Leading NJ Exercise Science Program Provides Students with Hands-On Research Opportunities at Human Performance Lab

    EWING, NJ, December 22, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Students in the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science (SNHES) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) are getting hands-on experience researching physical fitness best practices at the school's Human Performance Lab.

"Currently, we are examining the effects of different warm-up protocols on maximal aerobic power in children (8-12 years old). In short, a warm-up is an important component of any exercise session or sport competition because the design can confer numerous benefits and enhance performance," says Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Avery Faigenbaum. "As a majority of our students go on to graduate schools, their participation in research can also benefit their future academic pursuits."

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends children ages 6 to 17 years old have at least 60 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis.

A student working on this project, Caitlyn Finnerty, Class of 2022, says, "…we are in the process of assembling our motion analysis system that is commonly used for biomechanics research. This system is a great tool that we use to assess any mechanical advantages or discrepancies in the body when performing exercises …Understanding the importance of exercise science research is crucial, but performing the research techniques as undergraduate students enables us to be more equipped and qualified for greater health conversations."

Describing the benefits of the Human Performance Lab for students, Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Jie Kang explains, "Students assist faculty-led research in many ways, including screening subjects, calibrating equipment, supervising the warm-up protocol, operating VO2max tests and performing data analysis. These research skills are essential for conducting human subject experimentation. By participating in research in the Human Performance Lab, students gain the necessary experience that will help them get into graduate schools and lead successful careers."

Founded in 2000, the Human Performance Lab has been a setting for numerous successful studies on physiology, fitness routines and exercise best practices.

TCNJ's School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science Dean Carole Kenner remarks, "The Human Performance Lab is unique to our school and offers students tangible experiences for real world application. This is another example of how our faculty not only teach but also prepare students to be successful."

TCNJ's School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science, and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes.

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