Rice Health and Physical Education Building

Our state-of-the-art human performance laboratory provides access to equipment designed for a variety of health, fitness, and performance testing needs, including isokinetic dynamometry, functional movement assessment, body composition assessment, and maximal aerobic performance. The facility and equipment are used for physical health and wellbeing classes, exercise physiology labs, training students in fitness evaluation and injury assessment, and conducting research.

Equipment in the Human Performance Lab

Body Composition (Fat) Assessments

• Underwater Weighing Tank – By submerging a person in the underwater weighing tank, body density can be calculated, which is then used to calculate the amount of fat and fat-free mass.
• Lange Skinfold Caliper – Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of a fold of skin and underlying fat tissue. From this, we can calculate how much of a person’s mass comes from fat tissue and how much comes from fat-free tissues.
• Body Fat Analyzer – Body fat analyzers use bioelectrical impedance (a measure of how much resistance an imperceivable electrical impulse receives as it travels through the body) to estimate how much of a person’s mass comes from fat tissue and how much comes from fat-free tissue. By standing on a leg-to-leg model or holding an arm-to-arm model, these tools provide quick and painless body composition feedback.

Cardiorespiratory Assessments

• Metabolic Measurement Systems – While wearing a face mask connected to the metabolic system and performing one of several treadmill or cycle protocols, the metabolic measurement system measures a person’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.  The gas exchange data is used to calculate aerobic fitness levels and energy expenditure.  
• Cardiac Assessment System – With the placement of 12 electrodes on predetermined body sites, the cardiac assessment system for exercise testing can monitor heart functions during various exercise protocols. Output can assess aerobic fitness levels and assist with diagnosing various cardiovascular conditions in a clinical setting.
• Polar Heart Rate Monitors – Heart rate monitors use an elastic strap to hold them in place over the center of the chest. The wireless setup allows for heart rate and performance intensity monitoring during all levels and types of land-based of activities using a higher signaling quality than fitness watches. Newer models also assist with recovery tracking by assessing heart rate recovery at rest.
• Blood Pressure Monitors – By attaching an inflatable cuff around the upper arm or wrist, blood pressure can be assessed at rest and during various fitness testing protocols. This is valuable for assessing health as well as maintaining safety during fitness testing. Our lab includes manual, automatic, and ambulatory blood pressure assessment tools.
• Spirometer – A person’s lung function can be assessed by having them blow into a tube connected to the spirometer. Output is used to measure lung air flow, strength, and function.

Fitness Assessment Tools

• Our lab uses treadmills, stair steppers, and various bikes to conduct aerobic and anaerobic fitness testing. Submaximal and maximal exercise protocols on these devices can assess a variety of components for aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

Muscular Strength and Power Assessment

• Isokinetic Dynamometry – Allowing only a selected joint to move, the dynamometer measures the amount of force produced by the muscles that cause that specific movement (e.g., knee extension). Force output during various testing protocols determines muscle strength, endurance, and power, which is beneficial for athletic performance testing and training, as well as injury rehabilitation and prevention.  
• Hand Grip Dynamometer – By gripping and squeezing the dynamometer, the amount of force applied is measured. Hand grip strength is a quick assessment of overall strength and function, especially in the elderly population.
• Force Plate – When standing, jumping, or walking across a force place, the load sensors measure how much force is applied as the person’s foot (or hand) contacts the plate. This information can be used to identify technique errors, injury risk, and overall biomechanical performance.
• Vertec – This vertical jump tester is used to manually measure how high a person can jump. Vertical jump data is used to assess vertical explosiveness and fatigue.
• Just Jump Mat – By jumping and landing on the mat, a person’s vertical jump height can be calculated by the attached computer. This system can also be used to measure foot quickness and explosive leg power during various sprint and agility protocols, which is valuable for athletic performance and injury rehabilitation testing.

Muscle Activation Assessments

• Electromyography – By attaching electrodes to preidentified locations on a muscle, the amount of electrical activity and thus the amount of muscle activation can be measured. This helps identify which muscles are being used, how well those muscles are generating force, and whether the associated motor nerve is working properly.
• Mechanomyography – By attaching a microphone to a preidentified location on a muscle, the amount of mechanical activity can be recorded, determining how well the muscle is functioning.

Movement Assessments

• Accelerometers – Accelerometers are small, wireless devices that can be worn on the wrist like a watch, or on a variety of other locations on the body. They monitor changes in speed and direction during all types of activities, including activities of daily living and sleep. Data provides insights into a person’s movement patterns, physical activity, injury risk, and even sleep behaviors.
• Goniometer – A joint’s range of motion can be measured by holding a goniometer next to the joint and the adjacent body segments. Joint range of motion can be used to assess flexibility and monitor injury rehabilitation progress.
• Functional Movement System – By having a person perform seven movement patterns, students can assess how well a person moves. Lower quality movement patterns can be identified and then addressed through a corrective exercise program to enhance movement and reduce the risk of possibly injury related to faulty movement patterns.

Other Assessments

• Refractometers – By providing a sample of urine, a person’s hydration status can be measured using a refractometer. This is important for health as well as accuracy in body composition assessment and drug screens.  
• Lactate Analyzer – By providing droplets of blood through a finger prick, a person’s blood lactate levels can be measured. Results can be used to identify muscle fatigue, anaerobic fitness performance, or health concerns.
• Glucose Analyzer – By providing droplets of blood through a finger prick, a person’s blood sugar level can be determined. Measurements can be taken at rest and in association with exercise to assess overall health and athletic performance.

Training Equipment

• QCPR Manikins – QCPR manikins include realistic features, giving students high quality experience in administrating CPR and AED training. Bluetooth connectivity allows students to receive individuals and real time feedback on their compression depth and rate as well as breathing volume and rate.  
• Wound Training Models – Wound training models, in conjunction with the Stop the Bleed program, provide students the opportunity to learn how to control bleeding from potentially life-threatening wounds. Students gain potentially life-saving training packing wounds and applying tourniquets. (coming soon)