the effect of running on heart rate vs. running with weights

Question
Hi,
I have an assignment on the topic of human physiology.
The experiment which will be conducted includes running for a set time, distance and speed; then measuring heart rate and blood pressure. Followed by running the same distance, time and speed again, but holding 3kg weights in each hand.
I was wondering what effect and difference we would see in our results.
What do you think would happen? What would be effected and why?

Thanks,
Amy.

Answer
I wouldn't run the tests with 3kg weights in each hand, that is way too much weight, which would affect running strides & muscle fatigue.  Honestly, I would never recommend 3kg (approx 6 pounds) weights to carry while running, there is no 'point' in doing so.

Also, its hard to guess what you're measuring here, because someone could run a same distance at different speeds, and adding weight is certainly going to affect the speed that they will maintain.  There is no way that any well-trained athlete could run the same speeds for the same distance with 12 extra pounds on them, and displaced away from their body in the form of weights.  Physiologically, this just can't happen.

Those are my thoughts.  I would recommend changing your test to something shorter, say 400m or less for your running distance, and using 1-2 pound weights per hand.  This would be more 'doable' in my opinion.  The speeds won't be the same perhaps, but it would be more closer to a run without weights.

Rick Karboviak