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RUNNING HEAD: How Media Affects Heart Rate—Beyke et al
How Emotion from Media Affects Heart Rate
Alexis Beyke, Franky Onley, Adrianne Peech
Life Science Academy, Owensboro Community and Technical College, Owensboro KY, 42301
Abstract
Heart rate is important for many things in life. Our group tested heart rate for our experiment. Our
results show many things, including how emotion and mood can all have an effect on heart rate.
Our hypothesis was proven correctly in the end.
Introduction
To begin this experiment, first one must understand what heart rate is. Heart rate is the
number of times your heart beats in one minute’s time, more commonly known as pulse. Heart
rate is one complete sequence/cycle of pumping and filling of blood, an average adult at rest
completes seventy-five cardiac cycles a minute, and a child’s heart rate is higher than an adult’s
heart rate. “Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better
cardiovascular fitness. Although there's a wide range of normal, an unusually high or low heart
rate may indicate an underlying problem.”( Edward R. Laskowski, M.D, Sep. 29, 2012)There are
two steps to heart rate; systole, which is the contraction phase (“the normal rhythmical contraction
of the heart, during which the blood in the chambers is forced onward.”) and diastole, which is the
relaxation phase (“the normal rhythmical dilatation of the heart during which the chambers are
filling with blood.”) (Dictionary.com, nd).. A range of things can have an influence on your heart
rate, including emotion/mood, body position, fitness, activity, temperature/weather, medication,
and even genes.
There are nine main types of heart rates. The first and most common is a Normal Sinus
Rhythm, which ranges from 60-100 beats per minute. Another common heart rate is Premature
Ventricular Contraction, which is when the heart beats to early causing disruption to the pattern.
Next is a more serious case known as First Degree Heart Block, it is a common problem to have,
but is not one to always want, it is where the intervals of heart beats are longer than average.
Another heart rate is Second Degree Heart Block, also known as Type One: Wenckebach, similar
to first degree except pause intervals last longer. Junctional Rhythm occurs when the heart atria
and ventricles do not beat in correspondence. Atrial Fibrillation is when the atria receives electrical
signals causing it to fibrillate rapidly. Atrial Flutter occurs when the atria beats to fast complicating
heart rhythm. Ventricle Fibrillation is when the ventricles move in such rapid ways that the heart
shudders. Ventricle Tachycardia is when your heart beats unusually fast.
Our objective was to prove whether or not what we are exposed to in the media affects our
heart rate. Our group’s hypothesis was “If you watch a video that is soothing, then your heart rate
will be slower. And if the video is scary, then your heart rate will be faster.”
Materials and Method
Materials needed and used in this lab included the Vernier Heart Rate Hand-Grip Monitor,
Vernier LabQuest® Mini with USB cable, Computer with Vernier Logger Pro® software, Timer,
Laboratory journal, PLTW Biomedical Science Experimental Design resource sheet, headphones,
and a Computer with YouTube. Due to time and availability we were only able to test two female
subjects, known as subjects one and two. We obtained their heart rate using the Logger Pro®
software and Vernier Heart Rate Hand-Grip Monitor.
To begin our experiment we first set up both computers, one with Logger Pro®, and the
other with You Tube and the correct videos already pulled up. The second step was to set up the
Vernier Heart Rate Hand-Grip Monitor, and Vernier LabQuest® Mini with USB cable correctly.
Once everything was set up properly and ready for use, subject one would have their resting heart
rate tested and then proceed with the experiment by watching a calming video (our group chose
classical music) holding the Vernier Heart Rate Hand-Grip Monitor while the equipment collected
data for their heart rate for three minutes of the video. Next the subject would wait one minute for
heart rate to even out and for data to be saved and stored properly. After the pause the patient
would watch a scary video for three minutes while the equipment collected data. Then we saved
subject ones data and repeated the process with subject two.
Results
The resting heart rate of subject one was 75 beats per minute, and subject two’s was
72 beats per minute, they were both fairly similar and within a normal healthy range of someone
their age. For the soothing video subject one had a heart rate of 76 beats per minute, and subject
two had a heart rate of 96 beats per minute. For the scary video subject one had a heart rate of 132
beats per minute, and subject two had a heart rate of 100 beats per minute.
Tables and Graphs
Scary
Soothing
Normal
Subject One
133
76
75
Subject Two
100
98
72
The heart rates of the subjects throughout the experiment.
Subject One: Scary video test
Subject Two: Scary video test
Subject One: Soothing video test
Subject Two: Soothing video test
Discussion
If given more time our experiment could have gone better. Our results show that
when played soothing music heart rate is slower, and when played scary videos heart rate is
quicker.
Acknowledgments
Our group would like to thank Owensboro Community and Technical College, and the Life
Science Academy for providing us with lab space, Logger Pro®, wireless internet, and any
additional technology and supplies we may have used.
Literature Cited
Dictionary.com. (nd). No title. [Accessed 2 March, 2015]. Retrieved from
http://dictionary.reference.com/
Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. (Sep. 29, 2012). What’s a Normal Heart Rate?. Mayo Clinic.
[Accessed 2 March, 2015]. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthyliving/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979