In order to measure the effects of restricted breathing on exercise performance, we will split our participants into three groups: a control, a group with restricted breathing i.e. holding breath for 30 seconds before exercise, and a group that will breathe in intervals before exercise. We will have each group perform the same exercises in order to most accurately determine how breathing truly affects physical performance. Since we are analyzing restricted breathing, it will be most effective to have participants do exercises such as jumping jacks, high knees, or using a step to perform aerobic tasks.
In order to ensure accuracy, each participant will have all four measures recorded before and after performing the exercise. We will measure pulse oximetry, which was taken before starting the exercise or holding their breath and then again after performing the exercise. We will also record their blood pressure before and after the exercise or holding their breath and the same protocol will be used for the pulse transducer and the electrocardiogram. The before and after data from every technique will be compared against each other in order to detect significant changes.
Protocol
Procedure 1 (Blood Pressure)
The appropriate sized blood pressure cuff was placed around the upper portion of the participant's arm. The arm was then positioned to be about level with their heart. The stethoscope was then placed over the participant's brachial artery while their pulse was being located at their wrist. The blood pressure cuff was then inflated until a pulse at the wrist could no longer be felt, before adding 30 mmHg more. The next step was slowly deflating the blood pressure cuff while listening to the brachial artery through the stethoscope. When the first noise is heard, systolic pressure is reached, the pressure is recorded as such. The blood pressure cuff is continuing to be slowly deflated until another sound is heard, diastolic pressure is reached at this point. Record the pressure as such and remove the blood pressure cuff from the volunteer. This is done before and after the volunteer has completed the exercise.
Procedure 2 (Pulse Transducer)
The push button switch was connected to Input 1 while the finger pulse transducer was connected to Input 2 on the front of the panel on the PowerLab. The hardware must be connected before turning on and opening the settings file. The pulse transducer was secured and the volunteer was instructed to click the push button as soon as they were given a visual cue. The visual cue being the researcher pressing the pulse transducer. The time lapse from when the stimulus appeared to when the subject pressed the push button was recorded as the subject’s reaction time. There was no pattern to when the visual cue was being given so as to eliminate any confounds. This part of the experiment took place until there were five responses recorded from each individual. Those responses were then averaged before the standard deviation was taken. The before and after averages for each individual were compared graphically and their statistical difference was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. This is done before and after the volunteer has completed the exercise.
Procedure 3 (ECG/Heart rate)
Shielded lead wires were first connected to the Earth, Channel 1, Negative, and Positive parts of the bio-amp cable. All jewelry was then removed from the volunteer's hands and arms before their skin was prepped with abrasive gel and cleaned with an alcohol swab. The Channel 1 positive lead wire was then connected to the left wrist, while the Channel 1 negative was connected to the right wrist, and the Earth was connected to the right leg. Being careful not to place on major muscles, as this may interfere with the signal. After secure placement with disposable electrodes the bio amp cable was connected to the power lab before turning it on and opening the settings file. The Electrocardiogram then recorded a resting ECG for approximately two minutes with the volunteer still and facing away from the screen the entire time. The time table allows for at least one full cardiac cycle to be seen. Manipulate the screen to be able to see approximately 15 seconds of the cardiac cycle and then count the number of QRS complexes in that time. That number is then multiplied by four to calculate the heart rate of the individual. All sheilded lead wires can then be removed from the volunteer and disposed of. This is done before and after the volunteer has completed the exercise.
Procedure 4 (Pulse Oximetry)
The oximeter was placed on the middle finger of one of the individual's hands. The laser should be on the pad of the finger, not the nail. The oximeter was then connected to the oximeter pod and then the PowerLab. Our created settings file was then opened while the volunteer was facing away from the monitor with their hand flat and still. Their pulse oximetry was then recorded for one minute to allow for an evening out. This is done before and after the volunteer has completed the exercise.
Statistical analysis
Results
Subheading for results 1 (Effects of exercise on heart rate)
Subheading for results 2 (Effects of exercise on blood pressure)
Subheading for results 3 (Effects of exercise on pulse oximetry)
Subheading for results 4 (Effects of exercise on pulse transducer)