© Nuffield Foundation 2011

Nuffield Mathematics Activity

Heart rate

© Nuffield Foundation 2011

Do you know how to measure your heart rate?

How is heart rate affected by exercising or relaxing?

What else could affect your heart rate?

© Nuffield Foundation 2011

If you are right handed, hold your left hand out with your palm facing up and your elbow straight.

Put the index and middle fingers of your right hand together.

Press the pads of your fingers lightly on the underside of your left wrist, just at the base of your thumb.

If you are left handed, use the index and middle fingers of your left hand to find the pulse on the underside of your right wrist.

How to measure your pulse: step 1

© Nuffield Foundation 2011

With your fingers in this position, you should be able to feel your pulse beating.

If you are having trouble finding your pulse, move your finger around slightly. Keep a firm pressure on your wrist with your index finger, while feeling the blood move under your skin with your middle finger.

Alternatively, you can use the same two fingers on the side of your neck, just underneath your jaw.

How to measure your pulse: step 2

© Nuffield Foundation 2011

At the end of the activity

• What were the results of your investigation?

• Did your data collection sheet work well?

• How accurate were your data?

• Did you use the most appropriate statistical diagram and

measures of location and spread?

• Are your results what you expected?