Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-31-2003

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Biomedical Engineering Committee

First Advisor

Stanley S. Reisman

Second Advisor

Tara L. Alvarez

Third Advisor

David S. Kristol

Abstract

Traditional exercise regimens are based on maintaining a prolonged increase in heart rate, followed by a single recovery period. The Cyclic Exercise Protocol is a novel protocol that is designed to create a series of parabolic waves of exercise and recovery. This study involves the implementation of this exercise protocol on two study groups namely AIDS and Insomnia. This exercise protocol involves short bursts of exercise lasting for 60 seconds or less followed by a period of complete aerobic recovery. The underlying principle of this exercise protocol is that rest, recovery and the body's natural rhythm are important to fitness and conditioning. The study involves the analysis of heart rate during cycles, focused breathing - breathing at a specific rate of 12 breaths per minute and circadian data - 24 hour biological rhythm of our body, for the AIDS population and only the heart rate data during cycles in case of Insomnia using Mathematica and Lab View. The subject populations as well as the physiological signals utilized in this study were obtained from the Philadelphia FIGHT Institute for AIDS and Harvard Medical School for Insomnia.

The parameters obtained during analysis of data from both study groups were statistically analyzed. There were significant results for the slope base parameter in case of the AIDS study and deep breath and downslope parameters in case of the Insomnia study. Therefore the cycles protocol with minimum exertion confers maximum benefits to our body.

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