Does age affect pulse pressure differently in athletes with Athlete Heart Syndrome? AHS (Athlete Heart Syndrome) is a condition where intense training enlarges the heart. It causes a slower heartbeat and higher pulse pressure (the gap between systolic and diastolic readings).
You measure blood pressure in 60 people split into three age groups. The groups span ages 15 to 60. Each group has 10 athletes diagnosed with AHS and 10 non-athletes. You calculate pulse pressure by subtracting diastolic from systolic.
Athletes with AHS had lower heart rates but higher pulse pressure than non-athletes. Pulse pressure also increased with age in both groups.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that athletes with AHS have a higher pulse pressure compared to normal persons, and the pulse pressure increases as they age.
A blood pressure reading gives two numbers, systolic for the push when the heart beats, diastolic for the push while it rests. Subtracting diastolic from systolic gives pulse pressure, the gap between the two. Tracking that gap across age groups shows how the numbers diverge.
Pulse pressure is the gap between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. This project measures it in 60 people split into three age groups, with each group including athletes diagnosed with Athlete Heart Syndrome (AHS) and non-athletes. Athletes with AHS had higher pulse pressure than non-athletes. As age increased, pulse pressure climbed in both groups.
Method & Materials
You will measure the pulse pressure of 60 participants divided into 3 age groups. 10 participants in each group will be athletes with AHS and 10 will be non-athletes.
You will need 10 athletes aged between 15 and 30 years, diagnosed with AHS, 10 athletes aged between 31 and 45 years, diagnosed with AHS, 10 athletes aged between 46 and 60 years, diagnosed with AHS, 10 non-athletes aged between 15 and 30 years, 10 non-athletes aged between 31 and 45 years, 10 non-athletes aged between 46 and 60 years, and a blood pressure checking device.
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The results of the experiment showed that athletes with AHS had a lower heart rate but their pulse pressure was higher than the normal (non-athlete) persons. The pulse pressure of the participants also increased with age.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it explores the differences between athletes and non-athletes in terms of pulse pressure and age.
Also Consider
Variations of this science project could include comparing the physiological differences between male athletes and female athletes, or conducting a survey to compare the occurrence of heart disease among athletes and non-athletes.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.
Compare blood pressure readings over seven days between a group practicing yoga and a group watching television to see which routine brings numbers down.
