Physiology Facilities
Sport and exercise physiology examines fitness components from those that are vital for every day health to those important for elite performance. The new Exercise Physiology Laboratory was opened in 2006 in a newly constructed Clinical Education Building. The laboratory is a large flexible space that can be controlled for temperature and humidity.
This facility allows the assessment of fitness components from those that are vital for every day health to those important for elite performance. The facilities within the laboratory allow for a breadth of assessment dependant on individual needs.
Central to the laboratory is a HP Cosmos Saturn treadmill, which is can be used for walking and running assessment but also can have bicycles and wheelchairs used upon it. This treadmill has the capacity to go 50km/h and at an incline of 25%.
Cardiovascular fitness can be assessed using a Cosmed K2 expired gas analysis and is most commonly used during a VO2max test. Further testing including blood lactate can be undertaken. Multiple ergometers such as bike, rowing machines, arm cranks and wheel chair rollers allows sport-specific evaluation of cardiovascular fitness. Often in sport it is important to be able to develop power and this can be assessed using the famous Wingate cycle test, or with the Newtest power test system.
Assessment of health-related fitness is another main area of assessment. This might include :-
Blood pressure
Using manual and automated machines the assessment and monitoring of blood pressure is a quick and simple method of assessing cardiovascular health
Lung function
The total lung volume and ability to quickly expel air is important to health and performance. Simple tests using spirometers can be used to assess lung function
Anthropometry
The assessment of height, weight and body fat are relatively simple to do but useful in assessing an individual health status. Body fat can be assessed using callipers or by bioelectrical impedance analysis
Blood Profile
Assessment of blood parameters such as cholesterol for health status to haematocrit and haemoglobin levels for elite athletes.
Heart Rate
Assessment of resting and exercising heart rate can be carried out. Using Polar Heart rate monitors or by Electrocardiogram. Furthermore, we can perform an exercise stress test, using a Hellige 12 lead treadmill interfaced Electrocardiogram
Flexibility
Flexibility is important for all individuals. This can be assessed using simple tests such as sit-and-reach or goniometery.
Strength
Strength can be assessed by using one-rep max tests or more advanced methods such as isokinetic dynamometry
Aerobic fitness
Whether an elite performer or just interested in you health status, an assessment of your aerobic capacity (or endurance potential) is recommended. Methods can be simple such stepping, cycling, walking or running tests. Using heart rate or other measure your aerobic capacity (VO2max) can be assessed. For elite athletes direct measurement of VO2max using a Sensormedics Vmax 29 Expired Gas Analyser. This would be carried out on a treadmill, laboratory bike or rowing ergometer.
Blood Lactate
Blood lactate is an excellent indicator of training status. When assessed along side heart rate this allows for the establishment and prescription of training intensities, designed to bring about performance improvements.
Power Test
Integral to short duration sports and during field-type sports the assessment of power can be completed using the famous Wingate test or by measuring Jump power with the NewTest Powertest system.
