Aim: The aim of this thesis was to contribute to a better understanding of heart rate during exercise with the aim of improving the precision with which heart rate can be used to measure intensity during running. Accordingly, heart rate responses were examined in long distance runners during different types of training and racing. The thesis also examined the effects of environmental and body temperature on heart rate during submaximal and maximal running. Study 1: Ten male provincial and national class road runners (VO₂max = 67.1 ± 3.8 mlO₂.kg⁻¹. min⁻¹) were recruited for the study. All the subjects completed questionnaires on their training history and recorded their training sessions in their diaries. The subjects wore heart rate monitors during training and racing. There was no convincing evidence that competitive runners who train at higher intensities have a better running performance. A poor relationship was found between %VO₂max and %HRmax. Finally, heart rate during races was higher compared to heart rates during training. The cause of the elevated heart rate during races was not clear. Study 2: The relationship between heart rate and running speed during competition was not well understood. Accordingly, an elite long distance male runner (25 years, VO₂max = 71 mlO₂.kg⁻¹. min⁻¹) was studied over a 5-month period during which time he participated in 9 races (5 km - 28 km). The subject wore a heart rate monitor which measured his heart rate throughout the race and his split running times each kilometre. The subject underwent a field test during which the heart rate/running speed relationship was determined under non-competitive conditions (r = 0.99). However, in the race situation there was no relationship between heart rate and running speed (r = 0.02). It was concluded that during competition there was no relationship between heart rate and running speed, whereas in a non-competitive situation heart rate was proportional to running intensity. Study 3: With a poor relationship found between heart rate and running speed during races in the previous study, other factors like environmental conditions and core temperature were hypothesised to have effects on heart rate. Accordingly, twelve highly trained distance runners were recruited for the study. Each subject ran on a treadmill (30 minutes at 70% peak treadmill running speed, followed by 8 km time trial) in different ambient temperatures (15°C, 25°C and 35°C) with humidity (60%) and wind speed (15 km.h⁻¹) kept constant. Heart rate, RPE and Tre were recorded every 5 minutes during the submaximal and the maximal trials. When subjects were exercising at 70% of peak treadmill running speed at 15°C, no cardiovascular drift was observed, at least for 30 minutes. However, during the same exercise test at 25 °C and 35°C there was a significant increase in heart rate. In the maximal exercise test the average heart rate was significantly higher during the trial at 35°C compared to the trials at 15° C and 25° C. It was concluded that heart rate can be used as an accurate measure of running intensity in cooler (15 ° C) ambient temperature. In summary, this thesis described the practical use of heart rate monitors during training and competition and at different temperatures. Data are provided which suggest that heart rate can accurately assess exercise intensity providing factors which affect the heart rate/running speed relationship are controlled.

published_or_final_version / Sports Science / Master / Master of Science in Sports Science

The purpose of this study was to describe mathematically the oxygen uptake kinetics during cycle ergometry, and to examine the effect of intensity on the kinetic responses within the severe domain. Sixteen volunteers performed a series of exercise tests at a range of intensities selected to elicit fatigue in ~3 to 10 min. A simple mono-exponential model effectively described the response across all intensities. There was a positive correlation between the response time and the time to fatigue, demonstrating that the maximal oxygen uptake was achieved faster at higher intensities within the severe domain. Models incorporating two components effectively described the responses only in tests lasting 8 min or more. It was concluded that there is a second, slow component in the oxygen uptake response only at the lower intensities within the severe domain.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Using Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology, this study illuminates the lived experience of an adapted dance program for individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. The overall pattern from both dancers and family members was adapted dance: connecting mind, body and soul. The primary theme from dancer interpretations was expressing a mosaic of positive experiences, and the primary theme from family member interpretations was experiencing pride in their loved ones. The dance program provided dancers an opportunity to express their authentic self while experiencing moments of full embodiment in the connection of their mind, body and soul. While dancers experienced the connection of mind-body-soul, family members recognized the importance of this connection in their loved one. This research is instrumental in advocating for opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to experience dance as a social, physical and intellectual activity that results in learning and increasing social interactions. The research findings from this study can support future initiatives for dance programs that may influence a population that has limited access to physical activity and dance. The study’s teaching strategies, dance activities, class procedures and sequences, and feedback techniques can be used by other professionals who teach individuals with intellectual disabilities.