Human Physiology

Cardiovascular

The Exercise and Environmental Ergonomics Laboratory has a variety of technologies available for measuring indicators of a participant’s cardiovascular health/status.

Heart Rate Monitors allow researchers to measure exercise intensity for each participant in any given activity.

Polar Team connects multiple heart rate monitors to the one live recording device, allowing simultaneous assessment of every player’s exercise intensity in a training or game environment.

Pulse Oximiter/NIRs devices are a non-invasive method of measuring the concentration of oxygen in the blood and are beneficial in many clinical tests.

Laser Doppler technology can measure and assess change in the rate of blood flow under the skin.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors the electrical activity of the heart in order to assess a participant for the potential of cardiovascular disease.

Blood analysis (inflammation, substrates, metabolism) can provide valuable indications of changes in experimental variables during research in the labs.

Thermal Physiology

Core Temperature

Ingestible Telemetry uses temperature sensors that can be consumed orally by the participant. A wireless handheld device can read and record this temperature data for analysis.

Rectal Temperature is reliably close to true core temperature. It is particularly advantageous when a participant is exposed to hot or cold environmental conditions and the researcher requires an accurate core temperature.

Skin Temperature

Thermocrons are thumbnail sized sensors that can be used on surfaces to record temperature and humidity over time. This is particularly practical for measuring skin temperature during exercise or exposure to hot or cold environments.

Thermistors are another method of continuously measuring temperature. These thin wires can be placed on the skin and are relatively non-invasive.

Thermal Imaging is conducted with the FLIR infrared camera, which can deliver real-time surface temperature measurements. It has the capacity to measure temperatures from-20 to 120°C (-4 to 248°F).

Body Composition

DXA, or Duel-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, is one of the most accurate body composition scans available. It not only provides exceptional data and imaging on muscle and body fat mass (including the locales of each) but also measures the bone mineral density of an individual, making it a valuable resource for health professionals in the musculoskeletal field. A participant simply has to lay flat on the machine for six minutes whilst the x-ray is undertaken.

BodPod uses air displacement technology to measure the density of a participant’s body and provides accurate measurements of body fat and fat-free mass. Often used by athletes and individuals commencing a fitness program, the BodPod requires the participant to sit quietly for a few minutes and breathe as normal.

Skin Folds require laboratory-grade skin calipers to take measurements at a number of specific sites on the participant’s body via a gentle pinch. This is a common method of measuring an individual’s body fat and is used widely in the fitness industry.

Bio-electrical Impedance is another method of measuring body composition. It works by passing a small electrical signal through the participant’s body to assess water content of the body, which can then be used to infer body fat and fat-free mass. The electrical signal cannot be felt and the process is similar to standing on a scale for a few seconds.

Hydration

Osmomat Osmometer provides reliable readings of the osmolality of urine and blood (serum), giving the researcher accurate data on the hydration status of the participant.

Bio-electrical Impedance can also be used to measure hydration. It works by passing a small electrical signal through the participant’s body to assess water content of the body, which can then be used to infer body fat and fat-free mass. The electrical signal cannot be felt and the process is similar to standing on a scale for a few seconds.

Refractometer (Urinary Specific Gravity), or USG, measures the concentration of solutes in urine. The closer the reading is to 1.000, the more hydrated a participant is. This handheld device measures hydration quickly and accurately.