3.2 - Pulse Rate

Pulse Rate and Pulse Points

• Pulse rate is the measurement of the number of heartbeats per minute.
• Unit: beats per minute (bpm).
• Pulse points are places on the body where arteries lie very close to the skin surface.
• Each heartbeat sends a pulse through the arteries; the pulse can be felt through the skin at these points.
• Doctors commonly take the pulse at the wrist because it is distinct, prominent and easily accessible.

Taking a pulse reading

1. Place the fingertips over the pulse point at the wrist.
2. Feel the pulse through the skin.
3. Count the number of pulses for one minute.
4. Record the pulse rate in bpm.

Experiment 3.1A: Effect of Gender on Human Pulse Rate

• Aim: To investigate the effect of gender on human pulse rate.
• Problem statement: Does human pulse rate differ according to gender?
• Hypothesis: Females have a higher pulse rate than males.
• Variables:
  • Manipulated: gender
  • Responding: pulse rate
  • Constant: time period, age and type of physical activity
• Apparatus: Stopwatch

Procedure

1. Divide the pupils into male and female groups.
2. Measure every pupil’s pulse for one minute; one pupil controls the stopwatch.
3. Record each pupil’s pulse rate.
4. Collect all readings, calculate the average pulse rate for each gender and compare the averages.

Experiment 3.1B: Effect of Age on Human Pulse Rate

• Aim: To investigate the effect of age on human pulse rate.
• Problem statement: Does human pulse rate differ according to age?
• Hypothesis: The older a person is, the lower the pulse rate.
• Variables:
  • Manipulated: age
  • Responding: pulse rate
  • Constant: time period, gender and type of physical activity
• Apparatus: Stopwatch

Procedure

1. Measure a pupil’s pulse for one minute while another pupil controls the stopwatch.
2. Record the reading.
3. Repeat with a teacher and a laboratory assistant.
4. Ensure that the pupil, teacher and laboratory assistant are of the same gender.
5. Compare the pulse rates according to age.

Experiment 3.1C: Effect of Physical Activity on Human Pulse Rate

• Aim: To investigate the effect of physical activity on human pulse rate.
• Problem statement: Does human pulse rate differ according to the type of physical activity?
• Hypothesis: The more vigorous the physical activity, the higher the pulse rate.
• Variables:
  • Manipulated: type of physical activity
  • Responding: pulse rate
  • Constant: time period, age and gender
• Apparatus: Stopwatch

Procedure

1. Ask one pupil from each group to perform three activities: resting, walking and running.
2. Perform each activity for two minutes.
3. Rest for five minutes before beginning the next activity.
4. Immediately after each activity, count the pulse for one minute.
5. Record and compare the pulse rates.

• Inference: More vigorous physical activity produces a higher pulse rate.
• Individual pulse rates may differ even when the same activity is performed.

Factors Related to Pulse Rate

• The experiments investigate pulse rate according to gender, age and physical activity.
• Pulse rate may also be considered in relation to a person’s health, fitness, emotions and stress.
• Babies and children have higher pulse rates than adults.
• An unhealthy individual may have a lower or higher pulse rate than a healthy individual.
• At rest, an athlete has a lower pulse rate than a non-athlete because the athlete has stronger cardiac muscles.