The Field Trip that took Our Breath Away

6 March 2015Mollie MG, Mack ’15 & Georgia P, Mack ’16

Last Thursday our Biology 12 class, focused on kinesiology, went down to the Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence (PISE) in order to partake in and learn about V02 max testing. Upon arrival, we were given a tour of the building and all of the different functions it has, including a recovery room used by Canadian national teams. After the tour, we started in on the prerequisites for the V02 Max testing including notes on what it measures and the relevancy of the test. Earlier in the week, four brave students, Georgia P, Mack ‘16, Elliot R, Rogers ‘15, Sydney P, Alex ‘15 and Jaco VR, Rogers ‘15 had volunteered to take the test. Between the four there were varied results but all worked extremely hard and created great data. During the test, a team of students was designated to each athlete. One was in charge of data collection, measuring heart rate, level of pain and resistance of the bike while another was in charge of set up to ensure proper function of the equipment. During the test, the athletes were not able to speak with the gear in their mouths so another student was there to mark the level of pain as the test continued, becoming increasingly difficult. This person was also there to help support the athlete after the test while they were recuperating. Finally, there was a person working alongside the technician to make sure that the machine used to record data was working properly. Georgia had this insight: “It was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. I nervous because I thought I was going to throw up and because there was a huge contraption going on my head. My nose was then plugged and the other three people taking part in the test were varsity athletes while I barely make it to the gym once a week.” That was what she felt before the test, but after going through the experience and not passing out or throwing up, she had a more optimistic view. “It was definitely an experience I would do again. I really thought it was cool to figure out my max heart rate as well as other stats that without this experience I could have gone my whole life not knowing. Even though I was nervous and did not really want to do it, I really enjoyed the experience. The coolest part, to be completely honest, was when I got off the bike and because of the lactic acid buildup in my legs they felt heavy and jumping up in the air was not an easily accomplished task. All in all, it was such a fun experience and it was a privilege to be able to take a trip to PISE.” The V02 Max Test put into action what we have learned in Biology 12 about the maximum rate of oxygen consumption and max heart rate and how they can differ person to person. This unique way of learning is much appreciated by our entire class as it made what we learned applicable to the real world. Mollie MG, Mack ’15 & Georgia P, Mack ’16

Where Students Choose To Be