Peak Flow Investigation Essay

Task 3.3 Breathing rate and peak flow investigation

Investigation: I will be measuring peak flow and breathing rate at rest and 30 seconds after exercise to see how my heart rate and breathing rate changes.

Equipment:

• Peak flow monitor

• Stop watch

Variables:

For the Independent variable I will change the rate of physical activity after 30 seconds of exercise. For the dependent variables I will measure how exercise affects peak flow. For the control variables I should be standing so that my body can maximize the air capacity, I should measure the peak flow within 30 seconds after the exercise so that I can get the best result if I leave it any longer my peak flow will start to decrease, I will do the same exercise so I am unbiased, and allow three minutes of rest between each trail so the body can restore to its nautral resting rate.

Method:

1. Firstly take your resting breathing rate by placing two fingers on an area where this is a pulse, for

example, your wrist, once you have found it count your pulse for 30 seconds then multiply it by 2.
2. Secondly, you will need to take your peak flow by attaching your individua l tube onto the monitor, then take a deep breath in and breath out as hard as you can and then record it into your table.
3. Then choose your preferred exercise method, for example, continuous star jumps, then start the timer and exercise for 30 seconds.
4. Once you have finished exercising take your peak flow and record the result into the table.
5. Then take your breathing rate again and record it into the table and work out the average.

Results table:

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Breathing rate in breathes per minute
At rest 14 bpm 12 bpm 10 bpm 12 bpm
After exercise 16 bpm 14 bpm 12 bpm 14 bpm
Expiratory reserve volume
At rest 450 dm³ 400 dm³ 440 dm³ 430 dm³
After exercise 460 dm³ 460 dm³ 420 dm³ 443 dm³

Conclusion:
At rest my average bmp was 12, after exercising my bpm was 14, my bpm increased because when you exercise your heart rate increases and when your heart rate increases more oxygen is needed to convert into energy and get to the working muscles so they body does not fatigue. Before exercise my peak flow results where 430 dm³, however after results it increased slightly to 442 dm³ this is because during exercise the rate and depth of breathing increases, so that more oxygen is absorbed into the blood and transported to the cells, and more carbon dioxide is removed from it and expelled. My peak flow results increased because exercise makes the lungs stronger and gives them a higher ability to take in oxygen that is why when I exhaled my results increased.

Risk assessment:

Hazard Risk Control Level of risk
Cross contamination Sickness Each student should use their own peak flow tube. Medium
Exercise Injury
Asthma Clear the area to eliminate hazards,
Asthma inhaler Medium-High

Total lung capacity is the amount of gas in your lungs after take a deep breath in, which should be on average about 6 liters for adult male and 4 liters for adult female.

Vital capacity is the amount of gas exhaled after a maximal inspiration. Residual volume is the amount of gas remaining in the lungs after a full expiration, residual volume makes up about 20% of the overall volume. Vital capacity and residual volume, equals total lung capacity. Tidal volume is the amount of gas you inspire or expires during resting breathing rate. Inspiratory reserve volume is the amount of gas that an individual can inhale above the tidal inspiration. Expiratory reserve volume is the amount of gas an individual can exhale beyond a tidal expiration. Tidal volume + inspiration reserve volume + expiratory reserve volume = vital capacity. Functional residual capacity is the amount of gas remaining in the lungs after a tidal expiration. Inspiratory capacity is the amount of gas an individual can inhale starting at a

tidal