The Exercise Physiology Lab is one of The University of New Mexico’s very own hidden gems serving as a teaching, research and clinical facility for students, staff, faculty and individuals in the community across the state.
Housed within UNM’s College of Education and Human Sciences, and located in Johnson Center, the labs are equipped to test all aspects of physical fitness and performance including cardiovascular endurance, pulmonary function, muscular strength and endurance, body composition, flexibility, and blood hormone, lipid and enzyme profiles.
Students enrolled in various programs, mostly related to exercise science, but can also include the School of Medicine, nutrition and biology access the lab to get hands-on experience using equipment from blood pressure measurements to muscle biopsy and analysis. Other programs across campus in need of equipment and expertise often partner with lab faculty and students during collaborative research projects.
“Exercise Science as a field has evolved from a purely applied field to one that requires expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology, along with the more applied applications,” said Dr. Christine Mermier, UNM Exercise Physiology Lab director. “One of the most important parts of my work as a faculty member and lab director is working closely with and training the students to be able to develop and carry out their thesis/dissertation studies. It gives me great satisfaction to watch students graduate and go off into successful careers.”
The Exercise Physiology Lab also offers community physiological testing, interpretation and the opportunity to build exercise programs unique to their individual needs. Testing includes assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, body composition, flexibility and blood testing.
Pre-pandemic the Exercise Physiology Lab averaged the following (people/year):
- 1,600 hours of student interaction
- 550 hours of research: 5 faculty, 15 graduate students
- 180 Employee tests
- 300 Community tests