Sports Physiology Laboratory

Our laboratory houses state of the art testing equipment, which are used for the physiological assessment of individuals, research and teaching. This includes two hp Cosmos treadmills allowing for multiple tests to be carried out simultaneously. This facilitates testing of disabled athletes, cyclists and other specialist populations; whilst a harness system always allows for safety precautions to me maintained whilst performing maximal tests. Gas analysis is undertaken using the Fitmate Pro, Metalyser 3B, Metamax 3B online spirometry systems, allied to more traditional teaching methods such as Douglas bags and dry gas analysers.

We widely use the iWorx compound system, to allow testing of multiple physiological parameters, particularly in teaching sessions on resting ECG and spirometry. Facilities are also available for high level clinical testing, such as exercise ECG, measures of Achilles bone density, functional performance and muscular activation using EMG. Performance analysis is undertaken using a Lode cycle ergometer, conforming to British Cycling test standards, a HUMAC NORM Isokinetic Dynamometer (IKD) and several other ergometers such as rowing machines and WattBike Pros. Capillary blood sampling using lactate pro 2, Prima Multicare and Hemocue systems is used with undergraduate students; together with urine and salivary sampling, is used to assess various metabolic outputs. Venous blood training available for staff and postgraduate students. In addition, the laboratory also benefits from a variety of field test equipment including simple performance analysis measures; pulse oximeters, ANT + heart rate monitors, Catapult GPS system and Fusion Sport Smart Speed timing system.

Facilities also include equipment designed to simulate altitude responses, thermoregulatory stress and haemodynamic responses to exercise (using near-infrared spectroscopy).