Sports Science Demonstrations
See also: Body Systems
Sports science is where science meets performance. These demonstrations reveal the hidden physics in a jump, the biology behind fatigue, and the psychology of competition. They connect classroom learning to the thrill of sport and the challenge of pushing human limits.
| Demonstration | Materials | Difficulty | Safety | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Dioxide in Breath | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | ★★☆ | This experiment compares the carbon dioxide content of inhaled and exhaled air by passing a person’s breath through tubes into test solutions. Limewater is used to detect carbon dioxide, showing the difference between inhaled and exhaled air. |
| Center of Gravity Balance Test | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Balance on the edge of a curb and test how arm position and the use of short versus long poles affect stability and wobble speed. By changing where mass is distributed, you shift your center of gravity and can measure how that influences balance time. |
| Dropping Ruler Reaction Time | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Students test their reaction speed by trying to catch a falling ruler as quickly as possible. The activity demonstrates how the nervous system processes information from the eyes to the brain and then to the muscles to produce a response. |
| Handgrip Strength Test | ★★★ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | A handgrip dynamometer is squeezed as hard as possible to measure the maximum isometric force of the hand and forearm. Results from several trials (often both hands) provide a simple indicator of upper-limb strength and general strength status. |
| Harvard Step Test | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | The Harvard Step Test is a simple fitness assessment that measures cardiovascular endurance and predicts VO2 max. Participants step at a steady pace onto a raised platform for up to five minutes, and recovery heart rates are used to calculate a fitness index. |
| Heart Rate Recovery | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Heart rate recovery (HRR) is the decrease in heart rate after stopping exercise, typically measured one minute post-exercise. It reflects how quickly the heart and autonomic nervous system return to baseline and is used to assess cardiovascular health and risk of future heart disease. |
| Learning Curves in Sports Skills | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Students practice a simple sport-related skill in repeated blocks and quantify performance over time to reveal a learning curve (better accuracy, faster times, reduced variability). |
| Learning New Skills Mirror Maze | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | In this activity, participants trace a star shape while only viewing their hand’s reflection in a mirror. The task is repeated across multiple trials and days, demonstrating motor learning, memory, and adaptation as performance improves over time. |
| Projectile Motion Range | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | Students determine the muzzle velocity of a spring launcher from a horizontal shot, then use kinematics to predict and test the range of a projectile launched at selected angles over level and uneven terrain. The activity connects measured distances and heights to time of flight and horizontal range using constant-acceleration equations. |
| Reaction Time Under Fatigue | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | ★☆☆ | Students measure their reaction time before and after an induced fatigue condition and compare changes in average reaction time and variability. The class explores how mental or physical fatigue influences response speed and consistency. |
| Three Energy Systems in the Body | ★★☆ | ★☆☆ | ★★☆ | This lesson explores how the body produces energy through three different systems - the ATP-PC system, the glycolytic system, and the oxidative system. Students connect these systems to physical activities such as sprinting, weightlifting, and endurance exercise. |
Materials
★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty
★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires a more experienced teacher
Safety
★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required
★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
★★★ Only to be attempted with adequate safety procedures and trained staff