Muscle Fatigue Activity
Life Science & Physiology BIO-03 // CONTINUOUS GRAPHING LAB
Muscle Fatigue Activity
Student:
Date:
Period:
Partner:
Scientific Variable Detective: Determine independent vs. dependent before graphing
Independent Variable (X-Axis): Controlled on a steady, continuous schedule:
Dependent Variable (Y-Axis): Biological response that changes with fatigue:
Lab Mission: Squeeze a clothespin completely open as many times as possible across six continuous 10-second intervals (60s non-stop). Record counts, set up your scale, and graph your fatigue slope.
1
Muscular Endurance Data Log
Record total complete pinches per 10-second window
| Time Interval | 0–10 sec | 11–20 sec | 21–30 sec | 31–40 sec | 41–50 sec | 51–60 sec |
|---|
| Dominant Hand (Pinches) | | | | | | |
| Non-Dominant / Partner | | | | | | |
Graphing Success Checklist (T.A.I.L.S.):
Title Axes (IV on X, DV on Y) Intervals Labels (Units) Scale
Y-Axis Scale Strategy: Peak: ÷ 9 intervals = . Count by:
X-Axis Scale Strategy: Label 6 tick marks for 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s.
Graph Title:
↑ Y-Axis (DV) Label & Unit:
↑ Y-Axis (Dependent Variable) & Unit:
0
→ X-Axis (Independent Variable) & Unit:
Tactile Graphing Rule: Fill in your axis scale numbers in the dashed boxes. Plot each coordinate pair with a bold dot (•) and connect sequentially using a ruler.
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Fatigue Telemetry & Biological Analysis
Deconstructing Muscle Endurance, Negative Slope, and Continuous Time Series
Part 2: Evidence & Insights
2
Trend Detective: Analyzing the Fatigue Curve
A. Peak Burst vs. Exhaustion: Compare your initial 10-second sprint with your final 10-second interval:
Initial (0–10s) Squeezes:
Final (51–60s) Squeezes:
Total Drop (−Δ):
B. Steepest Negative Slope: Between which two consecutive 10-second intervals did your squeeze count drop most dramatically?
Between sec and sec.
What physical sensations in your hand/forearm matched this steep drop?
3
Cellular Energy & Interpolation
Your muscle cells rapidly consume stored energy. When oxygen delivery cannot keep pace with demand, cells switch to fermentation, causing lactic acid accumulation that impairs muscle contractions.
1. Interpolate at 25 Seconds: Find 25s halfway between 20s and 30s. Move straight up to your line, then read across to your calibrated Y-axis.
Estimated Squeezes:
2. Fatigue Plateau: Did your graph continue to plunge to zero, or did it flatten into a steady "fatigue plateau"? Why?
4
Comparative Challenge: Dual-Line Graph
Compare muscular endurance between different muscle groups or partners. Choose either your Non-Dominant Hand or your Lab Partner's Data:
Trial 2 Type:
Trial 2 Peak (0–10s):
Faster Fatigue Rate?
Tactile Plotting: Using a colored pencil (blue or purple), plot the second data set directly onto your Page 1 coordinate grid. Connect the points with a dashed line (-- -- --) and write a small Legend / Key in the top corner of your graph!
5
Scientific Synthesis & Graphing Reflection
Why does a line graph demonstrate the physiological concept of muscle fatigue much better than a disconnected bar graph? Include how your independent and dependent variables interact.
Standards Alignment: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.4 • NGSS MS-LS1-7 • Cellular Respiration & Muscular Energy Systems
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