Effects of Gum Chewing on Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, and Short-Term Recall
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Date
2018Author
Peterson, Nicholas
Fleddermann, Rachel
McMillon, Nathan
Litton, Allie
Seuferer, Kayla
Beyer, McKenzie
Publisher
Journal of Advanced Student Sciences (JASS)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Finding novel solutions to increase memory and retention abilities can provide strategies
for improved performance in testing situations. Chewing gum has been proposed as a means to
increase memory retention abilities and attention to a task. This study tested the effects of
chewing sugar-free mint gum on short term recall ability, as well as the physiological basis of
effects seen (measured by recording heart rate and respiration rate of subjects). Respiration rate
and heart rate were recorded using the Biopac lab system and a heart rate monitor, respectively.
While these two parameters were recorded, participants underwent several rounds of a short term
recall computer testing in which they were instructed to recall words out loud they had
previously been shown for ten seconds. The control group (n=15) performed the test with no
intervention. The experimental group (n=15) performed the test while chewing sugar-free mint
gum. Participants were age and gender matched between groups. There was no significant
difference between groups for either word recall (p= 0.197525) or respiration rate (p= 0.268064).
There was a significant increase in heart rate for those chewing gum when compared to those not
chewing gum during the short term recall test (p= 0.009155). The large increase in heart rate in
the gum chewing condition could be explained by the fact that chewing constitutes heightened
physical activity. However, this does not explain the non-significant decreases in short term
recall and breathing rate of participants chewing gum. This suggests that strategies other than
gum chewing are needed to improve short term recall in testing situations. Further
experimentation is needed to determine the full effects of chewing gum on these physiological
processes.
Subject
Short Term Recall
Mastication
Respiration
Heart Rate
Mint Gum
Physiology
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/81960Description
An article that appeared in JASS, issue 2018