Mathematics and Physical Education

1. WORKSHOP #3 – SPORTS SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Sports science studies how the healthy human body works during exercise, and how sport and
physical activity promote health, from the cell to the whole body.
Sport Science can trace its origins to ancient Greece. The noted ancient Greek physician Galenos (130-
200 AD) wrote 87 detailed essays about improving health (proper nutrition, aerobic fitness and
muscles strengthening). Assyrian Hunayn ibn Ishaq translated Galen's work, along with that of
Hippocrates -the father of medicine- into Arabic, which led to the spread of Greek physiology
throughout the Middle East and Europe. For more than a thousand years, from 776 BC to 393 AD, the
ancient Greek physicians planned the training regimens and diets of the Olympic competitors.
Sports science begins with the study of the structure and the function of the human body. This
knowledge, with a proper diet and a safe exercise lead to a life full of health.
THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BODY
EXERCISE 1: Body Mass Index (BMI) The students familiarize with the value of the Body Mass Index
(BMI), which is the easiest way to measure obesity and is calculated by the formula:
BMI = weight (kg) / height x height (meters)
(It is better to give the students the type: height x height than height2 because they do not know the
meaning of the square)
Then each student measures his height and weight and tries to calculate his own BMI.
At the same time the teacher explains to the children that:
If the index is >30, they are considered overweight.
If the index is from 26 to 30, they are considered slightly overweight.
If the index is from 20 to 25 then they belong to the normal range of weight.
If the weight index is <20 then their weight is less than normal.
Example: Height 1,40 m and weight 43 kg.
BMI = 43 / 1,4 x 1,4 = 21.93.
So the child is within normal weight limits.

2. EXERCISE 2: Heart rate The students measure their pulse, at rest, for 10 seconds. Then by using simple
mathematics, they can find their pulse rate, in beats/minute.
Afterwards, they run 400m and measure their pulse again, for 15 seconds. As soon as they have their
new pulse rate, they compare it, with the result before.
They conclude that during exercise, our heart beats more quickly to cope with the increased work.