The new Human Performance Lab was completed in the summer of 2007.  Since 2005, every major piece of lab equipment has been replaced or upgraded.  The approximately 1500 square foot space is used primarily for the instruction of exercise physiology classes and faculty/student collaborative research.  The lab, and its equipment, is available for use by appropriately trained students for their senior capstone research.  One of the goals of the lab is to provide students with practical experience using equipment and technology currently used in the exercise and science fields.   

Cardiovascular Equipment
The CardioCard ECG System can be used for resting or stress ECG.  This portable, laptop-based ECG can provide full 12-lead ECG during exercise testing.  This system can be integrated with our metabolic system to more completely assess cardiovascular function during exercise.

The ParvoMedics TrueOne Metabolic system can be used to evaluate the metabolic function of individuals at rest and during exercise.  This system can control both the Trackmaster treadmill and Lode Corival cycle ergometer for fully automatic maximal exercise testing.

The Netech Minisym 1000 ECG simulator simulates ECG patterns of heart rates ranging from 30 to 350 beats per minutes as well as simulating a variety of ECG arrythmias.   This is particularly helpful in teaching the students to recognize ECG patterns commonly seen in individuals with heart disease.

The Nasco Blood Pressure Simulator arm is used to train students to accurately measure blood pressure.  The simulator can be attached to external speakers to provide a simulation of the sounds heard during blood pressure measurement.

The CardioChek PA Cholesterol testing system is used to measure total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides using a small sample of blood. 

Additionally, the lab has numerous heart rate monitors for use in classes and student research. 

Metabolic Equipment
The YSI 2300 Stat Plus Glucose/Lactate analyzer is used for the measurement of blood glucose or blood lactate at rest and during exercise conditions.

The OneTouch glucose analyzer is a commercially available glucose monitor commonly used by diabetic patients.  This unit is commonly used by students for field testing and classroom assessment of glucose.

Neuromuscular Equipment
The new Biodex System 4 can assess neuromuscle function under a variety of controlled conditions (isometric, isotonic, isokinetic, and passive muscle actions).  The computerized system also has a capacity for biofeedback during exercise. 

The Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester is a handheld unit that measures peak force and time to peak force for muscular activity.

Handgrip dynamometers are common tools for assessing handgrip strength in individuals of all ages.  The lab has two such dynamometers, which are regularly used in classes and student research.  The lab also has a leg/back dynamometer.

The lab also incorporates a bench for bench press testing and over 500 lbs of free weights.

Pulmonary Equipment
The lab has a new Schiller Spirovit SP-1 spirometer capable of measuring lung function.  A variety of lung volumes and capacities can be assessed with this unit.  The portable unit is also capable of displaying real-time flow/volume loops.

The portable, handheld Spiropet spirometer is capable of evaluating vital lung capacity.

The SportStat Pulse Oximeter is used to assess the oxygen saturation of the blood as the blood moves through the fingertip.  This can be used to assess the amount of desaturation that occurs during maximal exercise.

The measurement of lung residual volume is performed using the ParvoMedics Residual Volume system integrated with the metabolic system.  Residual volume measurement is necessary for accurate determination of body composition using underwater weighing.

Body Composition Assessment
The Exertech body composition tank and computerized underwater weighing system are used to measure percent body fat.  This system measures an individual’s body weight while fully submerged in water.  The underwater weight is used to calculate a percent body fat.

The BioAnalogics Health Management System uses the ELG III, and the principles of bioelectrical impedance, to measure percent body fat.  This system uses electrodes placed at the wrist and ankle to measure the body's resistance to the safe, low level of electrical current being passed through the body. 

The lab has two, commercially available body composition analyzers (Omron hand held analyzer and Tanita Body Fat Monitor) utilizing the principles of bioelectrical impedance. 

Body composition can also be assess using the four Lange skinfold calipers owned by the lab.

Exercise Equipment
The lab has the following exercise equipment: Trackmaster treadmill, Lode Corival cycle ergometer, 3 Monark ergometers, Monark arm ergometer, Nu-Step Recumbent Cross-Trainer, Cybex Total Body Arc Trainer, Concept II Rowing Ergometer, Lifefitness Elliptical Cross-trainer, Lifefitness Upright and Recumbent Ergometers, Lifefitness Stepper, and a Lifefitness Treadmill.

The Trackmaster treadmill and Lode ergometer can both be controlled manually or via the computers of the metabolic and ECG systems.  Using a computer connection, one of the Monark ergometers (Monark 894E) can provide real-time data of work and power during aerobic (Astrand) and anaerobic (Wingate) testing.