Sports Drinks Experiment
Assignment: Do sports drinks really work?
Question...
How do sports drinks affect muscle reaction time?
Hypothesis
My hypothesis is if sport drinks are consumed, then the reaction rate will improve. Sport drinks provide individuals with the required amount of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) which is lost in sweat while exercising. Maintaining adequate electrolyte levels will enable better cell function, which is needed for muscle endurance, among other bodily capabilities when exercising. On the other end Glucose is an important source of energy, and water balance is required to maintain blood pressure and proper tissue functions. Even though water contains the required amounts of sodium and potassium, water …show more content…
has no carbohydrates.
Materials * 600ml Gatorade * 600ml Powerade * 600ml Water * A stopwatch * A 30cm ruler * Two bottles * 2 test tubesExperimental design &Procedure 1. A friend and I measure our reaction time prior to exercise for comparative measures. 2. On the first day we both took a Gatorade and split it into 300ml portions respectively using the test tubes. 3. We both took one of the drinks and went on a 30min run. We sip gradually and consistently throughout the run. 4. When we return, measure each of our reaction time using the method that follows on the next page 5. On the following day we repeat our experiment following the same procedure but we only alternate the Gatorade by the powerade .Then measure our reaction time. 6. On the last day we repeat our experiment following the same procedure again but we only alternate the Powerade with water. Then we measure our reaction time. 7. I repeat the experiment all over on a period time of 3 days for a second trial.(Independent variable is the one you control – the Gatorade , Powerade and water
The dependent variable is the one you measure which depends on the independent variable = reaction time, controlled is one that must not be changed throughout an experiment because it affects the dependent variables and thus affects the outcome of the experiment= Gatorade ,powerade ,water and the time of exercise 30 min .). | |
Measuring Reaction Time 1. My friend and I place our forearm simultaneity flat on the surface of a table. Our entire hands were extended over the edge of a table. 2. Our index finger and thumb was place approximately 2 cm apart. We simultaneity Hold a 30cm ruler vertically between the thumb and forefinger. We simultaneity indicate when ready and release the ruler within the next 30s. We measure the distance the ruler falls before being caught between our thumb and forefinger. We repeat the procedure for the left hand. Then I record my data in this table. Trial 1Before Exercise Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 19 | 16 |
Gatorade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 14 | 11 |
Powerade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 17 | 15 |
Water Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 18 |
Trial 2Before Exercise Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 22 | 2 | 18 | 16 |
Gatorade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 17 | 13 |
Powerade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 18 | 17 |
Water Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 18 | 20 | 2 | 17 | 18 | so we can see here that the average for person 1 (representing my friend) is 17cm on the left arm and 19 cm on the right arm before exercise then after exercise and drinking Gatorade her average was 15 cm on the left arm and 16cm on the right, after drinking Powerade her average was 17 cm on the left and 16cm on the right, after drinking water her average was 18 on the left and 20 on the right.
For person 2(representing myself) my average before exercise is 18cm on the left and 16 cm on the right, after drinking Gatorade my average was 15 cm on the left and 12 cm on the right, after Powerade, my average was 17 on the left and 16 on the right and after water my average was 19 on the left and 18 on the right.AnalysisWe know that the process that allowed us to catch the ruler is: first , our eye saw the ruler. Then, our eye sent a message to the visual cortex, which sent a message to the motor cortex. The motor cortex sent a message to the spinal cord. The spinal cord sent a message to the muscles in our hand/fingers. Finally, our muscles contract to allow us to catch the ruler. Our brain and spinal cord make up our central nervous system. Our brain communicates with your muscles via the spinal cord using a form of electrical current (called action potential). In order to achieve quicker reaction times, the brain has to be able move information faster through the spine to reach the muscles. Sports drinks affect the rate of reaction because sport drink contains sodium and potassium so by drink the sport drink it increases sodium and potassium content on the extracellular matrix of neurons so that when an impulse goes through the neuron, there is a greater electrical gradient between the inside and outside of the axon, promoting faster diffusion. It also helps in restoring the original balance of the electron gradient, so it would allow one to fire neurons more quickly with a shorter "recharge" period.
Basically, they allow electrical impulses in neurons to travel
faster, and to go through neurons more frequently with a shorter delay between impulses.
This results in a faster transmission of information to and from the brain, with a higher resolution of information, so better reaction time.My data confirmed my prediction because I can see in my table up above that before exercise person 1 average distance was 17cm on left hand and 19 cm on right hand and person 2 average was 18cm left and 16cm right but after the run and drinking Gatorade the distance was 15cm left and 16cm right and for person 1 and 15cm and 12 cm for person 2,so we can see that the distance has improve after running and drinking Gatorade. We also see an improvement distance when we used Powerade but the improvement is not greater than when drink Gatorade. And after drinking water the improvement wasn’t that great either (as shown at the beginning of page 4). Conclusions
From our results, we can conclude that the consumption of Gatorade is best in relation to reaction time. This in turn can be related to athletic performance. Although Powerade, and water both demonstrated some positive feedback, the results were not as favorable as the results from the Gatorade testing. In summary, for better athletic performance, if one were to choose between Gatorade, Powerade, and water, Gatorade would prove to be more favorable.Evaluation Source of error 1. Since I didn't take people of different range of age and gender, I cannot assume that this conclusion will work exactly the same way on everybody. This conclusion can only be represented as the results for people of the same age and same gender as my friend and me. So for next time I can have people of different age and different gender then my own to do this experiment so I can have more accuracy on effect of the product on majority of people. 2. When I measure 2cm distance between the 2 fingers then I would remove the ruler to continue with our experiment, but my will fingers shake so I am not sure if the distance between my 2 fingers what the same at all time during the experiment. For next time I will find a person to hold the measurement in place on top of my fingers until it's time to drop the ruler. So my distance between the 2 fingers is more accurate. 3. I have sweaty hands and fingers so when my friend drop the ruler it slide a little after I grab it. So the distance would be off by a millimeters. So for next time I will make sure my hand and fingers are completely dry before starting the experiment. 4. My hand was shaking so the lower end of the ruler was not really even with the top of the thumb and forefinger. So my measurement of the distance was off by a few millimeters. So for next time I will hold my breath and not move my hand so my result can be more accurate. | |
Question...
How do sports drinks affect muscle reaction time?
Hypothesis
My hypothesis is if sport drinks are consumed, then the reaction rate will improve. Sport drinks provide individuals with the required amount of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) which is lost in sweat while exercising. Maintaining adequate electrolyte levels will enable better cell function, which is needed for muscle endurance, among other bodily capabilities when exercising. On the other end Glucose is an important source of energy, and water balance is required to maintain blood pressure and proper tissue functions. Even though water contains the required amounts of sodium and potassium, water …show more content…
has no carbohydrates.
Materials * 600ml Gatorade * 600ml Powerade * 600ml Water * A stopwatch * A 30cm ruler * Two bottles * 2 test tubesExperimental design &Procedure 1. A friend and I measure our reaction time prior to exercise for comparative measures. 2. On the first day we both took a Gatorade and split it into 300ml portions respectively using the test tubes. 3. We both took one of the drinks and went on a 30min run. We sip gradually and consistently throughout the run. 4. When we return, measure each of our reaction time using the method that follows on the next page 5. On the following day we repeat our experiment following the same procedure but we only alternate the Gatorade by the powerade .Then measure our reaction time. 6. On the last day we repeat our experiment following the same procedure again but we only alternate the Powerade with water. Then we measure our reaction time. 7. I repeat the experiment all over on a period time of 3 days for a second trial.(Independent variable is the one you control – the Gatorade , Powerade and water
The dependent variable is the one you measure which depends on the independent variable = reaction time, controlled is one that must not be changed throughout an experiment because it affects the dependent variables and thus affects the outcome of the experiment= Gatorade ,powerade ,water and the time of exercise 30 min .). | |
Measuring Reaction Time 1. My friend and I place our forearm simultaneity flat on the surface of a table. Our entire hands were extended over the edge of a table. 2. Our index finger and thumb was place approximately 2 cm apart. We simultaneity Hold a 30cm ruler vertically between the thumb and forefinger. We simultaneity indicate when ready and release the ruler within the next 30s. We measure the distance the ruler falls before being caught between our thumb and forefinger. We repeat the procedure for the left hand. Then I record my data in this table. Trial 1Before Exercise Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 15 | 17 | 2 | 19 | 16 |
Gatorade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 14 | 11 |
Powerade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 17 | 15 |
Water Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 21 | 2 | 21 | 18 |
Trial 2Before Exercise Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 22 | 2 | 18 | 16 |
Gatorade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 17 | 13 |
Powerade Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 18 | 17 |
Water Test Person | Distance, left hand (cm) | Distance, right hand (cm) | 1 | 18 | 20 | 2 | 17 | 18 | so we can see here that the average for person 1 (representing my friend) is 17cm on the left arm and 19 cm on the right arm before exercise then after exercise and drinking Gatorade her average was 15 cm on the left arm and 16cm on the right, after drinking Powerade her average was 17 cm on the left and 16cm on the right, after drinking water her average was 18 on the left and 20 on the right.
For person 2(representing myself) my average before exercise is 18cm on the left and 16 cm on the right, after drinking Gatorade my average was 15 cm on the left and 12 cm on the right, after Powerade, my average was 17 on the left and 16 on the right and after water my average was 19 on the left and 18 on the right.AnalysisWe know that the process that allowed us to catch the ruler is: first , our eye saw the ruler. Then, our eye sent a message to the visual cortex, which sent a message to the motor cortex. The motor cortex sent a message to the spinal cord. The spinal cord sent a message to the muscles in our hand/fingers. Finally, our muscles contract to allow us to catch the ruler. Our brain and spinal cord make up our central nervous system. Our brain communicates with your muscles via the spinal cord using a form of electrical current (called action potential). In order to achieve quicker reaction times, the brain has to be able move information faster through the spine to reach the muscles. Sports drinks affect the rate of reaction because sport drink contains sodium and potassium so by drink the sport drink it increases sodium and potassium content on the extracellular matrix of neurons so that when an impulse goes through the neuron, there is a greater electrical gradient between the inside and outside of the axon, promoting faster diffusion. It also helps in restoring the original balance of the electron gradient, so it would allow one to fire neurons more quickly with a shorter "recharge" period.
Basically, they allow electrical impulses in neurons to travel
faster, and to go through neurons more frequently with a shorter delay between impulses.
This results in a faster transmission of information to and from the brain, with a higher resolution of information, so better reaction time.My data confirmed my prediction because I can see in my table up above that before exercise person 1 average distance was 17cm on left hand and 19 cm on right hand and person 2 average was 18cm left and 16cm right but after the run and drinking Gatorade the distance was 15cm left and 16cm right and for person 1 and 15cm and 12 cm for person 2,so we can see that the distance has improve after running and drinking Gatorade. We also see an improvement distance when we used Powerade but the improvement is not greater than when drink Gatorade. And after drinking water the improvement wasn’t that great either (as shown at the beginning of page 4). Conclusions
From our results, we can conclude that the consumption of Gatorade is best in relation to reaction time. This in turn can be related to athletic performance. Although Powerade, and water both demonstrated some positive feedback, the results were not as favorable as the results from the Gatorade testing. In summary, for better athletic performance, if one were to choose between Gatorade, Powerade, and water, Gatorade would prove to be more favorable.Evaluation Source of error 1. Since I didn't take people of different range of age and gender, I cannot assume that this conclusion will work exactly the same way on everybody. This conclusion can only be represented as the results for people of the same age and same gender as my friend and me. So for next time I can have people of different age and different gender then my own to do this experiment so I can have more accuracy on effect of the product on majority of people. 2. When I measure 2cm distance between the 2 fingers then I would remove the ruler to continue with our experiment, but my will fingers shake so I am not sure if the distance between my 2 fingers what the same at all time during the experiment. For next time I will find a person to hold the measurement in place on top of my fingers until it's time to drop the ruler. So my distance between the 2 fingers is more accurate. 3. I have sweaty hands and fingers so when my friend drop the ruler it slide a little after I grab it. So the distance would be off by a millimeters. So for next time I will make sure my hand and fingers are completely dry before starting the experiment. 4. My hand was shaking so the lower end of the ruler was not really even with the top of the thumb and forefinger. So my measurement of the distance was off by a few millimeters. So for next time I will hold my breath and not move my hand so my result can be more accurate. | |