Muscle Fatigue Lab

Problem:  What happens when we overexert our muscles?  Are different people more 'fit' because they have exercised?  How do long distance runners deal with this phenomenon?

Hypothesis:  If the hands are exercised very rapidly for three minutes, then _________ will be able to do the most repetitions because __________.

Materials:  Stopwatch, pencil and chart to record data, calculator tape, single hole punches and a marker.

Begriming Exercise video clip. Ending exercise clip.

Procedure:

  1. Find two partners to make a group of three.
  2. Decide which one of you will exercise first.
  3. The person who is timing will watch the clock and say 'Now' every five seconds. When the timer says 'Now' the counter will mark the last hole the exerciser punched.  The partner that is punching continues to punch.  Do NOT stop exercising or take a break. 
  4. Make a hypothesis of the person in the class that you think will be able to complete the highest average of repetitions and give a reason you chose that person.
  5. The exerciser will begin to punch holes in a line on the calculator paper as fast as possible. Make sure that the holes are completely punched out.
  6. When all partners understand their jobs, start the activity.  The exercise will be executed for 37 repetitions lasting five seconds each.  After the first partner is finished, trade roles and repeat the activity until each partner has completed each task.
  7. Clean up work area.
  8. Return materials to the teacher.
  9. Graph your results in Excel.
  10. Gather data from your partners and plot their results on Excel.
  11. When you are finished graphing try to explain the ups and downs, straight lines, etc. in the graph. 
  12. Analyze what has happened using scientific terminology.  Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?  Write a paper defending your hypothesis.
  13. Save charts and graphs as directed by teacher.
  1. Optional exercises: