University creates new kinesiology lab

From staff reports

WSU and the Pullman community will soon have its very own athletic performance evaluation lab on campus.

The Exercise Physiology and Performance Laboratory, located in Smith Gym, started in August when Chris Connolly, assistant professor of educational leadership, sport studies, and educational and counseling psychology, came to WSU.

Connolly said he used his extensive experience testing athletes at previous institutions as a reference point on how to begin organizing the EPPL.

The lab consists of several different pieces of athletic performance testing equipment used to measure fitness levels and exercise capacities.

One of the evaluation methods is performed on a treadmill and measures VO2 max, which refers to the maximum amount of oxygen an individual can utilize during exercise.

An individual is hooked up to a mouthpiece that tracks the oxygen, and is asked to run at specific increasing intervals. The exercise intensity increases until the individual’s oxygen consumption plateaus as the intensity continues to increase.

This plateau is the VO2 max and is used to measure aerobic fitness and endurance.

Connolly said this test is usually a “great atmosphere” that brings the researchers together to cheer on the individual as they give an all-out effort into the test.

The lab also includes equipment for Wingate testing, which measures anaerobic power, or the highest mechanical power generated by an individual in a short period.

Additionally the lab includes a Bod Pod machine that measures body composition such as muscle mass and body fat.

Connolly said this machine is one of the pieces of equipment that is of most interest to the general public because of the emphasis on weight in society.

The EPPL is awaiting final approval as an official university service center from the university. Once it receives this approval, Connolly said the lab will provide a great service for WSU students, athletes, and faculty, as well as the Pullman community.

Reporting by Steffen Stroup