vital capacity irp

Jocelyn KuoIB Biology HL Yr 1

Mrs. SouleApril 8, 2023

Independent Research Project: Vital Capacity

Design

Aspect 1: Defining the problem and selecting variables

Introduction

Vital capacity is the maximum volume of air that a person can exhale after maximum inhalation. A person’s vital capacity can be measured using device known as a spirometer. A spirometer is an apparatus for measuring the maximum volume of inspiration by the lungs. The vital capacity of an individual is measured through the process of exhalation. Air is

inhaled and exhaled into and out of the lungs through the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. The lung volume of an individual often varies. The sex, height, weight, and surrounding environment of a person are all factors that could possibly affect the vital capacity. For example, men and taller people generally have higher capacities compared to women and shorter people, respectively. Also, factors such as smoking or athletics can increase or decrease the lung volume.

In Track and Field, there are a collection of events such as sprinting, running, throwing and jumping. Short distance runners are categorized into sprints where

as long distance runners are categorized into middle distance and long distance events. Examples of sprint events would be the 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter events. Anything over 400 meters would be considered a middle distance of long distance race. Long distance running requires more endurance whereas sprinting relies on agility.

This lab will research the vital capacity of non-runners and runners, specifically long distance runners and short distance runners.

Research Question

Do long distance runners have larger vital capacity than short distance runners?

The experiment of this lab will study the lung capacity of Varsity Track and Field runners in International School Bangkok. The objective of this lab is to determine if a specific event in Track and Field will have an effect on the vital capacity of an athlete.

Variables

Independent: Short distance runners and long distance runners

Dependent variable: The measure and average measure of vital capacity (cc) after 3 trials of maximum exhalation into the spirometer

Controlled: Spirometer model, method, data collection

Aspect 2: Controlling the variables

Controlling the variables

Independent variable: The groups tested will be short distance runners and long distance runners. Individuals on the Track and Field team will be asked what events they compete in and then categorized into short distance or long distance.

Dependent variable: The capacity measure (cc) of each runner after 3 trials of maximum exhalation into the spirometer is the dependent variable.

Spirometer model: In order to control the vital capacity, the same spirometer will be used throughout the experiment. A different model of a spirometer could off set the accuracy of the results.

Method: In order to control the accuracy vital capacity, each participant will be required to stand in the same position and to hold the spirometer in a specific way. The position or posture such as sitting down or slouching could possibly prevent the lungs from inhaling and exhaling at maximum volume. Every person will be asked to stand up straight and hold the spirometer horizontally.

Data collection: In order to control the target for data collection, the amount of girls and boys tested will need be equal. Males generally have higher lung capacities than females therefore if more males were to be tested in one group than the other, the average would not be accurate.

Aspect 3: Developing a method for collection of data

Materials

Spirometer 24 paper or plastic mouthpieces Towel paper Notebook Pen

Procedure

1. Before beginning the experiment, make sure the spirometer is clean by unscrewing the top and wiping it clean with a paper towel then screw the top back on

2. Reset the spirometer by twisting the top counterclockwise until the arrow indicates 0 cc

3. Put the plastic or paper mouthpiece around the mouth area of the spirometer4. Ask the participant to inhale at maximum volume and exhale into the spirometer as

hard as possible at a steady rate5. Record the projected cc in notebook with the pen6. Repeat the trial 2 more times for more accuracy7. Record the highest cc after 3 trials8. Before testing other participants, make sure to dispose the used mouthpieces and offer

new ones for other participants.9. Clean the spirometer with a towel after testing other couple of people

Data Collection and processing

Aspect 1: Raw data

Table 1: Trial Vital Capacity of 1st Trial of Short Distance Runners and Long Distance Runners on ISB Varsity Track and Field

# Short Distance Runners (±50 cc) Long Distance Runners (±50 cc)1 1500 22002 2100 29003 2900 25004 1700 24005 2400 30006 2200 24007 2300 37008 2400 22009 3300 330010 1900 280011 2700 240012 3100 3600

Table 1: The vital capacity measure of 12 long distance runners and 12 short distance runners of 1st trial were recorded

Table 2: Trial Vital Capacity of 2nd Trial of Short Distance Runners and Long Distance Runners on ISB Varsity Track and Field


Table 2: The vital capacity measure of 12 long distance runners and 12 short distance runners of 2nd trial

Table 3: Trial Vital Capacity of 3rd Trial of Short Distance Runners and Long Distance Runners on ISB Varsity Track and Field


Table 3: The vital capacity measure of 12 long distance runners and 12 short distance runners of 3rd trial

Table 4: Highest Vital Capacity of All 3 Trials of Short Distance Runners and Long Distance Runners on ISB Varsity Track and Field


Table 4: The highest vital capacity measure of 12 long distance runners and 12 short distance runners after 3 trials

Aspect 2: Processing raw data

Table 5: Vital Capacity Average of Non-Runners, Short Distance Runners, and Long Distance Runners on ISB Varsity Track and Field

Table 5: The total of vital capacity was divided by the amount of runners surveyed in each group to retrieve the average vital capacity. The average vital capacity difference of long distance and short distance runners can be compared. The uncertainty is also shown by error bars.Aspect 3: Presenting processed data

Sample Calculations

A t-test can be used to find out whether there is a significant difference between the means of two populations: short distance runners and longer distance runners. The larger the difference between the two means, the larger t is.

Sample 1: Testing the difference between mean vital capacity of short distance runners and long distance runners

Mean vital capacity of short distance runners= 2654.17Mean vital capacity of long distance runners= 3033.33Level of significance (P)= 0.0587Degrees of freedom= 22t= 1.9938

According to the table of critical values for t, the critical value can be found with the level of significance (P) and degrees of freedom.

Critical value for t= 2.608

The calculated value of t is much larger than the critical value, so the difference between the mean vital capacity of short distance runners and long distance runners is significant.Conclusion and Evaluation

Aspect 1: Concluding

In conclusion, the average vital capacities of short distance runners and long distance runners do differ. The average vital capacity of long distance runners is higher by almost 300 cc than the average vital capacity of short distance runners. According to the t-test, the mean difference of vital capacities between short distance runners and long distance runners is significant. We can conclude that long distance runners develop higher capacities in Track in Field. There is a correlation be between long distance and short distance events and vital capacities – runners who run longer distances have higher capacities. The correlation is thus positive. Therefore, long distance and short distance events in Track and Field do affect the vital capacity of a runner.

Aspect 2: Evaluating procedures

1. The vital capacities of Trial 2 and Trial 3 of long distance runners and short distance runners were mostly lower than the 1st trial. This could have resulted from tiredness. The 3 trials were done consecutively with about a possible 30 second resting period in between. The participants could have possibly felt tired or out of breath simply after 1 Trial thus affecting their later performance in Trial 2 and Trial 3.

2. The participants of this experiment were all tested during lunch period since that was the time period where all individual were best accessible. Lunch period is often a chaotic period where students are surrounded by their friends. When experimenting on some individuals, the presence of their friends may possibly affect the results. Some individuals could not perform at their fullest potential with the presence of their friends because they wound up laughing

Aspect 3: Improving the investigation

1. The method could be improved by having longer resting intervals for the participants. Instead of testing the same individual 3 consecutive times in a row, going to other individual first then returning to the previous individual for a 2nd trial could provide more accurate results.

2. Instead of testing the participants during lunch period or in a chaotic atmosphere, testing the students in a calmer, isolated area could possibly improve the results since there would be no distractions.

Works Cited

Allott, Andrew. Biology. 2001. Second ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.

"Vital Capacity." Wikpedia. 29 Apr. 2009. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 24 May 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vital_capacity>.

"Table of Critical Values." Chart. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Emerald. 24 May 2009 <http://www.emeraldinsight.com/fig/0400190301017.png>.

vital capacity irp

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