Human Performance Laboratory
The Human Performance Laboratory is used for research in exercise physiology and to support adolescent metabolic exercise testing at the cardiac and pulmonary diagnostic center in the Department of Pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. This lab has been created to obtain human subject data in conjunction with the development and validation of computational body models for simulating and predicting metabolic responses to exercise under various conditions.
The activity of the laboratory is focused on the study of metabolic and cardiopulmonary responses to exercise training and testing of both sedentary and athletic populations of apparently healthy children, adolescents, young adults, and older adults in different experimental conditions (normoxia, hypoxia).
The Human Lab (600 sqf.) is under the Department of Pediatric Cardiology in Rainbow Babies and Children's hospital and is located on the 6th floor in the cardiac and pulmonary diagnostic center. The laboratory is equipped with devices to measure muscular strength and endurance, dynamic responses of pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2), non-invasive cardiac output (blood flow), transcutaneous partial pressure of O2 and CO2 (pO2, pCO2), near infrared spectroscopy (muscle oxygenation) during cycling (Lode Excalibur Cycle Ergometer); arterial cuff occlusion, blood lactate, pulse oximetry, and body composition. This lab has all the equipment necessary to perform all of these measurements in hypoxic exercise tests as well. The research lab is fully equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen access if needed.
The Human Laboratory is an environment where students can learn about human physiology by participating in different projects with different levels of complexity.
The human lab contains the equipment to assess physical performance (see below).
- Cycle Ergometers;
- Metabolic Carts with12-lead ECG;
- Near Infrared Spectrometer;
- Bioimpedance Cardiography Device;
- Biodex System 3 Pro
- Bod Pod and Lange Skinfold Calipers
Cycle Ergometers
Lode Excalibur Sport, Cateye EC-1600, and the Sensormedics Ergometrics 800 cycle ergometers that accommodate individuals ages 6 and older. These bikes are used for submaximal, maximal, supramaximal, and anaerobic fitness tests.
Metabolic Cart
Measurements of cardiovascular, ventilatory, and gas-exchange responses are measured using the Sensormedics Vmax Encore (Viasys) and the Vacumed Vista MX (Vacumetrics). Ventilatory gas exchange analysis during exercise testing is a useful tool in the assessment of patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, and also athletes who wish to have a measurement of their cardiorespiratory fitness level. Analyses of expired gases using either breath by breath or mixing chamber modes are available. These devices can also be used to measure resting energy expenditure for dietary recommendation purposes. Measures of gas exchange primarily include oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE), and ventilatory/anaerobic threshold (VAT). Gas exchange data can provide important information to evaluate functional capacity and distinguish cardiovascular from pulmonary limitations during exercise. The Vmax Encore also contains integrated ECG software (Cardiosoft).
Radiometer TCM4
Measurements of the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in systemic circulation can be obtained using this device. Transcutaneous measurements are based on the principle that a heating element in the electrode elevates the temperature in the underlying tissue which allows for better gas diffusion to the sensor.
Physio-Flow PF-05
Measurement of cardiac output during exercise can be obtained using this device. Heart rate and stroke volume can be non-invasively measured using the Physio-Flow PF-05 by Manatec Biomedical (Paris, France). This device measures stroke volume by relying on the electrical conductivity of blood and measurements of transthoracic impedance (dz), which are inversely proportional to conductance (bioimpedance cardiography).
Near Infrared Spectrometer
Measurements of local muscle oxygenation are available by two continuous wave near infrared spectrometers; the InspectraTM model 325 tissue spectrometer (Hutchinson Technology, Hutchinson, MN) and also a 16-channel spectrometer by NIM (Inc., Philadelphia, PA), respectively.
Other Equipment
- Biodex System 3 Pro measures muscular strength and endurance. This devise features options for dynamic and static muscle loading environments that incorporate concentric, eccentric, isokinetic, isometric, and isotonic loading for both the upper and lower extremity. This provides data such as voluntary maximum contractions that can replicate functional activity.
- Rapid Blood Pressure Cuff Occlusion. Hokanson E20 Rapid cuff inflator (Bellevue, WA).
- Maximal Jumping Power. Measurements of maximal jumping power by force platform (Kistler Quattro Jump FP).
- Body Composition Analysis: Measurements of body composition by Lange skinfold calipers and Air Displacement Plethysmography - BOD POD system (Life Measurements Inc.). The BOD POD provides accurate and prompt body composition information, with a complete analysis in approximately 5 minutes.
- Pulse Oximetry. Measurements of blood oxygen saturation can be obtained during rest, exercise, and recovery by using the Masimo Radical 7 pulse oximeter.
- Blood Pressure Devices. An automated blood pressure monitor (Tango, Sun Tech Instruments) and an upright manual mercury sphygmomanometer (Tyco) are used during our studies to monitor blood pressure at rest, during exercise, and recovery.
- Lactate Analyzer. A portable lactate analyzer (Accusport) allows determination of blood lactate during exercise using one drop (20-25 μL) of fresh capillary blood.
- Automated external defibrillator (AED) and oxygen access.