Marathon Runner Challenge LT: I can analyze data in order to explain what is causing marathon runners to collapse. 4.1.2d Challenge: A marathon is a 26.2-mile race. People often train for months leading up to the race in order to successfully complete this type of long-distance running challenge. Sometimes, runners aren t able to finish the race or runners collapse and die shortly after the race. Your challenge is to use your findings from research articles, data sets, and other class activities in order to determine and explain what is causing marathon runners to collapse and sometimes die. Goal: To determine what is causing marathon runners to collapse. Product: Your presentation of your findings will be in the form of a newspaper article, which will explain the physiological issues involved. Predicting Visit the following links: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/sites/default/files/tcsnycm14coursemap.pdf https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/tcs-runfographics Initial Hypothesis: Explain why the marathon runners are collapsing and possibly dying. First, people are training for and then attempting to run a 26.2-mile race. Next, during the race something happens to their bodies that causes them to collapse and possibly die. In this box, explain what you think that is. 1
Data from NYC ING Marathon Runners Runners were interviewed after the race as part of a study to assess physiological needs of marathon runners. Race Time: 8:00am Weather for Race Day: 17 o C Runner s Race Number Final Run Time Weight Age Blood Glucose (mg/dl) Plasma Sodium (meq/l) Body Temperature ( o C) Other Symptoms 0014 mile 15-1:45:17 (dropped out) 154 23 135 138 39 dry skin (not sweaty), nausea, fainted 0358 5:45:13 170 37 60 126 37 Disoriented, unstable gait, nausea 1059 3:15:30 141 68 132 146 37 a little tired, sweaty 2104 2:29:04 120 35 137 140 37 fatigue, chills 1489 5:30:40 130 32 139 110 37 Severe abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting 8045 4:08:26 148 41 45 135 37 Disoriented, sweating a lot KEY Normal Ranges 135-140 135-145 meq/l <125 = high mortality 37= normal body temp 1. Which of the runners is the one that collapsed? What possibly caused the marathon runner to collapse? 2
Interpret the following 2 graphs and complete prompts 1-4. 3
1. What do you notice? What is surprising? 2. What questions do you have? 3. Why do you think humans can tolerate extreme conditions for only short periods of time? 4. How are humans able to tolerate such a wide range of conditions? 4
Thermoregulation What did you learn about how the body regulates body temperature? -Which human body systems are involved in thermoregulation? -Why is maintaining a constant internal temperature necessary? -What happens if the body is too hot or cold? How will this help you revise your prediction? -Are there any environmental conditions during the race that make you think that thermoregulation was a major challenge for runners on the race day? -What symptoms hint that runners were experiencing conditions related to thermoregulation? -Do you believe that thermoregulation was the reason why any of the marathon runners experienced severe medical conditions after the race? Glucose Regulation What did you learn about how the body regulates glucose levels? -What substances and body parts are involved in the regulation of glucose? -Why is the homeostasis of glucose important to the entire body and its cells? -Do blood glucose levels remain constant throughout the day for diabetics and nondiabetics? How will this help you revise your prediction? -Are there any data that suggest glucose balance was disrupted for any of the runners on the race day? -What symptoms hint that runners were experiencing conditions related to glucose regulation? -Do you believe that glucose regulation was the reason why any of the marathon runners experienced severe medical conditions after the race? Regulation of Water What did you learn about how cells maintain proper water balance? -What is the importance of water? How does it help maintain life processes? -How do humans regulate fluid / water levels in the body? -How does water move into and out of cells? How will this help you revise your prediction? -Are there any data that make you think that this body system caused issues for runners on the race day? -What symptoms hint that runners were experiencing conditions related to this body system? -Do you believe that the excretory system or hydration was the reason why any of the marathon runners experienced severe medical conditions after the race? 5
Circulation and Respiratory Systems What did you learn about how the circulatory and respiratory systems work together to maintain homeostasis? -How do these 2 systems support the body on the cellular level? -What body factors change during the race and after exercise? -How do necessary substances, such as oxygen and glucose, move throughout the body and go to where they are needed? -How do the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to maintain homeostasis, particularly during strenuous exercise? How will this help you revise your prediction? -Are there any data that make you think that either of these body systems caused issues for runners on the race day? -What symptoms hint that runners were experiencing conditions related to these body systems? -Do you believe that circulation or respiration was the reason why any of the marathon runners experienced severe medical conditions after the race? Pass The Salt?- http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-for-runners/pass-the-salt HYDRATION - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW- http://www.hammernutrition.com/knowledge/hydration-whatyou-need-to-know.299.html 8 Ways to Keep Muscle Cramps Away- http://www.active.com/running/articles/8-ways-to-keep-muscle-crampsaway Running a Marathon- http://www.endurancedoc.com/training/training_running_a_marathon.htm Scientific American - Strange but true: Drinking too much water can kill 6
Final Task What happened to runner #XXXX? In your answer, be sure to discuss ideas from the different topics in this unit. The following are topics that you should include in your answer: Thermoregulation Glucose Regulation Water Regulation Respiratory and Circulatory System Interactions You may refer to the organizers on the previous pages and organize your writing piece in the following manner: Introduction What is a marathon? How does it affect the human body? What is homeostasis? The Living Environment Examiner Sports Section What happened to Runner #XXXX? Thermoregulation What is it? What is normal? What happens during a marathon? Why is it important to maintain it? What happened to the 6 runners we are tracking? Glucose Regulation What is it? What is normal? What happens during a marathon? Why is it important to maintain it? What happened to the 6 runners we are tracking? Water Balance What is it? What is normal? What happens during a marathon? Why is it important to maintain it? What happened to the 6 runners we are tracking? Respiratory and Circulatory Systems Balance & Interaction What is it? What is normal? What happens during a marathon? Why is it important to maintain it? What happened to the 6 runners we are tracking? Conclusion What happened to our 6 runners? Which runner had the best time? Which runner experienced a severe condition (or died!)? Why is maintenance of homeostasis vital to everyone, especially marathon runners? 7
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