HHP Sports Lab Applied Learning Highlights
UTC Olympic Weightlifting Club
This UTC club hosts students interested in learning to perform the Hang Clean and Power Clean in the HHP Sports Lab each month. Students can work in small groups and learn the many aspects of Olympic weightlifting in a safe place with trained coaches. Training bars and training plates allow participants to practice each step of an Olympic lift while staying safe and reducing chance of injury. Lindsay Hyden, an EHS Lecturer in the Exercise Health Sciences program serves as the Faculty Advisor for the club sport team and the student members continue to grow each semester.
Integrating ECG Analysis with Mechanical Events in Advanced Exercise Physiology
In Dr. Hamilton's Advanced Exercise Physiology course, students explore the intricate relationship between electrical and mechanical events within the cardiac cycle. By analyzing ECG readings, they learn to correlate electrical activity with the corresponding mechanical events in the heart. Additionally, they examine how factors like body position, breathing, and exercise influence heart rate and rhythm, deepening their understanding of cardiovascular physiology in both resting and dynamic conditions. This hands-on approach equips students with a thorough comprehension of how physiological changes are reflected in ECG patterns
Developing Skills in Anthropometrics
MPH nutrition and dietetics students in Professor Maddux's Nutrition Assessment Class use the sports lab to refine their skills in anthropometrics and body composition analysis. They gain hands-on experience with tools and techniques for measuring body fat percentage, muscle mass, and other key health indicators. This practical training enhances their understanding of nutrition assessment methods and prepares them for real-world clinical and research settings.
University High Student Lab Experience
During the fall semester, University High students visit the lab to gain hands-on experience with exercise science testing. They learn how to complete the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), a battery of seven tests that assess a person’s fundamental movement patterns. The FMS can be used to identify strengths, weaknesses and limitations that may increase the risk of injury or impair athletic performance. Students also conduct a VO₂ max test, guiding a participant through a graded treadmill exercise protocol to measure maximal oxygen consumption, the key indicator of cardiovascular fitness.