Chamber called big boost for UA

Vital exercise data expected

Student athlete Kikko Haydar works out in the new environmental chamber at the University of Arkansas HPER building Wednesday afternoon as UA students Matt Tucker and J.D. Adams (right) check his vital statistics during a demonstration for the grand opening in Fayetteville. The chamber can be controlled to study the effects of heat and hydration on the body.
Student athlete Kikko Haydar works out in the new environmental chamber at the University of Arkansas HPER building Wednesday afternoon as UA students Matt Tucker and J.D. Adams (right) check his vital statistics during a demonstration for the grand opening in Fayetteville. The chamber can be controlled to study the effects of heat and hydration on the body.

University of Arkansas officials celebrated the opening of a lab that enables students and faculty members to track data related to exercise in a controlled environment Wednesday.

Chancellor G. David Gearhart said the lab brings the university one step closer to being a top 50 research university -- a goal Gearhart has for the Fayetteville campus.

The Environmental Chamber will be used to research numerous exercise-related issues including heat and hydration for athletes, Matthew Ganio, Human Performance Laboratory director said. It could also be used to study numerous other scenarios such as a soldier carrying heavy gear in the desert or a worker in a hot factory.

The $200,000 chamber allows researchers to control the environment when conducting experiments, Ganio said. He said the temperature along with humidity levels can be altered to simulate different conditions.

Researchers also are able to collect data from an individual exercising in the chamber including blood pressure, internal temperature, pulse, oxygen level and sweat.

Kikko Haydar, a Razorback basketball player, pedaled a stationary bike in the environment chamber during the event. Data from Haydar was instantly available for viewing on a large screen outside the chamber.

"We can even see whether a foot is pedaling faster than another," Ganio said.

Ganio said sensors along with a mask can be used to collect data from the subject. A pill-like object that subjects swallow also allows researchers to track internal temperature.

Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, said the chamber will help the university compete in the academic field.

"It will be a whole lot easier to recruit top notch faculty along with doctoral and graduate students," Smith said.

Better recruiting will help create more research dollars, Smith said. He said this will help the university reach its goal as a top research institution.

Students and faculty members in the department have been using the lab for research in recent weeks. Brendon McDermott, assistant professor, said he is focusing on hydration research. He said research on hydration could potentially improve health along with performance.

Christian Ridings, a graduate student under McDermott, is in the process of analyzing data from a project conducted in the chamber.

The research revolved around a water bottle that could be used to drink from as well as provide cool air to an athlete, Ridings said. He said subjects in the experiment breathed in cool air from the straw in the water bottle.

"It made controlling the environment so much easier," Ridings said about using the chamber.

Experiments outside the chamber introduce uncontrolled factors, Ridings said. He said factors such as perspiration can alter an experiment.

Ganio said there are 700 students at the University of Arkansas majoring in exercise science. Another 35 students are in the masters program and 12 are working toward their Ph.Ds.

Arkansas on 05/08/2014

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