Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory Performance Health Analysis

Body composition is the breakdown of a person’s total body mass and can be broken down into three general categories: fat, bone and muscle mass. Knowing your body composition is important because it provides valuable insights into your overall health, helps you set and track fitness goals, and guides you in making informed decisions about diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. Body composition is an important indicator of health as excessive fat mass is linked to many chronic diseases and can be harmful to your health.

Bod Pod Scan – $65

A Bod Pod scan is a noninvasive body composition measurement which uses air displacement plethysmography to determine fat mass and fat free mass. Fat mass consists of all the adipose tissue (fat) within your body while fat free mass consists of bone, bodily fluids, organs and skeletal muscle.

Protocol Description:

• You will be asked to sit comfortably inside the Bod Pod and breathe into a breathing tube.
• Special clothing is necessary. We ask that you come in minimal, tight spandex based clothing. We recommend sports bras, compression shorts, and/or tightly fitted swim suits. You will be given a swim cap to wear during the assessment.
• It is required that you come fasted from food and liquids except for water for 4 hours prior to your appointment.
• Appointments are 30 minutes with approximately 10 minutes spent in the Bod Pod.
• Results will be available immediately

Data Generated: Fat mass, fat-free mass

DEXA Scan – $200

A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA scan is the gold standard test for measuring body composition. Using low-dose x-rays, body fat, muscle and bone mass are measured. No information about bone mineral density is provided from this test.

Protocol Description:

• You will be asked to lie down on a table while a machine passes low-dose x-rays through your body.
• Any metal objects, such as jewelry or zippers, must be removed before the test to ensure accurate results. Scrubs can be provided upon request.
• Appointments are 30 minutes with approximately 10 minutes spent on the DEXA table.
• Results will be available immediately and a technician will review them with you.

Data Generated: fat mass, muscle mass, bone mass, ratios of tissue distribution throughout the body

Resting Metabolic Rate – $200

A person’s Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) is the amount of calories utilized at rest. RMR is measured through indirect calorimetry, a technique that involves measuring expired gasses through a ventilated hood. After expired gasses are collected, our equipment will analyze how much oxygen has been consumed and calculate the amount of heat produced. RMR accounts for approximately 70% of a person’s total calories burned in a single day. This metric includes the energy it takes to complete basic functions in the body such as breathing, brain function, and heartbeat. Factors that can influence RMR include but are not limited to age, body composition, biological sex, hormone levels, and genetics.

Protocol Description

• You will be asked to comfortably lay down on a bed with a ventilated hood over your head.
• We ask that you abstain from alcohol and vigorous exercise for 24 prior to your assessment, and fast from all food and drink other than water 12 hours prior to your assessment.
• During the test a technician will remain in the room to ensure that you minimize movement and do not fall asleep.
• Appointments last 60 minutes with 45 minutes spent laying under the ventilated hood.

Data Generated: Total daily calories burned at rest

VO₂ MAX – $250

VO₂ max, or maximal oxygen consumption is a measure of the maximum amount of oxygen that can be utilized during exercise. Oxygen consumption is measured using indirect calorimetry, a technique that involves measuring all expired gasses during an exercise session. The more oxygen that a person can utilize, the more energy they can produce. This is the gold standard test for measuring maximal oxygen consumption, and is an indicator of aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health. This test provides valuable information not only to athletes but anyone who would like to assess their cardiovascular wellness.

Protocol Description:

• You may choose to complete this test on a treadmill or stationary bike.
• The test will begin at a low intensity and every 1-2 minutes the intensity will increase in speed or grade until exhaustion. You will be asked to wear a mouth piece and nose clip which will measure and analyze expired gasses as you exercise. Heart rate will be continuously monitored using a Polar chest strap.
• Each test protocol will be tailored to match your current fitness level, ensuring the data generated is accurate.
• Appointments last 60 minutes with 10-25 minutes of exercise.
• Your raw VO₂max data will be available immediately after your test, and a summary of your test results will be sent to you within 10 days of your appointment.

Data Generated: VO₂max, maximal heart rate

Lactate Threshold Testing – $250

Lactate Threshold is commonly defined as the point at which lactate levels begin to dramatically increase in the bloodstream. Lactate threshold is a good predictor of endurance efficiency, which is the exercise intensity that can be maintained over a prolonged period of time without fatigue. During exercise lactate levels increase in the blood stream because it is a byproduct of exercise. Increased lactate levels lead to exercise related fatigue. Trained athletes tend to have high lactate thresholds because their bodies have become efficient at clearing lactate resulting in the ability to maintain higher intensities for longer periods of time. Effective training can lead to an increased lactate threshold for any aerobic activities. This test is beneficial to regular exercisers or athletes who are looking for guidance in there training

Protocol Description:

• You may choose to complete this test on a treadmill or stationary bike. We can also perform the test on your personal bike connected to a Wahoo Kickr if compatible.
• You will perform an incremental exercise test and run at various sub-maximal paces or cycle at various power outputs. The intensity will increase in periods of 3 or 4 minute stages and blood samples will be taken at the end of each stage.
• Lactate is measured during the test by collecting small amounts of blood via an earlobe or finger prick.
• Appointments last 60 minutes with 30-45 minutes spent exercising.

Data Generated: Lactate threshold, heart rate at lactate threshold

Training Zone Determination – $500

This is an advanced test measuring your blood lactate and oxygen consumption to determine your six physiologic training zones.  You can build a training program around these training zones to maximize results and decrease the risk of overtraining. This may be particularly helpful if you want to establish “Zone 2” training or to follow a more polarized training regimen.

Protocol Description:

• You may choose to complete this test on a treadmill or stationary bike. We can also perform the test on your personal bike connected to a Wahoo Kickr if compatible.
• You will be asked to run at various sub-maximal paces or cycle at various power outputs. You will continue to move through stages increasing in speed or resistance until you cannot continue any further.
• Expired gasses are collected during exercise through a mouthpiece and analyzed
• Heart rate is measured continuously.
• Lactate is measured by collecting small amounts of blood via an earlobe prick at the end of each stage.
• Appointments last 90 minutes with 30-60 minutes exercise.

Data Generated: Lactate threshold, heart rate at lactate threshold, VO₂max, maximal heart rate, training zones

• Aerobic Capacity or “VO2max” refers to the body’s maximal oxygen uptake. An individual’s VO2max is a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness reflecting the body’s ability to use oxygen while engaging in strenuous activity.
• VO2Max is determined by measuring gas exchange while exercising at increasing intensity until an individual reaches volitional exhaustion (cannot exercise further). VO2max is expressed in milliliters of oxygen consumed in a minute and is then adjusted for an individual’s body weight in kilograms ml/kg/min
• Factors influencing VO2max include age, gender, genetics, body composition, and training status.

Lactate is a metabolic byproduct produced during glucose metabolism that acts as a fuel source during exercise.

• Lactate threshold (anaerobic threshold) refers to an intensity of exercise where blood lactate accumulation is greater than lactate removal. 
• Lactate threshold can be used to create a training program. With training, an individual can increase their lactate threshold allowing them to tolerate higher intensity activity over longer durations.

You will receive your test results within two weeks from your test date in an easy to read report. Some data points such as body composition or VO2Max can be provided immediately after test completion. Our team is happy to schedule a phone call or follow up consultation to review your results with you.

Our facility is located on the Northwest side of CSU’s campus at 910 Moby Drive. We are directly east of Moby arena with an entrance facing the CSU softball and intramural fields.

NO. While endurance athletes frequently take advantage of our performance health analysis program, we are open to community members of all ages and activity levels. We specialize our testing protocols based on an individual’s goals and physical activity background to ensure a safe testing experience.

Yes, a member from our team will provide you with a parking pass upon arrival to our facility.