HHP Sports Lab Research
Featured Research In Progress:
The PSI study aims to understand how psychological (P), social (S), and individual (I) factors influence fitness and health outcomes in healthy adults. Clients who register for our Sports Lab services can choose to have their de-identified data included in this research. By contributing, our clients help advance scientific understanding and improve health outcomes both personally and societally. The researchers conducting this study are Drs. Kara Hamilton, Joel Harden, Liz Hathaway, and Karissa Peyer.
For more information on how to register for testing services at our lab, please see the “HHP Sports Lab Services” link on the homepage. (Study’s Status: In Progress.)
Featured Published Research:
“External mechanical efficiency across incremental VO2 max stages and ventilatory efficiency in well-trained and less-trained adults” By Kara C. Hamilton, Joel E. Harden, and Karissa P. Rein
Summary: External mechanical efficiency and ventilatory efficiency provide insight into physiological responses during exercise, but it is unclear whether differences between well-trained and less-trained runners remain consistent as exercise intensity increases. In a recent study by Dr. Hamilton and colleagues, runners completed an incremental VO₂ max treadmill test to examine efficiency across exercise stages. Well-trained runners demonstrated greater external mechanical efficiency at higher stages, while ventilatory efficiency differed by sex rather than training status. The study also found that simple verbal instructions enabled runners to self-select starting speeds that produced appropriate test durations and VO₂ peaks. To read the full text article, click here.
Hamilton, KC, Harden JE, Rein, KP. (2026) External mechanical efficiency across incremental VO2 max stages and ventilatory efficiency in well-trained and less-trained adults. Current Research in Physiology, 9:199189. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphys.2026.100189.