Measuring Physical Fitness: Based on the Harvard Step Test 3/11 Integrated Science 2 Name: Period: Background The Harvard Step Test is designed to give an indication of the overall fitness of one’s cardiovascular system. This test measures your pulse recovery rate as a sign of your cardiovascular endurance. In this lab, you will design an experiment and use class data to complete a formal, typed lab report. Pre-lab Class Data:

1. Complete your information for the class data table on the handout provided. You will be providing your information for each of the independent variables listed below (a-g). Data will be compiled by the teacher and will remain anonymous. Students will be listed on the data table in a random order.

2. After the initial class data table has been completed, your teacher will give each student a copy (either in print version or posted on the class website). You are to complete this lab assignment using only the data for the independent variables that pertain to your chosen experimental design (explained below).

Experimental Design:

1. Each student will use the Fitness Score (calculated using the Harvard Step Test) as their Dependent Variable [higher scores = more fit]

2. Choices for your Independent Variable are as follows: (Note: # of trials will be determined by the final class data table)

a. Gender b. Average hours of exercise per week c. Average number of non-soda beverages with vitamin and/or energy supplements per week d. Height (inches) e. Resting pulse (beats per minute) f. Number of times per week you eat fast food g. Average number of hours of sleep per night

3. Complete the rest of the Experimental Design Outline for your experiment: Title/Purpose: Hypothesis: Independent Variable: Levels of I.V. (2 or more)

Number of trials you will conduct for each I.V. level

Dependent Variable: Constants:

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Rough Draft Data Table After completing your Experimental Design Outline, construct a rough draft data table that reflects your design outline. Include a column for the mean.

Prepare for the Harvard Step Test Practice locating your pulse on your wrist or neck using 2 fingers. Do not use your thumb.

Procedures and Data Collection Materials

A watch with second hand, a step that is 18-22 inches high, and a calculator On the day of the lab, students should wear clothes and shoes suitable for exercise and for being outside

Procedures for Harvard Step Test a. Step up onto and down from a designated platform once every two seconds for five minutes

(your teacher will keep pace for the whole class). b. After 5 minutes of stepping, measure your pulse for 30-second intervals starting at the beginning

of the 6th, 7th, and 8th minute. c. If you are unable to keep up with the pace being kept by your teacher, stop the test and note the

number of minutes of the test you did complete. Wait one minute and begin to take your 30- second pulse readings at the start of every minute thereafter for a total of 3 pulse readings (3 minutes).

d. Record your data under “Personal Results,” below. e. Use the formula below to find your fitness score. f. Submit your fitness score to the teacher so that it can be recorded on the class data table.

Personal Results 0 min: Start step test 5 min: Stop step test 6 min: Take PULSE 1 (# beats in 30 seconds): 7 min: Take PULSE 2: (# beats in 30 seconds): 8 min: Take PULSE 3: (# beats in 30 seconds):

Calculate the fitness score using the following formula:

€

Fitness Score = 2002(Pulse 1 + Pulse 2 + Pulse 3)

x 100

Fitness Score = Your Fitness Rating =

Fitness Score Fitness rating less than 55 Poor 55 - 64 Low average 65 - 79 High Average 80 - 89 Good 90 or more Excellent

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Lab Report 1. Type a Formal Lab Report. Refer to the Formal Lab Report handout in the reference section of your

binder for detailed guidelines. 2. Your name and period should be at the top of the first page. Do not use a separate cover sheet. 3. The following are special instructions for this particular lab report:

A. Title B. Introduction / Purpose

For this lab, the introduction/purpose should be a minimum of four paragraphs. Follow the instructions below for each bullet from your Lab Report Format. Use the Bibliography Handout to cite a minimum of two references. What background information and prior knowledge supports the experiment?

Paragraph 1: Use the Internet to conduct background research on the Harvard Step Test. It’s out there…you have to SEARCH! (Keep track of your references for your bibliography!)

Paragraph 2: Conduct research that is specific to your particular research question/hypothesis. What is already known about your topic and how it relates to physical fitness?

Why are you conducting the experiment? How does the experiment relate to the “real world?” Paragraph 3: Answer the above questions.

What is the experiment designed to test? Paragraph 4: Answer the above question.

C. Hypothesis Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to format your hypothesis.

D. Experimental Design (Materials and Procedure)

Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to format your materials list, procedure, and design outline.

E. Data /Results Include both the class data table provided, and a final draft data table created for your specific

independent variables. Construct a graph to illustrate the data for your experiment. DO NOT GRAPH THE ENTIRE

CLASS-WIDE DATASET. Remember the rules of graphing (see reference section of binder).

F. Discussion Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to write your Discussion Section. Write one paragraph per bullet listed in the Lab Report Format. There are no additional analysis questions for this lab.

G. Conclusion

Refer to the Lab Report Format handout to write your Conclusion. H. Bibliography/Works Cited

Refer to the Bibliography handout to format your works cited list. You must cite a minimum of two references.