Lab Report: the Effects of Arm Length on Maximum Power

Arm length to height Proportions: Height/Arm Length=> 167/63= 2. 65 Power: (Weight x 352)/Time3 => (69 x 352)/7. 63. Maximum Power: Maximum (All power) Average Arm length to height Proportions: sum of values/number of values=> (221.

4+269. 8)/2=245. 6 Correlation: (Formula by Excel) Graph Circled are anomalies: They are far away from the trend. Circled are anomalies; they are not precise: far away from trend. Analysis Correlation: The graph on the previous page, showed a weak positive trend, since data point at proportion 2. 55 and 2.

58 were anomalous. Therefore the correlation (calculated by excel) was a fairly weak correlation of 0. 30688 (the closer to 1, the stronger the correlation). This suggests that there is a weak relationship between the dependent and independent variable.Therefore this could possibly mean that the increase of arm length to height proportion correspondingly increases the maximum power, produced, if not a third variable cause.

Interpreting the Gradient: Due to lack of data points it is hard to produce an accurate trend line, however observing from the one we have here, is it is clear that the gradient is a steep (9x). The gradient of the line is y ~ 9x + 199. The graphs scale is shrunk, therefore may not look steep. Limitations There were two anomalies recorded at x=2.

55 and 2. 8; in order for there to be control over the controlled variables, this limited the athlete choice, therefore limiting the chance of getting athletes with the same arm length to body height proportion. As a result it was a hard to produce an average for both proportions of 2. 55 and 2.

58. This research question may have not been suitable with the limited amount of athletes available. Accuracy was a concern, since it is possible that the maximum power calculated, may have been inaccurate. I was unable to calculate this with a different method. I was unable to conduct further attempts for the RAST test, since the athletes participating were not enthusiastic, to further the research process.Therefore I could not conduct an average, increase reliability, by testing with different measuring equipment, for each athlete.

This was also due to the time limit. Equipment for measuring was limited, therefore, possibly limiting the accuracy. For example there was no height measurer, or reliable balancing scales –glass balancing scales. There was a limited scale on the measuring equipment available; therefore students were unable to increase their precision. Furthermore, due to the designated session for the RAST test, as well as the time limit during the experimentation.

This may have reduced the reliability of the results, if this variable came into effect. (MAC, 2012) ConclusionExplained below is the explanation of anomalous results and the conclusion. By observing the results table, the athlete with arm to height proportion 2. 55 produced an anomalous-low maximum power, in the results table it shows that the athlete insufficiently swung his arms during the exercise. However if the athletes swung his arms during the exercise the maximum power may have increased by a small amount (Joanne, 2010) –moving the data point possibly closer to the trend. To prove this, both athletes with arm length to height proportion 2.

61 and 2. 62, both used swung their arms sufficiently, producing little range between the two maximum powers. As for the anomalous result on proportion 2. 8, this was caused due to the difference of physical and psychological state of the athlete –more ready and excited than the rest of the athletes. As a result, it is fair to say that the increase of the proportion linking arm length and body height corresponds to the increase of maximum power, in a small amount. Thus, proving my prediction correct.

The scientific explanation for the effect on maximum power, by arm length to height proportions, is that the longer your arm is to the body height, the more thrust force is produced during exercise. Furthermore, according to the website About. com, increasing maximum power can be achieved with smaller muscles in the arm, such as the deltoids, the triceps and biceps.Therefore if there is a greater proportion, the muscle length would also increase; (staying proportioned), this in turn would help the athlete achieve a higher maximum power. (Elizabeth, 2012). Evaluation Problems: 1.

Time laps during the RAST test was not averaged, increasing the chance of human error. 2. Results were taken at different periods and different days, this may have increased the chance of the uncontrollable variables from occurring, e. g. temperature, 3. While measuring the arm length and weight, I did not conduct further attempts; the height was also measured by a scale constructed by myself using two meter sticks.

Weight was also measured by different types of scales. Again, increasing the probability of human error –possibly not accurate Solution: 1.In order to minimise human error and increase accuracy, instead of using just one person to record time laps, two people used will increase reliability, by averaging the different times. 2.

Consistency and efficiency in the next experiment will give me more time to conduct further attempts in one day, and therefore be able to conduct an average. Thus in the next experiment my results will be more reliability. 3. Conduct further attempts (3-5, attempts). Plan the collection of data in detail, so that each result is measured by the same type(s) of equipment, so that results produced are more reliable and accurate. Bibliography Elizabeth, Q.

, 2012. Power Sports Training - Sports Training for Speed and Explosive Power. [Online] Available at: http://sportsmedicine. about. om/od/strengthtraining/a/PowerTraining. htm [Accessed 13 3 2013].

Joanne, S. , 2010. The Importance of a Proper Arm Swing | RunAddicts. [Online] Available at: http://www.

runaddicts. net/tips-tricks/the-importance-of-a-proper-arm-swing [Accessed 19 3 2013]. MAC, B. , 2012. Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test - RAST.

[Online] Available at: http://www. brianmac. co. uk/rast.

htm [Accessed 6 March 2013]. Tackett, C. , 2013. Factors affecting muscle strength. [Online] Available at: http://www. mamashealth.

com/exercise/musstren. asp [Accessed 11 March 2013]. Williams, G. , 1996.

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