EXERCISE SCIENCE LABORATORIES
The Department of Kinesiology houses seven different laboratory spaces and a wide variety of cutting edge equipment for students to gain hands on experience in the field of exercise science. All of the laboratories are in the Williams-Brice Building on the Coastal Carolina University campus. A few of the laboratories are primarily used for teaching; however, there are several laboratories that are dedicated for student research with a faculty mentor.
Integrated Exercise Science Laboratory
The Smith Integrated Exercise Science Laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology used in the assessment of the physiology of exercise. Located within the lab are office spaces, student data analysis workstations, and a physiological assessment room.
Included in the assessment room is a variety of sophisticated equipment used for the measurement of cardiovascular fitness, pulmonary function, and muscular strength.
Equipment:
- Biodex System 3 Isokinetic Dynamometer
- COSMED Quark PFT and CPET
- COSMED K4B2
- Lode Corival CPET
- T-2100 Treadmill
- CASETM Exercise Testing System
- MOXY Muscle Oxygen Monitor
- BioPac MP 1500
- Delsys Trigno Wireless Biofeedback System with Galileo Sensor
- Hokanson Rapid Cuff Inflator
- Accugraph Accelerometers
Body Composition and Metabolism Laboratory
In the Body Composition and Metabolism Laboratory, exercise and sport science students can experience multiple industry-standard methods of measuring muscle mass and fat mass in humans. This laboratory also contains equipment to measure resting caloric expenditure and the percentage of carbohydrates and fats used to make energy. The Body Composition and Metabolism Laboratory has researched college-aged students and collegiate athletes to understand the fuel requirements in these populations.
Equipment:
- ParvoMedics TrueMax 2400™ Metabolic Measurement System
- Resting metabolic rate dilution system
- BodPod by Life Measurement inc.
- RJL Quantum IV Body Composition Analyzer
Strength and Wellness Laboratory
The Strength and Wellness Laboratory is a two-floor functional fitness facility with Olympic lifting platforms, free weights, resistance machines, and aerobic machines. This laboratory is primarily a teaching laboratory that students can experience in courses such as EXSS 390 - Strength and Condition and EXSS 415 - Personal Fitness Leadership. In EXSS 415, students will complete an experiential learning project by training a real client. For this project, students will apply their knowledge from their exercise and sport science courses. This laboratory is also actively used in faculty/student research projects involving resistance and muscular strength.
Equipment:
- Olympic lifting platform and bumper plates
- Power racks
- Cybex weight machines
- Cybex exercise cycles, ellipticals, and treadmills
- TRX Suspension Training System
- 250 lb. Rival heavy bag and bag gloves
Neuromechanics Laboratory
The Neuromechanics Laboratory uses biomechanical measures and muscle activation (EMG) to assess human movement. Current studies conducted in the laboratory focus on ways to acutely enhance expression of force and power and/or mitigate fatigue effects, in an effort to improve performance and acutely improve range of motion.
Equipment:
- Kistler portable force plate
- Nikon Z50 camera
- 2 Digital iLoad Pro load cells
- Motorized treadmill
- Hammer Strength half rack
- Free standing squat rack
- iWorx EMG system
- Bumper plates
- Foam roller
- Jump mats
- Digital inclinometer
- Myotest Triaxial Accelerometer
- Assess2Perform Three Bar Sensei Accelerometer
- Hykso Punch Accelerometers with gyroscopes and magnetometers
- Assess2Perform Ballistic Medicine Balls with Indwelling Accelerometers
- Gymaware powertool by Kinetic Performance Technology
- Isometric midthigh pull platform
EXSS Teaching Laboratories
There are two teaching laboratories within the Department of Kinesiology. These laboratories are primarily used to allow students to experience physiological changes that occur during exercise (EXSS 350 - Exercise Physiology) and master skills of exercise testing and exercise prescription through hands on learning (EXSS 385 - Exercise Testing and Prescription). In addition to learning during class time, students may use these spaces outside of class time to conduct research with a faculty mentor.
Example teaching laboratory activities:
- YMCA Submaximal Aerobic Test
- Skinfold body composition measurements
- Muscle strength testing
- VO2max Test
Exercise equipment used in labs include Monark™ Cycle Ergometers, Lange™ Skinfold Calipers, and OMNIA BIA Analyzers.
Motor Behavior and Sport & Exercise Psychology Laboratory
KNES Behavioral Teaching Laboratory
The Motor Behavior Laboratory is fully equipped with technology and equipment used int he assessment of human motor control and skilled performance. Located within the lab is an integrated instructional classroom conducive to student engagement and participation in both lecture and lab activities.
The lab includes a variety of equipment used for human evaluation in perception, movement timing, balance motor control, proprioception, biofeedback, motor abilities, and cognition. Research examining areas such as anticipation-timing, balance, motor learning/practice conditions, reaction time, choking under pressure and skilled performance, cortical resources and motor skilled performance is currently conducted by students and faculty. For both teaching and research purposes, the lab houses the equipment listed below.
Equipment:
- Biodex Balance System SD
- Lafayette Modified Bassin Anticipation Timer (2)
- MOART Reaction and Movement Time Panel with Psymcon Control (5)
- Lafayette Stability Platform with Digital Control (4)
- Lafayette Dexterity and Ability Assessment (variety)
- Speed Radar Guns (4)
- Lafayette Clocks and Switchmats (variety)
- MUSE – portable EEG system (ERP and Frequency analysis)
- E-Prime - Psychological Software (e.g. tests working memory, attention)
