Human Performance Lab
Are you ready to take your performance to the next level? The Adelphi University Human Performance Lab offers the most comprehensive sport assessment in the Eastern United States.
The Human Performance Laboratory at Adelphi University has conducted over two thousand performance tests since 1981, drawing from 40+ years of expertise with endurance athletes (triathletes, marathoners, Cat 1, 2 & 3 cyclists, and ultra-runners) and 20+ years of experience with the NY Islanders.
Our Dedicated Experts
Our team consists of Exercise Physiologists and Physical Therapists, ensuring comprehensive assessments. Following the assessments, we hold discussion sessions to ensure your understanding of the technical assessment and to translate the information into a user-friendly recipe for success.
Dr. Bob Otto is the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Adelphi University for over 40 years and a competitive triathlete. Trained as an Exercise Physiologist, he has ample sports experience to complement his academic preparation. He has conducted more than 2000 sports performance evaluations of triathletes, cyclists, runners, as well as lacrosse and hockey players. He has a USAT Coaching Certificate and has coached endurance athletes since the early 1990’s. He competed in more than 350 triathlons including sixty-four 70.3 Ironman races, 2 IM, numerous Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and 16 marathons. He was a Division I Lacrosse Coach at UNC-Chapel Hill and was part of the NY Islanders Sports Performance Team for 20 years starting in 1981. He can bring the science of sport performance testing to you, as you improve yourself.
John Petrizzo, DPT is a Physical Therapist, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and a full-time faculty member in the Department of Health and Sport Sciences at Adelphi University. John has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Hofstra University, where he was a member of the football team and holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology. He has worked in the fitness industry since 2006 in a variety of roles and settings and has helped many patients and clients achieve their health, fitness, and sports performance goals through appropriately applied strength training. John has been competing in Powerlifting since 2012.
Mike Aquino, DPT is a board certified Physical Therapist and Assistant Professor in the Exercise Science Program at Adelphi University. Dr. Aquino was a former NCAA Division I and Professional soccer player and has spent over 10 years training youth soccer players. He was originally trained as an Exercise Physiologist, therefore his clinical expertise is complimented by his knowledge in performance evaluation. He hss a certification in Selective Functional Movement Assessments through the Functional Movement Systems, which improves his capability to perform biomechanical analyses of running, cycling, and all other athletic based movements. He is also currently approved to take the Orthopedic Certified Specialist Exam through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialist.
John Wygand is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Adult Fitness Program at Adelphi University for over 35 years. As an Exercise Physiologist, he has ample sports experience to complement his academic preparation. He served as Strength and Conditioning Advisor to the Adelphi University Dept of Athletics for more than 20 years. John worked with professional and developmental level hockey players as a consultant to the NY Islanders organization over two decades starting in 1981 and was an invited member of the National Hockey League Association of Sports Scientists. He also brings experience working with youth sports participants in hockey, lacrosse, football and baseball.
Sports Performance Testing
Sports Performance Testing can include assessment of metabolism and movement performance and/or body composition. The metabolic portion of Sport Performance Testing evaluates your run or cycle performance from a metabolic, cardiopulmonary and biomechanical perspective. You run on a treadmill and/or cycle on a Lode Cycle Ergometer from warm-up to maximal exertion.
Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency
Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency provides the following:
- Maximal ability to consume oxygen and exercise aerobically
- The workload and heart rate at your Anaerobic Threshold
- Serial blood lactate values to pinpoint your maximal endurance workload
- Establish precise training zones for optimal physical conditioning
- Determine your optimal efficiency pace and foot cadence
- Biomechanical video analysis to improve run or cycle efficiency
- Provide specific suggestions to improve movement efficiency
- Evaluate your genetic potential
- A plan to improve performance
![An Adelphi student-athlete participating in a Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency.](https://www.adelphi.edu/education/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/upclose-front-max-test-1024x681.jpg)
An Adelphi student-athlete runs on a treadmill during a Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency.
Double Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency (THE BRICK)
The Max VO2 test is performed on both a cycle and a treadmill to determine your maximal ability to perform endurance (aerobic) exercise. This is usually for the serious triathlete, as it provides all the same parameters as the single Max VO2 test, but you receive double the information to improve both the bike and run portions of a triathlon.
Resting Metabolic Rate
The resting metabolic rate (RMR) measures the amount of energy (Calories) one expends at rest to stay alive (baseline level of calories burned). The specific amount of fat fuel versus carbohydrate fuel is measured. This test is often used for designing a nutrition plan or a weight loss program.
![metabolic data on a screen](https://www.adelphi.edu/education/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/metabolic-data-1024x681.jpg)
A view of metabolic data displayed on a screen in the Human Performance Lab.
Body Composition Evaluation
Hydrostatic Weighing
This is one of the most precise evaluations of body composition. This involves measuring your lung volume by spirometry, followed by submerging yourself in a water tank of 98-102° F while exhaling air until only your residual volume remains in your lungs.
This is repeated with 8-10 trials until you achieve consistency. If you adhere to the protocol the accuracy is within 1% of your true body composition. The results of this 30-40 minute procedure provide the following:
- fat mass content
- lean body mass content
- percentage of fat
- total body mass
- a target body composition to achieve optimal health and/or performance
![Hydrostatic Weighing](https://www.adelphi.edu/education/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/hydrostatic-weighing-1024x681.jpg)
Submerging in this pool allows for precise measurements of body composition.
Pricing
Test or Analysis | Cost |
---|---|
Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency | $250 |
Double Maximal Oxygen Consumption Test (Max VO2) with Efficiency (THE BRICK) | $385 |
Resting Metabolic Rate | $115 |
Body Composition Evaluation: Hydrostatic Weighing | $100 |
Hands-On Experience for Adelphi Students
As a health science student at Adelphi University, you’re not just a learner; you’re an active participant in real-world experiences. Explore student opportunities at the Human Performance Lab to engage with experts in exercise physiology and physical therapy.
![](https://www.adelphi.edu/education/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Exercise-Science-Program-215-1440x617.jpg)
Unleash Your Peak Performance
Contact Our Coordinators
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Contact
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516.877.4258
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Woodruff Hall 068
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Contact
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516.877.4258
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Woodruff Hall 68A
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Contact
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516.877.4258
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Woodruff Hall 084
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Contact
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516.877.4258
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Woodruff Hall 068