Investigating the Effects of Physical Activity on Breathing (Cambridge International IGCSE Science)

Investigating the Effects of Physical Activity on Breathing

• Exercise increases the frequency and depth of breathing
• This can be investigated in various ways, for example counting the breaths taken during one minute at rest and measuring average chest expansion over 5 breaths using a tape measure held around the chest
• Exercise (such a star jumps/jogging on the spot) for a set time period (at least 3 minutes)
• Immediately after exercising, count the breaths taken in one minute and measure the average chest expansion over 5 breaths
• Following exercise, the number of breaths per minute will increase and the chest expansion will also increase

Exam Hint For those of you studying the Extended content you can read the explanation for the results to this investigation here.