SPEED Lab – Education

Force and Power in Athletic Movements

Equipment: VALD force plates & dynamometry

Measure force output and analyze ground reaction forces in exercises like jumping, sprinting, and change of direction to assess power and explosiveness.

• Countermovement Jump Lab
• Impulse and Asymmetry Analysis of Countermovement Jump
• Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull
• Force Frame – Calf Raise
• Push-up Lab
• Length-Tension Relationship of Muscle Contraction Lab
• Grip Strength Lab  ·  video  ·  reading: Zheng et al. (2021)
• Horizontal Broad Jump Lab

Kinematic Analysis of Sprinting

Equipment: timing gates

Measure and analyze sprinting performance using timing gates to determine key metrics such as max velocity, average velocity, and acceleration.

• Sprint Lab

Kinematic Analysis of Balance

Equipment: HumanTrak

Understand factors that influence balance.

• Dizzy Bats  ·  video

Muscle Activation Patterns

Equipment: Cometa and Delsys electromyography systems

Examine muscle activation during exercises (squats, lunges) or sport-specific skills (cycling, running) to understand recruitment patterns.

Aerobic Capacity & Endurance Testing

Equipment: Cosmed K5 portable VO₂

Conduct VO₂ max assessments in outdoor or field settings to analyze cardiovascular fitness in real-world conditions — especially beneficial for cycling and running.

• VO₂max Lab
• HR–VO₂ Relationship

Insole Pressure Mapping

Equipment: Loadsol insole pressure sensors

Measure foot pressure distribution and analyze gait mechanics during walking, running, or jumping to assess injury risk and movement efficiency.

Portable Motion Capture

Equipment: 4D IMU system; Theia markerless 3D motion capture

Perform 3D motion analysis in real time to study movement mechanics in a variety of settings, from sports drills to rehabilitation exercises.

Body Composition & Health Assessment

Equipment: InBody and SECA bioelectrical impedance analysis systems

Measure body composition, including body fat percentage, muscle mass, and hydration status.