Text Box: Subject(s): Health, Biology, Physical Education   Grade/Level: 3-8   Time Required: 1 class period prior to visit for preparation 1 hour at Valley Worlds of Fun for this activity 1 hour in the resource room or your classroom for completion of worksheet and discussion   WV State Standards: Physical Education - Fourth Grade PE.4.3.1: identify moderate and vigorous physical activities that can be done outside the school environment. PE.4.3.3: identify three physical activities that bring personal enjoyment. PE.4.4.4: identify the characteristics of activity needed to maintain health-related cardiovascular fitness. PE.4.5.1: work independently and on a task. PE.4.5.3: work cooperatively and productively with a partner or small group. Science - Fourth Grade SC.4.1.1 : contrast changes in scientific knowledge resulting from new discoveries (e.g., new knowledge leads to new questions). SC.4.2.1 : demonstrate curiosity, initiative and creativity by developing questions that lead to investigations; designing simple experiments; and trusting observations of discoveries when trying new tasks and skills. SC.4.2.2 : recognize that developing solutions to problems requires persistence, flexibility, openmindedness, and alertness for the unexpected. SC.4.3.3 : observe that changes occur gradually, repetitively, or randomly within the environment and question causes of changes. SC.4.2.4 : use scientific instruments and everyday materials to investigate the natural world (e.g., hand lens, telescope, thermometer, balances, magnets, tuning forks, bulbs and batteries, graduated cylinders, calculators, computers). SC.4.2.6 : construct a hypothesis when provided a problem.   Objective(s): Students will determine their pulse and calculate their resting, peak, and target heart rate.   Procedure:   Prior to e-Trek:  Teacher must cover the following information about fitness, heart rate and pulse. information was obtained from http://www.newberry.edu/pe/PHE8.htm. Cardiovascular fitness is probably the most important aspect of fitness because of its importance to good health and performance.  Cardio, which means heart, and vascular, which means vessel, is concerned with the proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels needed for a long, healthy, and productive life.  Similar terms you will hear are aerobic fitness, which refers to exercises in which oxygen is used, cardiovascular endurance and cardio-respiratory, which refer to the ability to exercise aerobically over ran extended period of time.  Blood pressure is also an important aspect of cardiovascular fitness.  Blood pressure is measured by determining the systolic (peak pressure) and the diastolic (resting pressure) using a sphygmomanometer.  Normal values usually are around 120/80.  Having a risk of coronary heart disease and stroke can be determined from blood pressures.  Systolic pressures 120-140 are a moderate risk, while systolic pressures 140-180 are considered to be a high risk.  There are many causes of high blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension.  Age, race, heredity, diet, stress, and inactivity are all factors in creating a hypertensive state within the body. In determining cardiovascular threshold and target zones the FIT formula is employed. F (frequency): 3-6 days a week I (intensity): target heart rate, 2000-3500 cal/week expended for aerobic exercise, or and RPE rating of 12-16. (see RPE ratings and explanations in textbook) T (time): 20-30 minute episodes   Heart rate can be determined using a carotid pulse or a radial pulse.  The carotid pulse is easier to locate.  The CAROTID PULSE CHECK is taken in a place just below the jaw along the windpipe and along the throat. Use the fingertips of the index and middle fingers to press gently. Do not move your fingers around in a massaging motion while trying to find your carotid pulse. This can lower your blood pressure and cause dizziness.  Pulse rates can be taken for 10, 15, 30, or 60 seconds can be obtained and then simple multiplication’s can be performed to determine beats per minute.  Some practice in taking heart rate is necessary to limit any delay in taking heart rates.   Heart rates can fluctuate in a short period of time, especially when exercise has ceased.  It is important to be able to take accurate and appropriate hearts rates.  These pulse rates can be useful in determining intensity of an exercise.  The basic method for determining maximal heart rate and working heart rate are outlined. Working Heart Rate: 220 - age = maximal heart rate (beats per minute) maximal heart rate - resting heart rate = working heart rate   Threshold of Training: Working heart rate x 50% + resting heart rate = threshold of training   Upper Limit of Target Heart Rate Zone: Working heart rate x 80% + resting heart rate = upper limit of training   To determine target heart rate zone: Threshold of training is the lowest number of beats per minute necessary to qualify for cardiovascular training.  The upper limit of training is the highest number of beats per minute needed for cardiovascular training.  Exercising outside of this target heart rate zone has been shown to have little benefits in improving or maintaining cardiovascular fitness.   Measuring cardiovascular fitness can be done several ways.  The most accurate tests involves a laboratory setting with treadmills, stationary bikes, and complex equipment that measures oxygen uptake and expenditure.  There are more common more easily administered test are the 12 minute run, 1 1/2 mile run, step test, bike test, and walking test.  All of these test are outlined in the text.  Norms for performance are also given.   In class activity: Have students find their carotid pulse and using a stopwatch have them count their pulse for 1 minute.  Explain that this is number is a measure of their pulse (# of beats per minute).  Poll the students to see if their pulse is all the same.  Challenge the class to decide why there are variations in individual’s pulse.  The heart structure and function can be observed at http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html.  A cut view of the heart can be seen and animated and a description on the cardiovascular system can be examined.  Have students take a few minutes to look over the functions of the cardiovascular system or you can use a projector to demonstrate this to the class.  Explain the terms for determining FIT (Frequency, Intensity, Time).  Have the class practice using the formulas maximal heart rate, working heart rate, and threshold of training.  Home work is to measure their resting pulse for three consecutive days when they first awake and average their values. At Valley Worlds of Fun: Students will complete the Hitting the Target Worksheet.  Students will use their averaged resting pulse to calculate their maximal heart rate, working heart rate, and threshold of training.  The instructions listed below are available on the worksheet. 1. Students will use the heart rate meter to measure their current pulse, making sure they record their results on the worksheet. 2. Students will spend 5 minutes exercising on the inflatable play area or the climbing wall.  When the 5 minutes of exercise has been completed the students will then record that heart rate on the worksheet. 3. Students will rest for 3 minutes and repeat the activity until they have completed the table.  Students should be staggered so that they all aren’t trying to use the heart rate meter at the same time. 4. After the exercise has been completed, students will complete the table at the bottom of the worksheet to calculate the additional items.   In the e-Trek resource room or in your classroom have student groups list why it is good to have a lower pulse, what factors they believe contribute to high pulse and blood pressure, and how they could improve their heart’s health.  Discuss these as a class and have each student develop a plan for improving their cardiovascular endurance and fitness. Instructional Materials: Stop watch, Hitting the Target Worksheet.   Differentiated Instruction: Work with a math teacher to help the students with necessary calculations needed to complete the worksheet.   Author's Comments: Be aware of any students who have health issues that would limit their activity; asthma, handicapped, fear of heights…   Assessment/Evaluation: Completion of the Hitting the Target Worksheet.