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Human Performance Lab
The Human Performance Lab deliver three separate but equally important functions; research, education and exercise testing.
The UAA Human Performance Lab also provides a number of health, fitness and performance tests for individuals from the community, UAA employees and UAA students.
In order to support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect HPL’s clients, students, and staff, the Human Performance Lab’s services are temporarily suspended. All scheduled appointments will be cancelled or postponed until further notice. For updates, please check our website, follow us on social media, or email hpl@alaska.edu.
Appointments
Testing is offered by appointment only.
We accept cash or check only.
Payment is due at the time of service.
U.S. first responders are eligible for exclusive discounts. HPL offers discount to active police, military, fire, and EMS personnel. Discounts taken at the time of service and documentation may be required.
Schedule an appointment by clicking the button below or contact us at hper@alaska.edu or 907.786.4083.
Physical Requirements
Low/Moderate Risk
Clients must be "apparently healthy" and meet the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Risk Stratification criteria of Low Risk for a max test or of Moderate Risk for submax test. A physician's medical clearance may be required in some instances. All clients must complete and submit the following forms prior to their testing day: a health history, medical clearance (if Moderate Risk), and Informed Consent (provided at time of test).
No one with a risk stratification of High Risk will be allowed to be assessed in the Human Performance Lab. We regret not being able to provide the cardiorespiratory testing to this population though they may indicate higher performance capacities than some of lower risk. In all cases we encourage checking with your physician prior to testing and exercise training.
Note: At the start of your appointment we will complete remaining paperwork and briefly review test procedures.
Location
All testing is completed in the Human Performance Lab in Seawolf Sport Complex, Room 206, on the main UAA campus. The physical address of Eugene Short Hall is
2801 Spirit Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508.
Individual Test Options
- Body Composition - BOD POD®
The BOD POD® is becoming a gold standard for Body Composition testing. It is one of the best ways to accurately measure your lean mass and fat mass, and also provides an estimated resting metabolic rate (the number of calories your body needs to support its basic functions) and Total Energy Expenditure (the number of calories you need to make it through your day).
Schedule a BOD POD AppointmentSchedule a BOD POD Appointment
Research studies at major universities have established the outstanding accuracy, safety and speed of the BOD POD®. The BOD POD® analyzes how much you weigh, how much space (air displacement) you take up (volume) and calculates your density. Your body fat percentage is determined from that information.
Test Length: 15-30 minutes
- Functional Movement Screening (FMS)
Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is a battery of movement screens that helps to both prevent noncontact injuries and facilitate more effective training techniques. The screening ranks and grades movement patterns key to normal function. It identifies functional limitation and asymmetrics. Clients are provided corrective exercises most effective to maintain or improve proper movement and build strength.
Test Length: 20 minutes
- Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
The Metabolic Test provides insight into TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a measurement of the energy you burn each day for basic living functions. This test is highly accurate and uses the same technology utilized in hospitals to determine the amount of fat and carbohydrate you are burning (% fat, % carb, and grams) using the Parvo Medic TrueOne Metabolic Analyzer.
Testing is done in a fasted state while in a relaxed supine position for 30 minutes. This test includes the metabolic analyzer to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange, which requires wearing a breathing mask.
Data collected: RMR, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs (%, grams), fat (%, grams)
Test Length: 45 minutes
- VO2 Max
The VO2 (volume of oxygen) Max Test is considered the best measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness. It determines your maximum aerobic capacity, the body's ability to transport and utilize oxygen during exercise. A very high level of physical exertion is required to conduct this test.
Schedule a VO2 Max AppointmentSchedule a VO2 Max Appointment
The protocol for the VO2 max test starts with a warm-up stage then every three minutes the stage will increase in intensity (speed, incline and/or resistance). Data is gathered during each progressive stage. Upon reaching the maximum heart rate and/or peak values the exercise stages are stopped and the client cools-down for a period of time while additional data is gathered.
Bruce Protocol Chart
Data collected: VO2, VCO2, heart rate, resting blood pressure, grade, speed or watts, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), RPE (rate of perceived exertion), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs, fat).
Equipment: The Parvo Medic TruOne metabolic monitor used in the UAA Human Performance Lab is also used at NASA, USOC (US Olympic Center), Cooper Institute, and many universities. The Parvo is one of the most accurate devices made for testing cardiorespiratory fitness. The Monark Cycle Ergometer or Woodway Treadmill is also used for this test.
Test Length: 90 minutes
- VO2 Submax
The VO2 Submax Test follows a similar protocol as the VO2 Max but the test is terminated at approximately 85% of the client’s predicted maximum capacity (determined by heart rate). This is a less invasive test (without use of the metabolic analyzer) and provides data to determine appropriate training zones. The submax exercise test can be used to estimate maximal VO2. Metabolic Analyzer is not used with these tests.
Data collected: Heart rate, resting blood pressure, grade, speed or watts, RPE (rate of perceived exertion), and blood pressure.
Equipment: Monark Cycle Ergometer or Woodway Treadmill
Test Length: 60 minutes
- Metabolic Efficiency Point (MEP)
The Metabolic Efficiency Point Test is an ideal test to determine how much carbohydrate and fat is burned during aerobic exercise, as well as what proportion of these fuels your muscles prefer per stage (workload) using metabolic monitor measurements gathered from expired air.
Schedule a MEP AppointmentSchedule a MEP Appointment
The test protocol is geared toward detecting your fuel utilization (carbohydrate and fat burning ratios) at various intensities/workloads determined by heart rate, watts or speed and RPE. This data is vital to adjusting macronutrient composition of your daily diet as well as fuel intake surrounding training.
Knowing carbohydrate and fat utilization and how much of each fuel will provide valuable data for race day nutrition needs. The metabolic analyzer and accessory equipment is used with these tests.
Data Collected: VO2, VCO2, HR, grade, speed or watts, RER (respiratory exchange ratio), RPE (rate of perceived exertion), metabolic parameters (calories, carbs, fat)
Test Length: 120 minutes
- Lactate Threshold (LT)
The Lactate Threshold (LT) Test is conducted on a treadmill or cycle ergometer. Protocol includes step minute stages of progressive workloads with blood lactate collection (finger or earlobe pinprick) at rest, end of each successive stage and during recovery.
Schedule a Lactate Threshold AppointmentBook a LT Appointment
Lactate levels are highly correlated with performance and often used to determine training zones. Lactate threshold is the maximal intensity that one can maintain for a period of time without tipping the balance between production and clearance of lactate in the blood. Once tipped, muscle fatigue will ensue.
We recommend the test be completed during a recovery period to minimize effects from overall training fatigue. This test may be combined with the VO2 Max or Metabolic Efficiency Point tests utilizing the metabolic analyzer for an additional fee.
Data collected: Blood lactate (mmol/L), HR, speed or watts, RPE (rate of perceived exertion)
Test Length: 60 - 90 minutes
Frequently Booked Test Bundles
Add a Lactate Threshold test to another test
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