A student wants to investigate how heart rate changes during a 5km run. Explain how they could refine this initial idea into a well-structured research question for investigating physiological responses to aerobic training. (5 marks)
--- 15 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
Sample Answer
- Specify the exact physiological response by focusing on particular aspects of heart rate (resting, maximum, recovery rate). Refinement such as this is necessary because it provides measurable and specific variables for investigation.
- Define the exercise conditions clearly, including the pace of the run (time-based or percentage of maximum effort). Thus ensuring standardised conditions and enables reliable data collection.
- Consider participant characteristics that might be relevant (age, fitness level, training experience). This helps control variables that could influence heart rate responses and improves validity.
- Identify whether the question will examine immediate responses or adaptations over multiple training sessions. Making distinctions like this is important because it determines study design.
- Include measurement timing and control variables such as environmental conditions and warm-up protocols. This creates a comprehensive framework.
- A refined research question might be: “How does heart rate respond and recover in 16-18 year old students when completing a 5km run at 70% estimated maximum?”
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
- Specify the exact physiological response by focusing on particular aspects of heart rate (resting, maximum, recovery rate). Refinement such as this is necessary because it provides measurable and specific variables for investigation.
- Define the exercise conditions clearly, including the pace of the run (time-based or percentage of maximum effort). Thus ensuring standardised conditions and enables reliable data collection.
- Consider participant characteristics that might be relevant (age, fitness level, training experience). This helps control variables that could influence heart rate responses and improves validity.
- Identify whether the question will examine immediate responses or adaptations over multiple training sessions. Making distinctions like this is important because it determines study design.
- Include measurement timing and control variables such as environmental conditions and warm-up protocols. This creates a comprehensive framework.
- A refined research question might be: “How does heart rate respond and recover in 16-18 year old students when completing a 5km run at 70% estimated maximum?”