Scientific method

Heart rate is the different intervals of a heart beat and is influenced in the sino-atrial node of the heart by parasympathetic and sympathetic input (Meule, et al., 2012). Heart rate is influenced by a person’s physical conditions, and health (Thayer et al., 2010). Body weight, alcohol, and smoking all influence our heart rate (Thayer et al., 2010; Karason et al., 1999). Our whole lifestyle influences our heart rate. From when we wake up to when we go to sleep, each activity our day has influences whether our heart rate increases or decreases. A data collection worksheet was given to me in a class and I had to fill out a survey and a list of activities. Each student had their information entered into a spreadsheet where I had to then choose two activities. One activity has a higher heart rate than the other and that is what we need to find using the scientific method. I hypothesize that the heart rate before resting is significantly lower than the heart rate when one eats dinner. The steps used in the scientific method is materials and methods, and the results that conclude whether the hypothesis was correct or wrong.

Materials and Methods

To complete the data sheet I used to finalize my hypothesis, I was given a sheet that had a survey and different activities I had to perform and check my pulse while doing them. The survey consists of questions that ask if I smoke, exercise, drink coffee, drink soda, drink Energy drinks, eat breakfast, and eat dinner. The activities included resting, walking, riding an excursive bike, drinking water, drinking soda, drinking coffee, taking an exam, driving through traffic, eating breakfast, eating dinner, and awakening from sleep. I had to record my pulse before, during, five minutes after, and...

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...physically fit a person is. Karason states that weight loss is associated with an increase in the heart rate (1999). This concludes that if their were different people, the results would be different. In this experiment, my hypothesis was proven to be correct.

Works Cited

Karason, K., Molgaard, H., Wikstrand, J., & Sjostrom, L. (1999). Heart rate variability in obesity and the effect of weight loss. American Journal of Cardiology, 83, 1242–1247.

Meule, A., Freund, R., Skirde, A., Vögele, C., & Kübler, A. (2012). Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Reduces Food Cravings in High Food Cravers. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, 37(4), 241-251.

Thayer, J. F., Yamamoto, S. S., & Brosschot, J. F. (2010). The relationship of autonomic imbalance, heart rate variability and cardiovascular disease risk factors. International Journal of Cardiology, 141, 122–131.