The Valsalva Effect

1. The Valsalva Effect BioResearch Club Physiology Group

2. What is the Valsalva Effect? • When expiratory force is occurring, blood pressure can rise drastically. • The pressure that builds up in the chest can stop blood flow to the heart. • After venous activity is stalled there is a sudden release of pressure that causes the heart’s output to increase rapidly. • After about 24 seconds normal cardiac output begins, the pressure usually rises before returning to normal.

3. The significance of The Valsalva Effect • The effect of the valsalva maneuver has a powerful impact on the health of an individual. • Patients that have heart problems are vulnerable to severe strokes.

4. Hypothesis • Due to mass and age of subject val salva will decrease when lifting and increase during final lifting and descend during the last stage of experimentation.

5. The Experiment • volunteers (16-18) and parents sign waiver form • 2 testing visits at 30 minutes per visit • each individual weighed • each individual undergoes a pulmonary lung function test to measure the amount of air breathed in and out • One group is deeply familiar with proper lifting procedure and the other group is given brief instruction on proper lifting procedure • each group will lift weight 40% of their body weight • resting heart rate recorded by ECG • 10 electrodes placed on each individual • individual will lift and heart rate is monitored to record changes • recovery heart rate is recorded • time it takes to return to resting rate is recorded

6. Interested? This is what you can to do… • YOU need to get a permission slip to be a part of the experiment • YOUR parents and a witness must sign the slip before you may participate. • YOU must attend the actual experimentation session

7. What’s on the Slip? • Purpose • Participation Selection • Explanation of Procedures • Address of Discomfort and Risks • Benefits • Confidentiality • Gender Seperation