LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

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Examining Exercise

Investigation 3 – Lab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 3

BE PREPARED

Supplies and Equipment:

Pair Materials:

  • 1 timer

Individual Materials:

  • 1 balloon
  • 1 Student Data Record

Teacher Preparation:

  1. Organize the required materials at a distribution point.
  2. Separate the class into pairs.

Instruction:

1. Instruct each student pair to obtain the following necessary materials from the distribution point: one (1) timer. In addition, each student should obtain one (1) balloon.

GET FOCUSED

Investigation Three introduces students to muscles and muscle pairs. The concept of muscle fatigue is also explored.

 

INVESTIGATE

Trials 1 – 3

To begin, students will explore how muscle pairs work together to move around a joint. They will perform several exercises that illustrate how muscle pairs work as opposites, contracting and relaxing to move the bones to which they are attached. Students will answer a question that is the focus of this part of the Investigation:

How do muscles work in pairs to move parts of the body?

Trial 1: Muscle Pair = Biceps and Triceps

Activity A -Biceps

Extend your arm in front of you. Bend your forarm at the elbow upward to a 90o angle.

Activity B -Triceps

Lower your forarm from the bent position until straightened.

 

Trial 2

Muscle Pair = Abdominal Muscle and Erector Spinae

Activity C -Abdominal Muscles

Lie down on the floor with your hands behind head and knees in a bent position. Sit up without pulling with your hands.

Activity D -Erector Spinae

Sit with your legs crossed about 15 cm from a wall and slowly lean back.

 

Trial 3

Muscle Pair = Quadriceps and Hamstrings

Activity E – Quadriceps

Sit in a chair with both knees together. Straighten your lower legs at the knee.

Activity F -Hamstrings

In a standing position, bend your lower leg behind you without raising your knee.

 

Trial 4

Students will investigate the effects exercise has on muscles by conducting an experiment that explores muscle fatigue. They will squeeze the index and middle fingers of their partner’s hand for a 30 second time interval and analyze the results.

This experiment is designed to show students that energy in the form of oxygen and nutrients is required for and used during muscle contraction. When sustaining a contraction muscles are required to contract continuously, and they may use oxygen and nutrients faster than the cardiovascular system can supply it. The result is a decrease in muscle contraction and relaxation, a condition described as muscle fatigue.

Students will consider several aspects of their experiment to answer the following question:

How does muscle fatigue affect your ability to exercise?

 

Trials 5 – 7

Students will complete their experiments by using a balloon as a model for muscular flexibility. During the Trials, they will increase the number of times they stretch a balloon and then attempt to inflate that balloon.

They will parallel the ease of inflation of the balloon to the ease of a muscle contracting or performing its function, in order to understand how this compares to how stretching increases a muscle’s ability to perform its function.

Students will predict when a muscle is best able to function and apply the results of their analysis to answer a question the following question:

How does your muscular flexibility affect your muscular fitness?

 

 

KEYS

CLEAN UP

Let students know your expectations for clean-up. Ask them to clean up.