Wellness Day Reflection

Link to presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ndzrEX3UAvps-eBjMwcg0tAQO5QCVYckR9GxP0szpto/edit?usp=sharing

In this project my partner was Divya, and we chose the topic of core strengthening. We chose this topic because we both knew that the core played an essential role in the body, but did not know to what extent it did. As an athlete, I myself, also wanted to understand the importances of the core. It is interesting to understand why we do so much core at practices, when to the common eye it seems that the core is not used that much in soccer. However, I learned that this is a common misconception and is not the case. The core makes up much of the body. Just like it sounds, it is the center of the body. Something interesting that I learned was that the core included more muscles than just the abdominal muscles. The core includes the glutes, back, and upper legs as well as the abdominal muscles. I was surprised that the core included the upper legs because normally people would not think that the core would be a part of the legs. Because of this, the core has lots of control over leg control and balance. Also, I was surprised that the core correlated towards better posture since it seems like sitting or standing up straight does not require much muscle strength. I also learned that there are different ways to exercise the core, such as isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions. Isometric contractions are used when a person holds a certain position for a set amount of time. One example of an exercise that uses this type of contraction are planks because in a plank you hold the push-up like position. Concentric contractions are the initial contraction of the muscles, so that the muscles shorten. An example of this type of contraction is when you go up in a sit-up, since the muscles contract by shortening. Eccentric contractions are when the muscle comes out of the concentric stage, and elongates back again. An example of this is when you go back down to your back in a sit-up. The core is essential to health and wellness because it is the center to the body and holds it all together. Without the core, people would be unbalanced and have no control over their body. The core allows people to be active by just reducing chances of injury in general. Having a solid core allows people to fulfill the exercise pillar of health. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give myself a 9.5 on this project. I believe that we did an excellent job on this, but it was not perfect of course. I believe that the presentation itself was complete. We were able to explain the core and how it was important very well. However, the activity itself was a little less than perfect. It seemed a little disorganized and chaotic. Some of the instruction confused some people, so that was a drawback. Also when we demonstrated the exercises, we forgot to grab a mat for ourselves, so we were forced to do it on the tile. Besides those few things, I think that we were successful in teaching the class about the core.

Unit 3 Reflection

The cardiovascular system works together in unison to deliver oxygenated blood throughout the body. It moves oxygenated and deoxygenated blood throughout the body. Without it people would not be able to survive. Cardiovascular health is basically the overall health of your cardiovascular system. Heart disease and strokes are often caused by blood clots in the different vessels getting clogged, which increases the blood pressure in that area, and prevents blood flow.

Heart walk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHQEsz4CwBg

To promote my cardiovascular health I can go running and do more physical activities in general. I want to know more about how people today are solving these health problems. I feel like as a person I have grown with this new knowledge about the severities of heart disease and the symptoms of them. I am definitely more aware about what I am doing and how it may affect my overall health. I found it difficult to learn about the specific types of white blood cells. One of my goals for the rest of this semester is to be able to maintain a steady grade in this class.

Heart Dissection Lab

 Dissection Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1KRKKvoVIM&app=desktop

1. The purpose of the pericardium is to hold the heart in place, provide protection, and reduce friction of heart. 

2. The main difference between the arteries and veins is that the arteries appear to be larger, as they are thicker and need to carry blood towards the body.  The veins are there to return blood to the heart.
3. I think that the function of the auricle is that it reenforces the strength of the vessels, so that more blood can be pumped inside of the heart. It allows the heart to expand more.
4. The main visible difference on the outside of the heart between the atria and ventricles was that the ventricles were skinnier, and because of that smaller.
5. a) The coronary sinus was located on the posterior of the heart, right behind the layer of fat.
b) The inferior vena cava was not exactly visible because it was cut off and vacuum sealed. However, it should have been on the right portion of the inferior part of the heart.
c) The tricuspid valve was located in the right side of the heart, and connects the right atrium to the right ventricle. It has three flaps that are pushed open and closed to push blood through to the next chamber. It is connected to the chordate tendinae, which prevent the valve from inverting. These cord like tendons are anchored down onto the papillary muscles.
6. Picture of drawing of tricuspid valve:

7. The anchoring of the valves is important because it prevents them from inverting and closes them tight. The chordate tendinae are strong enough to slam shut the valves.
8. The bicuspid valve is similar to the tricuspid valve in form and function, except for the fact that it has two flaps, where as the tricuspid valve contains three.
9. The semi-lunar valves are important because it prevents the back flow of the blood back to the heart.
10. a) The swelling would occur in the feet or ankles because the blood that flows to the right side of the heart is coming from the body. If the right valve is messed up, the back flow of blood would go back towards the ankle, causing it to swell.
b) If there were on the left side of the heart, there could be a back flow of blood in the lungs, which would cause swelling in the lungs, and ultimately make it much more difficult to breath and send oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
11. When we cut into the aorta, we examined the two different coronary arteries. We also located the left semilunar valve, which led down through the aorta to the inside of the heart. We were able to stick the probe through and physically see where it went. The chordate tendinae are really strong, and are can open and close the valves. The papillary muscles seem to be strong and sturdy. The chordate tendinae are attached to the papillary muscles.
12. The left side of the heart primarily deals with oxygenated blood. It receives the reoxygenated blood from the lungs and then transports to the body to be used. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body. It sends the deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where it returns to form the lungs to the left side of the heart.
13.

Cross Section of Interior of Heart

Anterior side of Heart

Posterior Side of Heart