Jose Orozco
The Paw Print
What goes on in the HPPE department no longer stays there. An open house was hosted by the Human Performance lab the middle of November. This was just a peek into what is done over in Plachy Hall. Several department students were given a variety of physical performance tests including fitness age, Wingate Bicycle for anaerobic power, VO2 testing with assessments of blood lactate threshold and body composition.
Other campus and Community members were also welcome to attend and about 15 of them did. Though none of them were tested, they were able to observe the options available in the lab, and eat cookies and fruit which was provided by catering through Vista.
In one corner a student was running on a treadmill while his head was trapped in a hose that connected to a computer to read off his oxygen uptake. This test is called the VO2max test which is a great test to determine anaerobic endurance for activities such as running. The student was running at around 10 mph with a three percent incline gradient. His VO2 was extremely high, above the 99th percentile for his age and gender. This was to be expected of an athlete training with the track and cross country team at ASC. This test can also be done using a walking protocol, and the specific method used, is determined by the individual’s current fitness level.
Photo by Lace King: HPPE Open House Test
Another person was cycling on a bike, pedaling at an fast pace for 30 seconds while others were adding resistance. The Wingate Bicycle test appeared easier than the treadmill test because it was shorter, but it tests anaerobic power. Others were being measured on body composition with a measuring caliper pinching onto the skin in a total of seven spots. The pinch did not hurt but did leave a red mark.
On the other side of the room a woman was doing push-ups and sit-ups with some stretching. That test was part of the fitness age test that gives a physiological age based on four areas of fitness to compared to actual age.
For those who are curious about how they would score, they can stop by next semester. Starting in January the performance lab will be open one evening each week to offer any of the above performance tests. This offer is also open to the community at a minimal cost. Dr. Tracey Robinson is the contact person for the Human Performance Lab. She can be contacted at tlrobins@adams.edu or by phone at 587-7663. Her office is located in Plachy Hall room C117.
It is notable that research done in this lab has been published in Human Performance Journals. One specific example is the experiment done with Beta-Alanine and Human Performance. The supplement induced performance increases were found to be subject to the addition of Beta-Alanine during training.
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