Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Respiratory System Simulation #1 HUFFING AND PUFFING
As our bodies age, our respiratory system may undergo changes that make our daily activities more difficult to do. For example, our lungs become smaller and less elastic, muscles involved in breathing weaken and stiffen, and gas exchange efficiency is reduced (1). As a result, breathing takes more effort and is less efficient. A common respiratory disease is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is especially common among older adults. The purpose of this simulation is to mimic the increased effort required to exhale for individuals with COPD. The simulator will try to move a piece of paper with their breath while wearing face masks.
Materials
- 2 face masks
- Piece of scrap paper
Procedure
- Hold the scrap paper in your hand, at an arm's length away.
- Try moving the paper with your breath, noticing how much force is needed.
- Put on one face mask.
- Repeat step 1-2.
- Put on your second face mask.
- Repeat step 1-2.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 3 minutes.
Reflection Questions
- What specific feelings did you have after experiencing age-related changes in respiration? What affected you the most?
- What activities in your own life would become difficult if you had COPD? How would this affect your physical and mental health?
- Reflect on your views on older adults. Have any of these beliefs changed?
Cardiovascular System #1 HEART AT WORK
As our bodies age, our heart loses strength and ability to deliver oxygenated blood to the rest of the body (1). This requires the heart to work harder, especially with more demanding physical tasks. Heart attacks are more common, complex, and deadly among older adults, which occur when there is reduced or no blood flow to the heart (1). Combine these factors with physical exercise and the heart will experience an overload of work.
In this simulation, the simulator will try to do certain exercises with extra equipment around the rib cage to mimic the reduced blood flow (or efficiency of oxygenated blood) from the heart. These will reproduce the symptoms of a heart attack, which include chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness (5).
Materials
- A safe open area to do exercise
- A chest restraint
- Use what you have available! For example, you can use an abdominal band, scarf, belt, or another piece of clothing around your chest
- An arm band
- Again, use what you have! For example, a scarf, headband, exercise bands, etc.
- Weights
- This can be 2 dumbells, a backpack with some books in it, etc.
Procedure
Disclaimer: please be careful when doing these activities to avoid physical injury
- Do jumping jacks for 15 seconds, noticing how easy or difficult it is for you;
- Take your chest restraint and tie it around the bottom portion of your sternum
a. This is to simulate chest tightness.
b. Make sure it is not too tight and that you can still breathe! - Take your arm band and tie it around your arm snugly.
a. This is to simulate arm pain. - Hold or put on your desired weights.
a. This is to simulate increased effort and fatigue with activity. - Spin around in a circle 4-5 times.
a. This is to simulate dizziness. - Purse your lips as if you were drinking something and keep breathing through your pursed lips.
a. This is to simulate shortness of breath. - Do jumping jacks for 15 seconds.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 3 minutes.
Reflection Questions
- What specific feelings did you have after experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack?
- Older adults may not display all or any of the typical symptoms of a heart attack, how do you think this would affect their physical and mental health?
- Reflect on your views on older adults. Have any of these beliefs changed?
