1. The Effect of Video Games on an Individual’s Heart Rate
Researched by Jada Crouch
Health Science Biology Major Biology Department of Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 38505

2. Introduction
Not many people realize that their heart rate is changed when playing a video game
Any new information could help in the advancement in understanding the role of individual differences in the processes of stress and in associated diseases (Ricarte et al 2001).

3. Introduction
video games have been shown to provoke a significant cardiovascular response (measured by HR & BP )
studies conducted (Dorman, 1997):
•mean HR of college-age men  when they played video games
HR of males and females, ages 16-25,  when playing video games

4. Introduction
Data Examples (Ballard & Wiest, 1998 and Panee & Ballard 2000):
•playing a more violent video game  HR more significantly than playing a more relaxed video game

5. Objective & Hypothesis
Objective Statement
The objective of my research is to determine if an individual’s HR , , or stays unchanged after playing a video game compared to before playing the video game.

6. Objective & Hypothesis
I plan to prove that an individual’s HR will  after playing a video game compared to before playing the video game.

7. Methods & Materials
The method that was used to test the hypothesis is as follows:
1. First, the video game system was set up.
2. Ten healthy individuals between the ages of were then selected.
3. Each individual rested for five minutes before playing the game.

8. Methods & Materials (cont’d)
4. Each individual’s pulse was then checked for one minute by feeling the individual’s wrist directly under the thumb with the tester’s pointer and index fingers put together.
5. Each individual then played the video game for five minutes.

9. Methods & Materials (cont’d)
6. Each individual’s pulse was then checked for one minute after they were finished playing the video game.
7. Then steps 3 through 7 were repeated two times (Rees and Bell, 1)

10. Methods & Materials (cont’d)
The material used to test the hypothesis is as follows:
•Timer
•Data collection sheet
•Tony Hawk Pro-Skater III
•Sony Playstation

11. Heart Rate 1 Min. After Playing
Results
Comparisons of individual’s heart rate before and after playing the video game.
Individual
Heart Rate Before Playing
Heart Rate 1 Min. After Playing
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Individual 1 63 65 64 76 79 80
Individual 2 73 88 90
Individual 3 74 89 92
Individual 4 81 82 96 95
Individual 5 68 70 71 93
Individual 6 72 85 86
Individual 7 66 84
Individual 8 78 98
102
104
Individual 9 75 94
Individual 10 83
105
107
Averages:
72.5
74.4
89.7
91.1
92.8

12. Results
Comparisons of individual’s heart rate before and after playing the video game.

13. Results Calculations:
Total average heart rate before playing the video game:
= 73.6 beats per minute 3
Total average heart rate after playing the video game:
= 91.2 beats per minute
Differences between the total average heart rate before and after playing:
91.2 beats per minute
-73.6
17.6 beats per minute

14. Discussion & Conclusion
total average heart rate before playing the video game = 73.6 beats per minute
total average heart rate after playing the video game = 91.2 beats per minute
a difference of 17.6 beats per minute!
Thus, data collected definitely showed that video games do affect the HR of individuals by ↑ the HR significantly, which supports the hypothesis.

15. Discussion and Conclusion
It is was noted that there was an  of heart rate in all individual’s that participated
No research has been conducted thus far to disagree with the hypothesis or data

16. Discussion and Conclusion
When performing this research again, one could separate the novice and skilled video game players.
This could possibly explain why some individual’s HR did not ↑ as much as others.

17. Questions?