Exercise Physiology Lab Service
The following is a list of services that the Exercise Physiology Lab offers. Descriptions follow.
There is a fee associated with most of these services.
The Exercise Physiology Lab is located in room B-143 in Johnson Center . Call 277-2658 to schedule an appointment.
Blood Lipid/Glucose Testing
Blood lipid and glucose testing is scheduled for the first Thursday of each month (unless it is a holiday or the day after a holiday such as New Years or 4th of July). The tests are held from 7:00 - 9:00 am on a walk-in basis. A 12-hour fast is required (do not eat anything for the entire 12 hours, and do not drink, including coffee, tea and juice for the entire 12 hours). You CAN drink plain water during your fast, and it is encouraged. There is a cost for the blood lipid test and the glucose test. Please call 277-2658 for current rates.
Fitness Assessment Package
This battery of tests provides physical measures to quantify an individual's aerobic fitness, body composition, muscular strength, flexibility, blood lipid profile and dietary intake. The assessment includes a one-on-one interpretation of the results and an exercise prescription. The physiological assessment (PA) is useful for those who are considering a lifestyle change (starting an exercise program or a nutritional change), or those who want to see effects of such lifestyle changes.
The client will perform a graded exercise test to volitional exhaustion while monitored with a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Body composition is assessed through either a skinfold technique or bioelectrical impedance. Muscular strength and endurance are tested using calisthenic-type exercises. Lower back and hamstring flexibility is tested using the modified sit-and-reach test, and shoulder flexibility is also tested.
Results are available the day of the test and include comparison to normative values based on age and gender. The PA lasts 1½ - 2 hours. Specific pre-test instructions are provided prior to your test. Based on your age (men > 45 years, women >55 years) and/or the results of the prescreening, a physician may be present during the stress test.
There is a fee for this package of tests and pre-screening is required – please call the lab at 277-2658 for rates and appointment availability.
Body Composition Assessment
Hydrostatic (underwater) weighing is considered "the gold standard" for body composition assessment (accuracy ± 1 - 1.5% error). To increase the accuracy of hydrostatic weighing, a residual volume (RV) test is also conducted, which provides an accurate measurement of the amount of air trapped in the respiratory system once the client has exhaled as much air as possible. An RV is good for eight years provided that the client has no significant changes in lung function and capacity.
Skinfold Assessment - A three-site skinfold measurement is used to predict relative body fat and lean mass. Skinfold measurement sites differ between the sexes: chest, abdomen, and thigh for men; triceps, suprailiac, and thigh for women. This body composition technique is not as accurate as is a hydrostatic weighing, but still estimates body fat with reasonable accuracy ( ± 3.5% error). It is also a good technique to use to monitor changes over time.
Bodpod - The BodPod is a method using air displacement (accuracy ± 3 - 4% error). It is a quick, automated, noninvasive, and safe measurement process, and accommodates most populations including children, obese, elderly, and disabled persons. This technique is not accurate for those with facial or dense body hair.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) – This is the quickest and least invasive method of body composition assessment using very low electric currents (not safe for those with pacemakers). The BIA (accuracy ± ~4% error) also has equations for various populations, including disabled, obese and children.
All of the above tests have a fee. Please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and to schedule an appointment – these tests are not available on a walk-in basis.
Quick Fitness Assessment Package
This package is similar to the Physiological Assessment in that it measures body composition, strength, and flexibility. Aerobic fitness is assessed through a submaximal exercise test (without electrocardiogram). Therefore, the resulting aerobic fitness values will be somewhat less accurate than if a maximal exercise stress test was performed. This test takes ½ hour to 45 minutes, including interpretation of test results, making it especially useful for those on a tight schedule.
This test does have a fee. Please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and to schedule an appointment.
Strength Assessment
Muscular fitness testing can assess muscular strength, endurance, and/or power. This is done with various types of testing and instrumentation.
This test does have a fee. Please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and to schedule an appointment.
Stress Testing
An exercise stress test is used to accurately develop an exercise program (or exercise prescription). It is used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and may also help uncover blood pressure, heart, and lung problems. This test generally requires walking or running on a treadmill. It may also be performed on a stationary bicycle or other apparatus as deemed necessary.
The client's cardiac activity will be constantly monitored through a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and periodic blood pressure measurements for the duration of the test. Due to client preparation requirements and result interpretation, stress-testing appointments generally require one hour. However, the actual exercise portion usually lasts ~15 minutes. Based on your age (men > 45 years, women >55 years) and/or the results of the prescreening, a physician may be present during the stress test.
There is a fee for this test and pre-screening is required – please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and appointment availability.
VO2 max
The term "VO2 max" refers to the body's maximal oxygen consumption as determined through a maximal exercise stress test in which expired gases are collected and analyzed. Cardiac activity and blood pressure may also be monitored during the test. This style of testing is appropriate for individuals who want to determine their training heart rate ranges, workloads and/or nutritional requirements for optimal performance in training or competition. It can also be used to monitor the effects of a particular training regimen.
VO2 max tests are generally conducted on a treadmill or stationary bicycle (arm ergometer or other apparatus available upon request). All attempts are made to customize the test to be representative of the requirements of the sport and the needs of the individual. Additional testing such as blood lactate, efficiency and maximal steady state are also available. Based on your age (men > 45 years, women >55 years) and/or the results of the prescreening, a physician may be present during the stress test.
There is a fee for this test and pre-screening is required – please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and appointment availability.
Wingate Power Test
The Wingate test is a 30 second all-out effort on a cycle ergometer (stationary bicycle). This test measures anaerobic power. Results include peak power, mean power over the 30 seconds, and rate of fatigue that can be loosely associated with muscle fiber type. This test is used for those interested in peak muscle power and local muscle endurance.
There is a fee for this test – please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and appointment availability.
Resting Metabolic Rate
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) or resting energy expenditure is the amount of energy expended when fasted and at rest. RMR is measure by gas analysis (like VO2 max testing). The RMR can help determine the minimum number of calories needed to support essential bodily functions and can be helpful in developing a diet with the appropriate amount of calories for you.
This is not an essential component of calculating calories for you. The dietitian will estimate your calorie need without this based on gender, age, height, current body weight, desired body weight, and activity level using the equations based on the latest research. See Nutrition Services for more information.
There is a fee for this test – please call the lab at 277-2658 for current rates and appointment availability.
