Sample Answer 

• A suitable research question would be: “How does recovery heart rate over a 5-minute period following a standardised 15-minute aerobic circuit differ between students who participate in regular sport and those who don’t?”
• This question specifies the physiological response being measured (recovery heart rate) over a defined time period (5 minutes).
• The aerobic stimulus is clearly identified (15-minute standardized circuit) to ensure consistency across all participants.
• The question establishes comparative groups (regular sport participants vs. non-participants) to investigate potential differences in physiological responses.
• To ensure the question addresses physiological responses to aerobic training, heart rate measurements would be taken at consistent intervals during recovery (e.g., immediately after exercise, then at 1, 3, and 5 minutes).
• The question is designed to be measurable using accessible equipment such as heart rate monitors or manual pulse measurement techniques.
• Results would provide insight into cardiovascular recovery efficiency, which is a key physiological adaptation to regular aerobic training.

Sample Answer 

• Identify a specific physiological response of interest (e.g., heart rate, ventilation rate, body temperature) that can be reliably measured.
• Determine the exact aerobic training activity or protocol to be studied, including details of duration and intensity.
• Consider the particular aspect of the response to investigate (immediate changes, recovery patterns, or adaptations over time).
• Formulate a question that establishes a clear relationship between the training and the physiological response, using precise language and avoiding ambiguity.

Sample Answer 

• A suitable research question would be: “How does varying exercise intensity (50%, 70%, and 90% of maximum heart rate) affect blood lactate levels during a 15-minute continuous cycling session?”
• This question isolates one specific FITT component (intensity) while controlling others (frequency, time, and type) to establish clear cause-effect relationships.
• Blood lactate is a measurable physiological response that directly reflects metabolic processes during aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
• The question includes specific, quantifiable intensity levels creating distinct independent variable conditions for comparison.
• The time frame (15 minutes) is sufficient to observe physiological responses while remaining practical for research participants to complete.
• The question allows for collection of objective numerical data suitable for statistical analysis.
• The investigation could be conducted using a repeated measures design where each participant completes all three intensity levels, minimizing individual variation.
• Results would have practical applications for training prescription and understanding thresholds where metabolic pathways shift from primarily aerobic to increased anaerobic contribution.

Sample Answer 

• Specify the exact physiological response by focusing on particular aspects of heart rate (resting, maximum, recovery rate, or recovery time).
• Define the exercise conditions clearly, including the pace of the run (time-based or percentage of maximum effort).
• Consider participant characteristics that might be relevant to include in the question (age, fitness level, training experience).
• Identify whether the question will examine immediate responses or adaptations over multiple training sessions.
• 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% of their estimated maximum heart rate?”

Sample Answer 

• An appropriate research question would be: “How do ventilation rates differ between trained and untrained individuals during a 20-minute aerobic exercise session at 70% of maximum heart rate?”
• This question identifies a specific physiological response (ventilation rate) that can be objectively measured using breathing frequency or spirometry.
• The question establishes a clear comparative framework between defined groups (trained versus untrained) allowing for analysis of differences.
• Exercise parameters are precisely defined (20 minutes, 70% MHR) ensuring standardisation across participants.
• The question is testable using equipment likely available in a school setting (heart rate monitors and manual counting of breathing rate).
• The investigation would generate quantitative data suitable for statistical analysis to determine significance of any observed differences.
• Results could contribute to understanding of respiratory adaptations to aerobic training and potentially inform training recommendations.
• The question avoids unnecessary complexity while still allowing for meaningful investigation of an observed physiological phenomenon.

Sample Answer 

• The research question should specify exactly which aerobic activities will be compared (e.g., running, cycling, swimming) to maintain a focused scope.
• The question must clearly define oxygen consumption measurement (VO₂, L/min or ml/kg/min) and whether peak or average values will be analysed.
• Exercise intensity parameters must be standardised across activities (e.g., same percentage of maximum heart rate or perceived exertion) to enable valid comparisons.
• Duration of each activity should be consistent and specified in the question to control for differences in energy expenditure.
• The question should avoid directional bias or assumptions about which activity might produce higher oxygen consumption.
• A well-formulated question might be: “How does oxygen consumption (ml/kg/min) compare between 20-minute sessions of running, cycling, and rowing when performed at 65-70% of maximum heart rate?”

Sample Answer 

• Begin by identifying the specific aspect of recovery heart rate to be examined (rate of decline, time to return to baseline, or percentage recovery at set time points).
• Define the aerobic training stimulus precisely, including intensity (e.g., percentage of maximum heart rate) and duration of the exercise.
• Consider the timeframe for measuring recovery (immediate post-exercise and at what intervals thereafter).
• Ensure the question is measurable using available equipment such as heart rate monitors or pulse palpation techniques.
• Refine the question to be specific, clear, and focused on a single relationship rather than multiple variables, such as “How does a 15-minute run at 70% maximum heart rate affect the time taken for heart rate to return to within 10% of resting values?”

Sample Answer 

• Specific physiological response being measured (e.g., heart rate, ventilation rate, blood lactate levels) must be clearly identified.
• Type of aerobic training or exercise protocol should be defined with specific parameters such as duration, intensity, or frequency.
• Target population or participant group should be specified if the research is focused on a particular demographic.
• Relationship or effect being investigated should be clearly articulated (e.g., immediate response, recovery pattern, or training adaptation).