MANUAL PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICAL - Repository:The Medical ...

FM/UOJ
Experiment C 3
EFFECTS OF POSTURE AND INTRATHORACIC PRESSURE
(TEST FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS I)
Physical fitness is the state of readiness and ability to perform physical work.
The fitness cannot be assessed by any single test. Tests for physical fitness are
classified into three main groups: muscular performance, organic function and
combination of organic function and muscular performance. The first category of tests
are simple and straight forward, two test for organic function will be carried out in this
class. A test with a combination of muscular work and organic function will be carried
out at a subsequent class. These tests are based on assessing the cardiovascular
response to different types of stress which are mediated by autonomic nervous system.
Effects of Posture
Crampton’s index for vasomotor tone
This test is based on the change in pulse rate and systolic blood pressure when
posture is changed from reclining to standing.
Instruments
Sphygmomanometer, Stethoscope and a bed
Method
Allow the subject to relax on a bed (reclining) for at least five minutes and
measure the systolic blood pressure and the pulse rate. Repeat the reading until the
subsequent results agree. Then let the subject stand upright with minimal muscular
effort. (Ideally the bed should be tilted by 90°). After two minutes of standing measure
the blood pressure and the pulse rate.
Calculation
1. Calculate the changes (standing – lying pulse rate and systolic pressure)
2. Determine the index of fitness from Crampton’s index for fitness.
3. Explain the physiological basis of the changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
Circulation
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