Hypothesis: If subjects stretch for three five-minute intervals, then their individual blood pressures will be affected and increase because the movement and use of muscles is also being increased.
Results: As shown in Table 1, the blood pressures for each subject varied. Isabella’s blood pressure started out high, with her systolic rates remaining within ten points of each other, and her diastolic rates within 12 points of each other. Her beginning blood pressure was 131/91 and after five minutes of stretching, it dropped to 131/79. However, after another five minutes of stretching it just barely increased up to 132/80. Finally, after a full fifteen minutes of stretching it increased yet again to 140/88. Similarly, Chris’s blood pressure was …show more content…
Blood pressures every five minutes, per subject.
Time/Subjects 0 Minutes 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Averages
Isabella 131/90 131/79 132/80 140/88 133/84
Sarah D. 114/63 104/65 106/62 89/65 103/64
Sarah S. 106/59 110/63 111/54 112/62 110/59
Chris 122/55 122/59 117/64 123/66 121/61
Figure 1. Change in Systolic and Diastolic blood pressures for each subject every five-minutes.
Discussion: The hypothesis for this experiment was rejected due to the fluctuating, varied blood pressures recorded. Therefore, blood pressure is not directly affected by stretching according to the results. Since each subject had both increased and decreased blood pressures that did not seem to follow any specific patterns, as seen in Figure 1, the results do not allow for one to conclude whether or not the act of stretching impacted the subjects’ blood pressures in this experiment. According to The U.S. National Institute of Health, “The recommended intervention for controlling Blood Pressure in pre- and stage 1- hypertensive individuals is lifestyle modifications such as exercise”. 1 It was believed that if the subjects in this stretching experiment were to stretch at increasing intervals, the activity levels would increase their blood pressure. However, this source actually claims that it may have the opposite effect. Similarly, ISRN Neurology claims, “Exercise and physical activity have an increasing evidence base in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke and in stroke rehabilitation”.
Results: As shown in Table 1, the blood pressures for each subject varied. Isabella’s blood pressure started out high, with her systolic rates remaining within ten points of each other, and her diastolic rates within 12 points of each other. Her beginning blood pressure was 131/91 and after five minutes of stretching, it dropped to 131/79. However, after another five minutes of stretching it just barely increased up to 132/80. Finally, after a full fifteen minutes of stretching it increased yet again to 140/88. Similarly, Chris’s blood pressure was …show more content…
Blood pressures every five minutes, per subject.
Time/Subjects 0 Minutes 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 15 Minutes Averages
Isabella 131/90 131/79 132/80 140/88 133/84
Sarah D. 114/63 104/65 106/62 89/65 103/64
Sarah S. 106/59 110/63 111/54 112/62 110/59
Chris 122/55 122/59 117/64 123/66 121/61
Figure 1. Change in Systolic and Diastolic blood pressures for each subject every five-minutes.
Discussion: The hypothesis for this experiment was rejected due to the fluctuating, varied blood pressures recorded. Therefore, blood pressure is not directly affected by stretching according to the results. Since each subject had both increased and decreased blood pressures that did not seem to follow any specific patterns, as seen in Figure 1, the results do not allow for one to conclude whether or not the act of stretching impacted the subjects’ blood pressures in this experiment. According to The U.S. National Institute of Health, “The recommended intervention for controlling Blood Pressure in pre- and stage 1- hypertensive individuals is lifestyle modifications such as exercise”. 1 It was believed that if the subjects in this stretching experiment were to stretch at increasing intervals, the activity levels would increase their blood pressure. However, this source actually claims that it may have the opposite effect. Similarly, ISRN Neurology claims, “Exercise and physical activity have an increasing evidence base in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke and in stroke rehabilitation”.