Major Lab, Unit 2

This lab will evaluate the different metabolic rates between the body at rest, and the body after exercise. I will create a mean metabolic rate using vital signs(V/S) to show my body and it's metabolic rate and compare them against the metabolic rate after exercising.

I propose that while my body is at rest, my V/S's will be in the average range for my age, weight, and sex. With my body at rest, cellular metabolism is working at an average pace to maintain homeostasis. Since, the cells will produce minimal CO2, my V/S's will show normal ranges. However, when i perform exercises, the CO'2 will rise within my body. This will cause an increase in Respiration's, pulse, and blood pressures because my body will increase the metabolic rate, which in turn, an increase in V/S's. The reason this happens, is because our body, along with it's chemo receptors notice the increase in CO2. Our natural response is to increase our Cardiac output, that will increase our blood pressure, and ultimately increase our respiration's. This process allows for our body to begin the process of blowing off the CO2, while increasing the level of O2 that is needed to keep up with the demands of cellular metabolism under stress. With this in mind, i propose that my V/S's will all increase across the 'board" during activities 1 and 2. Activity three should not change my metabolic rate.

These are pictures of the 75 lb weight vest, b/p cuff, stethoscope, pad to record data, the bleachers i climbed with the weight vest on, the bike i rode for 3 miles, and the sidewalk i used to walk for 1 mile. All of these were used to assess my metabolic rate.

The materials that i used for gathering V/S's, was a stethoscope, B/P cuff, and an R.N. to collect my V/S's. The 3 methods i chose to compare the metabolic rate at rest was 1) a 75 lb weight vest that i wore while walking up bleachers for 5 minutes non stop, 2) a 3 mile bike ride, and 3) a 1 mile walk. I did not wear the weight vest for activities 2 and 3.

Above is the chart that shows the comparisons of the mean average of my metabolic rate's in four different scenarios. The metabolic rate increased the way that i suspected in all areas but 2. My diastolic pressure dropped below my resting rate after i completed the stair climbers. I did not expect that to happen. I believe that i had some serious vasodilation going on during this event that caused my after load to decrease. The second area that my hypothesis did not stand true was during a one mile walk. I suggested that i would not have a change in metabolic rate and i was wrong. My V/S's increased while walking even though i didn't feel that i was exerting my self. My V/S's were higher after the walk compared to my 3 mile bike ride? I suspect that this is due to the fact that my body doesn't have to work as hard to cover 3 miles on a bike compared to walking 1 mile.

I did not have any issues with collecting my data since i have the above mentioned equipment at home. I believe that if i had to go to a store and measure my V/S's, i would not be able to gather accurate data. I was unable to get pictures of me during the bike ride and walk because my wife had to watch the children who are to young to operate the camera. In all, my hypothesis was not totally wrong. I had a good idea of what to expect.

In conclusion, it is very obvious that our metabolic rate changes on demand. With chemo receptors, the body detects an increase in CO2. Then the body makes the necessary adjustments in an attempt to correct the problem. This is accomplished by increasing cardiac output, which causes our pressure to rise, and causing our respiratory rate to increase for the changes all because our cells kick into over drive and produce more CO2.