5
Now determine the respiration period (or respiration rate), as described in the
previous section. Select data in the regions prior to and following the holding of
breath, as shown in the following graphs. Then calculate the respiration period for
each:
Before holding of breath: 10.60 s
/ 2 breaths = 5.30 s/breath
After holding of breath: 27.44 s
/ 9 breaths = 3.05 s/breath
Students can easily observe the decrease in respiration period (or increase in
respiration rate) due to holding breath. Students can also investigate the recovery of
respiration rate—the respiration period increased from 2.50 to 3.76 s/breath between
60 and 90 seconds in the data shown here.
6
Recovery of Respiration Rate after Vigorous Exercise
To investigate the effect of vigorous exercise on respiration rate, have the test
subject jog in place for 2 minutes. Afterward, collect respiration data for 3 minutes,
and analyze the data to see how the respiration rate changes. In the sample data
shown in the graph below (
after
exercise), the following respiration rates were
obtained at the beginning and end of data collection:
5 breaths (after exercising): 5 breaths
/
12.48 s = 0.401 breaths/s = 24.0 breaths/min
5 breaths (after recovery): 5 breaths
/
24.95 s = 0.200 breaths/s = 12.0 breaths/min
Comparing Respiration Rate and Heart Rate after Jogging
It is interesting to compare respiration rates with heart rates (measured with the
Vernier Heart Rate Monitor). The following data were collected with a Respiration
Monitor Belt and Gas Pressure Sensor connected to Port 1 of a Serial Box Interface
and a Heart Rate Monitor connected to Port 2. The data-collection rate is set at
50 readings/s. The data shown here were collected after the test subject jogged in
place for two minutes.
Because the heart-rate readings occur at a much higher rate than respiration rate, we
have zoomed in to examine the data between 18 and 24 seconds (left-hand graphs
below) and between 110 and 116 seconds (right-hand graphs).
