Pediatric Exercise Physiology Lab

Mission/Goals:

The University of Kentucky Pediatric Exercise Physiology Lab (PEP-Lab) will help to provide research and training resources specifically designed to assist in hypothesis driven research in pediatric populations. The primary mission of the PEP-Lab will include (but is not limited to) investigating the role of physical activity, alone or in combination with additional intervention strategies, in the prevention of adverse physiological changes or the favorable alteration in metabolic, endocrine, and body composition parameters. As a direct result of decreasing physical activity, childhood and adolescent obesity, Type II diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, early maturation and orthopedic problems have significantly increased. The PEP- Lab will provide a state of the art facility and resources for testing, physical training, and analysis of pediatric populations for research and clinical investigations.

General Description:

The University of Kentucky Pediatric Exercise Physiology Lab (PEP Lab) located in the Seaton Center building (Director: Jody L. Clasey, Ph.D., FCSM; Medical Director: Michelle Grenier, M.D.) is a human based laboratory facility specifically designed to provide state of the art testing, physical training, and analysis of pediatric populations for research clinical investigations. The PEP-Lab is housed in three separate laboratory spaces (700 square feet each) housed in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. The PEP-Lab contains the necessary equipment to perform graded exercise testing, acute stimulatory bouts, and longitudinal training using treadmill, bicycle, and arm crank ergometers. Metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular responses may be measured and monitored using an available metabolic cart, 12 lead ECG monitor, and a glucose and lactate analyzer. In addition, two complete series/sets of pediatric resistance training equipment are available for testing and training of muscular strength and endurance. Other: The PEP-Lab will collaboratively work with the University of Kentucky Body Composition Core Laboratory located in the Seaton Center Building.