Sport and Exercise Science

We have excellent facilities for the study of human physiological function and exercise performance. By way of strength testing, we have systems to measure isometric and isokinetic strength. We can measure oxygen consumption at basal levels through to maximal exercise on a treadmill and with both arm and leg cycle ergometers complemented with automated blood pressure measurement and EMG capabilities. Body composition can be measured using air displacement plethysmography while we have a full diagnostic lung function testing system and the ability to make both static and ambulatory cardio-respiratory measurements. In addition we can also simulate attitude with a hypoxic generator and elevate inspired oxygen concentration. We can measure biochemical parameters including blood gases, pH, lactate, sodium and potassium ions, haematocrit, glucose and cholesterol, to study changes in metabolism during exercise. The sport and exercise psychology field resources include questionnaires and interviewing equipment. Additionally, the exercise physiology labs are available to perform psycho-physiological research. Our molecular exercise physiology laboratories have:

• RNA and molecular biology laboratories
• human cell culture facilities
• human performance laboratory
• advanced proteomics detection methods (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer)
• equipment for studying immune cell function (flow cytometry)
• general equipment for carrying out molecular sciences (plate readers, real-time qPCR and confocal microscopy)