The Department of Exercise Science (EXSC) is one of the leading exercise science programs in the country. The Department’s Ph.D. program is currently ranked #4 in the country by the National Academy of Kinesiology. Currently, more than 275 graduate and professional students and approximately 1,000 undergraduate students are enrolled in the Department’s programs in exercise science, applied physiology, motor development, physical therapy, and athletic training. The Department is housed primarily in the Arnold School’s 104,000 sq. ft. LEED-certified Public Health Research Center. Its facilities and research groups include:

The Arnold Healthy Kids Initiative (AHKI) Research Group conducts research on understanding, monitoring, and addressing childhood obesity. AHKI staff includes program managers, graduate students, and data collectors who work with faculty to conduct research on children’s obesogenic behaviors. AHKI also has equipment, including more than 800 Actigraph Link accelerometers, more than 800 Axivity AX3 and 300 BTGT3X+ accelerometers, 500 Fitbit devices, pedometers, BIA scales, stadiometers, handheld computers, and laptop computers, that its investigators use to study physical activity, obesity, sleep, and related topics in children and youth. The AHKI also has advanced computing capacity designed specifically to process large volumes of data from wearable monitors. The system is used exclusively by the AHKI team for processing large data streams. The system includes dual Intel® Xeon® Gold 5217 processors with 3.00 GHz, 3 (3.70 GHz Turbo) for a total of 16 cores of processing power.

The Concussion and Health Neuroscience Lab (CHNL) is a state-of-the-art research facility investigating in the intersection of neurological health and human performance. The lab utilizes augmented and virtual reality assessment environments, as well as measures of psychophysiological function (e.g., electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and eye tracking) to systematically investigate psycho-motor performance in sport and tactical athletes. We utilize novel and ecologically valid assessment paradigms to evaluate neurological performance in situations that mimic challenges and stressors (mental and/or physical) experienced in everyday life. In our studies, we employ concurrent measure brain (EEG, ERPs) and cardio-autonomic function (heart rate variability) during periods of stress and recovery to evaluate an individual’s neurological responses to changing demands. Our lab has been at the forefront in using these techniques to identify individuals with persisting symptoms following brain injury (e.g., concussion). Furthermore, we have used these techniques to test and validate novel therapies aimed at improving neurological health. 

The Sport Science Laboratory is a state-of-the art research, fitness testing, and training facility that utilizes the latest science to improve health and performance. The 3000 sq ft lab consists of fully-outfitted space for exercise and training interventions as well as extensive human performance testing capabilities. The lab conducts frequent psychological and physiological assessments in athletes, tactical populations, the general population, and special populations to monitor responses to stress, exercise, training, and nutrition. These assessments include biochemical and endocrinological status (blood biomarkers); non-fatiguing health and performance tests (body composition through BOD POD and ultrasound, resting metabolic rate, countermovement jump, cognitive and spatial reaction time, power output during training); physical reaction and movement testing; and maximal performance tests (oxygen consumption, Wingate anaerobic test, 1 and Repetition Maximum strength). The lab has been recognized for its work with female athletes and military populations as well as its expertise in various monitoring strategies and tools.