Overview of Facility and Equipment
Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Georgia Institute of Technology
Located in Room 112 on ground floor of Paul Weber Building
281 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0356
The Exercise Physiology Laboratory within the School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology is well equipped to investigate several key areas of applied human and exercise physiology research. In 2002, a custom-built (Johnson Controls) environmental chamber ($75,000) was installed in the newly renovated (750 sq. ft.) laboratory space. The 12 x 9 x 8 ft climatic chamber is capable of maintaining ambient temperatures ranging from 60 to 105 oF and relative humidity from 10 to 90%. Environmental conditions as well as subject’s core and skin temperature are measured with calibrated telethermometers interfaced to a personal computer.
 |
 |
 |
Environmental chamber testing (pediatric population and high performance cyclists
Metabolic rate, oxygen cost, respiratory exchange ratio can be determined using either a Parvo Medics Metabolic system (purchased in 2002) or a Sensor Medics 2900 Metabolic Cart. In 2008, two Viasys Vmax calorimeters were obtained to perform resting metabolic rate studies. The Laboratory has several cycle ergometers: two high performance electronically braked ergometers (Excalibur Sport, Lode, Netherlands), one electronically braked Sensor Medics Ergolyne ergometer, and three mechanically braked Monarch 190 ergometers. A custom-built Parker treadmill was purchased in 2003. It has a variable incline capability and a maximum speed of 15 mi/hr. In addition, the Laboratory is equipped with a Quinton EKG monitor/treadmill system and a Pacer treadmill. A computerized isometric testing device was custom-built to obtain maximal voluntary force in the knee extensor muscles.
 |
 |
| Metabolic testing of amputee on treadmill | Computerized isometric |
Housed within the Laboratory is a body composition room featuring a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (GE Lunar Prodigy unit) for assessing bone mineral density and total body fatness. Body mass measurements are obtained using a Chatillon H81000 platform scale accurate within 0.05 kg. Additional measurement tools include standard laboratory calipers for measuring skinfold thicknesses and an anthropometric measurement kit for assessing body girths and skeletal widths.
The bench laboratory section includes general clinical chemistry spectrophotometric analyzers for electrolytes, glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, and various protein and enzymatic assays. A Nova-5 electrolyte analyzer was purchased in 2008 in order to measure within the range required to detect sweat sodium concentration. Total body water can be performed via infrared spectrophometry and osmolality via a MicroOsmette osmometer.
|
|
