[terrysiau]

Hi
I have a homework assignment for biology; a planning exercise, the title is:

You are required to plan an investigation to compare the ffects of two different types of training regime on improvement in aerobic fitness.

Could someone please give me a brief backbone to this, as I have to write 500-1000 words. Some idea would be really helpful too:

What are two types of training regime, and how can I measure aerobic fitness?
A few ideas that are obvious to me are heart rate and lung capacity, any others would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[wewed100606]

I am guessing your teacher typo'd the "regime" part and meant "regiment". A training regiment is just a fancier name for a routine or series of exercises repeated over a period.

As for ideas on how to measure such a thing it starts to get pretty tricky. You would need to measure resting heart rate and also heart rate after an identical set of exercises which is where it gets tough. There are so many variables when you are dealing with people doing an activity. I would make sure to have a control group that does not change their daily activity at all. Honestly you would either need a ridiculously large group for each trial or you would have to have controls in place for age, race, gender, body fat %, diet, sleep levels, it would just be a next to impossible study. Your teacher bit off a little bit more than they can chew on this one. I would find 10 sets of identical twins, make them live in dorms with all meals provided and their daily schedules dictated completely for X amount of time. Really your best shot at designing an experiment with justifiable results. The best way to measure aerobic fitness would be a blood oxygen level. Good luck... hope I helped even a little.

[wewed100606]

I would use maybe swimming X miles vs. Biking X miles vs. Walking X miles

[terrysiau]

I am guessing your teacher typo'd the "regime" part and meant "regiment". A training regiment is just a fancier name for a routine or series of exercises repeated over a period of time.

As for ideas on how to measure such a thing it starts to get pretty tricky. you would need to measure resting heart rate and also heart rate after an identical set of exercises which is where it gets tough. There are so many variables when you are dealing with people doing an activity. I would make sure to have a control group that does not change their daily activity at all. Honestly you would either need a ridiculously large group for each trial or you would have to have controls in place for age, race, gender, body fat %, diet, sleep levels, it would just be a next to impossible study. Your teacher bit off a little bit more than they can chew on this one. I would find 10 sets of identical twins, make them live in dorms with all meals provided and their daily schedules dictated completely for X amount of time. Really your best shot at designing an experiment with justifiable results. The best way to measure aerobic fitness would be a blood oxygen level. Good luck...hope I helped even a little.

Hi
The assignment also states:

You are provided with the following:

Apparatus for recording physiology - heart rate, pressure etc.

Sports centre/gym with suitable equipment

School or college laboratory resources.

Your plan must include:

Apparatus used
Method including procedures
Risk assessment

You must indicate briefly how you would present and analysa your data to draw your conclusions.

I really am stuck!