1. Homeostasis and Steady State

2. Introduction
 The body is a biological control system that
maintains a constant internal environment at rest
and during periods of stress. Understanding the
importance of homeostasis in exercise physiology
is critical for endurance training and heavy
exercise. If the body is not able to meet demands
during physical activity the subject will find itself
short of breath and cease activity. This is due to
the lack of oxygen to the muscle and significant
amounts of carbon dioxide produced. This is why
the individual should consider it as motivation for
prolonging low intensity exercise which will ease
heart rate and improve oxygen intake.

3. Purpose
 Students are to understand what happens
internally when an outside force causes the body
to be under physical stress in an individual who
may or may not seem of optimum health. The
subjects in the lab are to be examined based on
sex, age, height, weight, and body fat
percentage. By measuring the heart rate at rest
and at the end of the test, we can determine if the
body is in healthy condition (optimal body
composition zone) or border line risk of any
cardiovascular disease (unhealthy zone).

4. Warning!!
 It is extremely important for the group to be
constantly monitoring the subject’s heart rate
response while performing the test. Subjects
tested may feel dizziness, light-headedness, and
nausea after test is complete. It is important for
the subject to not be left alone after the
completion of the test. Monitor heart rate after the
test to ensure the subject is safe.

5. Equipment
 Stadiometer
 Weight Scale
 Sphygmomanometer
 Stethoscope
 BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis)
 Heart Rate Monitor
 Bicycle ergometer

6. Important Notice!
 Before getting anything started each person
needs to get their gender, age, standing height,
weight, resting and exercise heart rate along with
blood pressure measurement. Divide the class
into groups.

7.  Standing Height
Steps
 This should be taken by having the person
bare-footed and standing up straight with
their back and heels together against the
wall stadiometer.
 The hands are on the hips, the head held
in the horizontal plane and the nose
directed straight forward. In other words
their partner will observe them to the
looking straight ahead with the child tilted
up.
 After a full inhalation, the measurement bar
is placed gently on the subject’s head and
the height will be recorded. The reading is
done in centimeters rounded to the nearest
tenth.
 Standing height should be done twice and
then calculated to determine the mean
average.
 To calculate the mean average add the
height and divide it by two.

8. Steps
 Weight
 The body weight is measured in kilograms using a scale.
 The subject being weighed should be dressed
appropriately with light clothes and barefooted. Light
clothing should be worn, typically a pair of shorts and t-
shirt.
 The subject then steps off the scale before a second
measure is taken. The average of the two separate
weight measurements will be calculated.

9. Steps
 BIA (bioelectrical impedance
analysis)
 Body fat percentage will be measured
by using the BIA.
 Turn on the device and follow the
prompts displayed on the device.
 Enter age, height, weight, and if athletic
or normal. Normal: subject doesn’t
engage in regular physical activity (30
minutes a day).
 Stand shoulder width apart.
 Hold the device straight out in front of
your chest.
 Grip on to the handles tightly and hold.
 Reading will take a couple of seconds
to analyze and it will give you two
numbers.

10. Steps
 Blood Pressure
 To take the blood pressure, have the
student sit down and have the left arm
(closer to the heart) just rest on the table.
 Place the cuff on the arm about 2 fingers
above the antecubidal space (where the
arm bends).
 Place the stethoscope on the brachial
artery.
 Raise the cuff pressure rapidly to about 160
mmHg (millimeters of Mercury).
 Slowly release the pressure in the cuff.
 Pay attention to the first sharp release of
blood known as the Korotkoff sound, once
heard read the number on the manometer
and write it as the systolic pressure.
 The continued release of pressure from the
cuff will allow more blood flow meaning the
Korotkoff sound will slowly diminish.
 The last sound you hear will be recorded as
the diastolic pressure.

11. Steps
 Obtaining Resting Heart Rate
(RHR)
 To obtain the resting heart rate, have
one person wear a heart rate
monitor.
 The heart rate monitor should be
placed against bare skin right under
the pectoral region and the receiving
watch on the left hand.
 Student should sit down and relax
while another student is taking
his/her heart rate every 20 seconds
for 4 minutes.
 It is advised for girls to wear a sport-
bra instead of a regular bra that has

12. Steps (Performing Test)
 One person from the group will be on the bike
ergo meter performing the test (heart rate monitor
should be in place), adjust the seat if necessary.

13. Performing Test
 Student is in place.
 Another student from the group will take the initial
exercise blood pressure.
 After 4 minutes the final exercise blood pressure.
 Once the student starts pedaling the third person
in the group should start the time and record the
initial exercise heart rate.
 Take heart rate every 20 seconds until it reaches
240 seconds.
 Pedaling speed should reach 60 RPM with a
resistance of 1.5 kp, and should maintain that
constant speed throughout the test.

14. Performing Test

15. Conclusion
 You have successfully followed the instructions
provided and realized how physical activity can
impact the body. The normal blood pressure for adults
is 120/80, and as mentioned previously the first
number will always be the systolic pressure followed
by the diastolic pressure when the Korotkoff sounds
disappears. Take into consideration that this numbers
depend on but not limited to the individual’s age,
height, weight, and physical activity. A healthy person
will have a blood pressure of 115/75. This is due to
good health nutrition and daily moderate exercise. So
have fun and enjoy participating in activities and get
yourself a heart rate monitor to track your level of
fitness and see how hard your heart is working to