Lab Nine: Cardiovascular Analysis with Systolic and Diastolic Blood Presssure,  ECG & Photocell Plethysmographic Pulse During Exercise and Internal vs. External Attention

Apparatus

A Coulbourne bioamplifier will amplify the electrocardiogram signal to be displayed on the Windows 2000 computer. A photocell plethysmographic transducer and its amplifier will similarly provide a signal for display on the same computer.

A Critikon Sphygmomanometer will monitor systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Procedure

Select the participant. Place and attach the electrodes onto the wrist and ankle on opposite sides of the body. Use a Lead two placement of right arm and left leg. Place the photocell on the index finger so that the transducer is on a fleshy part of the skin.  Place the blood pressure cuff on the upper left arm. Once the electrodes and transducers are attached, run a baseline for approximately 30 seconds. Make certain the timer is marking at 1 per second. Each time that you mark the record below take a sample of  blood pressure by pressing the "Start" button on the Critikon unit and note the systolic and diastolic blood pressures on the table below.

MARK THE RECORD and have the partner ask the subject and ask the subject to press on his or her knee with a free hand for 1 min.

MARK THE RECORD and then allow the subject to recover for 2 min.

MARK THE RECORD and then ask the subject to read some  material you provide for about 2min.

MARK THE RECORD for a 2 min baseline..

MARK THE RECORD then have the subject have the subject anticipate to throw a crumpled piece of paper on the partner's command into a garbage can across the room 3 times.

The subject should get be instructed to get ready to throw by looking at the target and having hand ready until the experimenter chooses to say "go." Try not initiate any emotionality in your instructions.

The experimenter should have the subject wait 30 seconds before signaling them so a reliable anticipation heart rate can be taken. MARK THE RECORD record an additional 30 sec period to assess recovery from anticipation.

When recovering the recorded data compress the output by reducing the time base by pressing page up.

Calculate the heart rate in beats per minute for reading and for anticipation. Sample 20 or thirty seconds from the record at appropriate times.

Lab Questions:

1. Fill in the following:

	beats p.m.	pulse p.m.	SBP/DBP
pre-experimental
exercise
recovery
reading
reading recovery
anticipatory response

2. If the reading heart rate is higher than the anticipatory heart rate, as
expected, why?
3. How does movement affect the record?
4. How does electrode contact (resistance) affect the record?
5. Are you aware of your heart beat? What do you feel?
6. What is an average heart rate? Is a resting baseline really average?

7. Are pulse rates and EKG similar? Why?

REFERENCE

Andreassi, J. L. (2000). Psychophysiology Human Behavior & Physiological Response.Hillsdale, New Jersey: Earlbaum

For further Reading:

Cacioppo, J. T., Uchino, B.N., & Berntson, G.G. (1994). Individual differences in the autonomic origins of heart rate reactivity: The psychometrics of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and preejection period. Psychophysiology, 31, 412-419.

Schandry, R., Bestler, M. & Montoya, P. (1993). On the relation betweencardiodynamics and heartbeat perception. Psychophysiology, 30, 467-474.