Anatomy and physiology labs

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Introduction to ScienceExperiment 5ATP and Muscle Fatigue Experiment Inventory

Materials *Stopwatch

*Participant (can be yourself)

*Sturdy Wall Note: You must provide the materials listed in *red.

© eScience Labs, 2016

EXPERIMENT 5: ATP AND MUSCLE FATIGUE

Muscles require energy to contract. Energy is released when biomolecules such as sugars and fats are broken down, and is stored in the form of ATP. ATP enables muscle contraction, but can be stored only in relatively small amounts. For this reason, the body must continually metabolize new ATP molecules.

Muscle fatigue occurs if the local ATP reservoir for a muscle becomes depleted. This is a common result of strenuous exercise, in which ATP is consumed at a faster rate than it is produced. At this point, muscle may fail to contract, and the intensity of an exer cise must decrease. In this experiment, you will test how long it takes your muscles to fatigue.

Note: If you suffer from a medical condition that does not permit you to perform this activity, please ask a partner to volunteer for you.

PROCEDURE

1. To begin, find a wall that is strong enough for you to push against. A temporary wall (such as a partition panel) is not suit

able.

2. Adjust the settings on the stopwatch so that it is ready to operate.

3. Stand with your back pressed against the wall and lower yourself into a “wall-sit.” To do this:

a. Align the backs of your heels, hips, and shoulders with the wall.

b. Keeping your back pressed against the wall, take a few small steps forward (your upper half will lower as you walk

your feet out).

c. Lower yourself into a sitting position, keeping your back flat against the wall, until your knees form a 90-degree angle.

d. Steady this position by focusing the majority of your weight on your heels. Do not allow your lower back to pull away

from the wall.

5. Start the stopwatch, and time how long you are able to hold the wall-sit position. The amount of time will vary but will likely

fall within approximately 30 – 120 seconds. When you are tired, check the time on the stopwatch, and move out of the posi

tion by slowly lowering your body to the floor or standing up.

6. Record how long you were able to hold the wall-sit in Table 3.

7. Allow your muscles to rest for approximately 2 minutes, reset the stopwatch, and repeat steps 3 – 5.

8. Again, allow your muscles to rest for approximately 2 minutes, reset the stopwatch, and repeat Steps 3 – 5.

© eScience Labs, 2016

Data SheetExperiment 5 Data Sheet Table 3: Muscle Fatigue Data

© eScience Labs, 2016

Trial Time (seconds) Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3