Newswise — Loyola University Chicago will unveil its new exercise science lab with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 on the 11th floor of BVM Hall located on the Lake Shore Campus, 6364 N. Sheridan Rd.
This state-of-the-art facility overlooks Lake Michigan and has both a classroom for traditional instruction and a lab area. The lab includes treadmills, exercise bikes and a metabolic cart, which assesses the body’s physiological response to exercise. This device measures oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (CO2) at rest and during exercise. At rest, the metabolic cart can measure resting energy expenditure (REE), which allows for the precise calculation of energy expenditure. The cart can also measure energy expenditure during exercise as well as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), the gold standard measure of aerobic work capacity. The data obtained can be useful to both clinical stress-testing assessments and endurance exercise performance evaluations.
“The lab offers students the latest in exercise science technology along with greater space and flexibility,” said Stephanie Wilson, MPT, director of Loyola’s Exercise Science program. “The lab also will serve as a center for research in exercise science.”
Loyola’s bachelor’s degree in exercise science prepares students for careers in health and exercise-related fields. Through coursework and hands-on experience, students develop skills in assessing health behaviors and risk factors, conducting fitness evaluations, writing appropriate exercise prescriptions and motivating individuals to adopt positive lifestyle behaviors for optimal health. Students also receive education on the assessment, design and implementation of individual and group exercise and fitness programs for both healthy individuals and those with controlled disease.
“Exercise science programs will become increasingly important to improve the health of our population,” Wilson said. “Resources such as Loyola’s exercise science lab will be integral to educate students to help prevent disease and disability.”
Reporters interested in touring the facility or in testing the exercise-science equipment may call Nora Dudley at 708.216.6268.
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