their aerobic fitness (VO 2max, L/min) of the volunteer using
the nomogram provided (figure 1 below)
 Convert the VO2max value in L/min to mL/kg/min by using this formula:
(nomogram predicted VO2max (L/min) *1000 )/ body weight (Kg) of
volunteer= VO2max (mL/kg/min)

 Now use the relevant normative data in table 2 (below) to determine the
category of aerobic fitness (i.e., poor, fair etc.), based on the volunteers
VO2max (ml/Kg/min), age and gender

Describe your results and the possible problems/errors associated with the practical:

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Figure 1. Astrand-Rhyming nomogram (Astrand, P.O. & Ryhming, I. (1954).

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Table 2. Normative data for VO2 max

Normative data (Heywood 2006)[7] for Females (ml/kg/min)

Age Poor Fair Good Excellent Superior

20 - 29 <36 36 - 39 40 - 43 44 - 49 >49
30 - 39 <34 34 - 36 37 - 40 41 - 45 >45
40 - 49 <32 32 - 34 35 - 38 39 - 44 >44
50 - 59 <25 25 - 28 29 - 30 31 - 34 >34
60 - 69 <26 26 - 28 29 - 31 32 - 35 >35
70 - 79 <24 24 - 26 27 - 29 30 - 35 >35

Normative data (Heywood 2006)[7] for Males (ml/kg/min)

Age Poor Fair Good Excellent Superior

20 - 29 <42 42 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 55 >55
30 - 39 <41 41 - 43 44 - 47 48 - 53 >53
40 - 49 <38 38 - 41 42 - 45 46 - 52 >52
50 - 59 <35 35 - 37 38 - 42 43 - 49 >49
60 - 69 <31 31 - 34 35 - 38 39 - 45 >45
70 - 79 <28 28 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 41 >41

References
ASTRAND, P.O. & RYHMING, I. (1954). A nomogram for calculation of aerobic capacity
(physical fitness) from pulse rate during submaximal work. J Appl Physiol, 7, p. 218-221.
HEYWOOD, V. (2006) The Physical Fitness Specialist Manual, The Cooper Institute for
Aerobics Research, Dallas TX, revised 2005. In: HEYWOOD, V (2006) Advanced Fitness
Assessment and Exercise Prescription, Fifth Edition, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
McARDLE, W. et al. (2000) Essentials of Exercise Physiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Physical Activity and Readiness Questionnaire

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 PAR-Q and YOU
Please read the following questions carefully and tick the appropriate box for each question.
If you have any doubts or queries please ask.

Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do
physical activity recommended by a doctor?
Yes  No 

Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?

Yes  No 

In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
Yes  No 

Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
Yes  No 

Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical
activity?
Yes  No 

Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or
heart condition?
Yes  No 

Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
Yes  No 

If you answered NO to all questions

If you answered Par-Q honestly, you have reasonable assurance of your present
suitability for:
 A graduated exercise programme. A gradual increase in proper exercise
promotes good fitness development while minimising or eliminating discomfort
 A fitness appraisal. Simple or more complex test of fitness

If you answer YES to one or more questions

If you have not recently done so, consult your doctor BEFORE increasing your physical
activity or BEFORE a fitness appraisal

Student number____________________________ Date______________