The Heart Activity 5

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The Heart—Activity 5
Name ________________________________________________ Date _________________ Class Period ___________
Measuring Your Exercise Heart Rate
An exercise heart rate shows how fast your heart beats per minute
while exercising. It is important to learn how to take your heart rate when
you exercise to determine if you are working at a level that benefits your
heart.
Your heart rate constantly changes due to the intensity of an exercise.
You might be changing the speed of your run, going up or down a hill,
lifting weights, or feeling tired. All of these challenges in an exercise period
will affect your heart rate. To ensure an accurate count of your pulse at any
point when you are exercising, it is recommended that you stop exercise
briefly and begin taking your pulse as soon as you can.
Although your pulse is stronger during activity, it is also much
faster. The pulse rate falls significantly as soon as you stop. When your
muscles stop working, the heart rapidly slows down since there are not
as many demands on the body. Since the heart rate begins to slow down
immediately, you will take your pulse for only 10 seconds. If you take your
pulse for a longer period, you will not get an accurate reading. Therefore, it
is important to quickly find your pulse and begin your 10-second count.
Using a watch or clock with a second hand, count the number of beats
felt in 10 seconds. Then multiply that number by 6 to compute an exercise
heart rate (see example).
Example:
Pulse Rate: ________________
×
6 = ________________
(beats in 10 seconds)
(pulses/minute)
Example of Exercise Heart Rate:
Number of beats in 10 seconds = 24
Multiply by six = 144
Exercise pulse rate = 144 BPM

Fitness Zone Online    The Heart

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