The exercise physiology laboratory’ primary role is to assist coaches in their endeavour to realize the full potential of their athletes. The laboratory has state of the art technology and facilities that can be used to profile an athlete’s physical strengths, assess the impact of fitness training regimes and importantly, to recommend training advice to improve and optimize performance.
The laboratory caters for endurance and sprint/strength athletes. For the endurance athlete the laboratory has the capability to fully profile the crucial endurance physiological and performance parameters. The laboratory has a metabolic analyser able to accurately determine an athlete’s maximal aerobic power or oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and economy of movement, two important factors that contribute to superior performance. The laboratory also possesses a blood lactate analyser that can be used to determine the athlete’s lactate levels and the lactate inflection point (“anaerobic threshold”), important determinants of endurance fitness. The laboratory also has a modern treadmill capable of speeds of up to 40 km/hr and cycling ergometers to profile fitness either running or cycling. Ultimately a full athlete profile can be generated that provides the athlete with the knowledge of how they stand relative to other athletes, and with training advice that will improve performance.
Ultimately the laboratory is capable of conducting most physiological relevant tests to elite sport. The goal of the team of the laboratory is to contribute a small but significant impact that determines success.
