Ronald E. McNair Program


Ka' Reshia Ousley
 School: Tougaloo College
Major: Computer Science 
Mentor: Dr. Sunil Mathur 
Expected Graduation Date:  May 2006
Organizations & Honors:  
  • Star Student
  • Presidential Scholar 
  • S I leader 
  • Volunteer math tutor  
  • Volunteer at Mercy Learning and Recreation Center in Rolling Fork, MS 
  • Member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
  • Member of Women & Mathematics Education(WME)
  • Member of the Computer Science Club
  • Recipient Collegiate All American Scholars award
Email:  shandra2g2@yahoo.com
 

 

ABSTRACT

A Statistical Comparison of Methods for Determining the Effect of Exercise on the Amount of Lactic Acid in the Blood


Statistics plays a large role in research, data analysis, and data representation. As information is collected and discovered through research and experimentation it is essential that this material be successfully analyzed and construed. It is also imperative the information is used properly and further ensures that research and experimentation results are factual and precise. The statistical software available can further ensure accuracy and precision.

 In this study statistical methods for determining the effects of exercise on the amount of lactic acid in the blood were compared and analyzed. This study was published in 1991 in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Eight men and seven women who were attending a week-long training camp participated in the experiment. The blood lactate level of each subject was measured before and after playing three games of racquetball. The results of this experiment were analyzed using a paired t-test for both pairs of variables and a correlation to determine the relationship of each variable to each of the other variables. The data was displayed graphically using histograms, boxplots, and bar graphs. The results of each t-test and correlation were analyzed to determine the accuracy of the results of the study. Each graph and chart was examined and analyzed to determine whether the pictorial displays of the data supported the acceptance or rejection of the null hypothesis. Through this study the mean change in the blood lactate levels for each male subject was estimated with a 90 percent confidence interval as well as the mean change in the blood lactate levels for each female subject.  Based on the intervals the researcher determined whether the mean change in the blood lactate levels was the same for men and women. Suggestions for the improvement of the design of the experiment were made and factors within the study that may have affected the outcome of the experiment were determined.