Affiliate Research Labs

CWHW collaborates with multiple research laboratories across campus to understand the facilitators and barriers that influence injury, illness and disease processes, and that promote mental and physical well‐being in girls and women.

Research laboratories we are currently collaborating with are listed below:

• The Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory (ANRL)
• The Exercise and Endocrinology Laboratory (E2)
• The Human Nutrition Research Laboratories
• The Physical Activity and Lifetime Wellness Laboratory (PALW)

We look forward to adding to our list of affiliates as we expand our research and collaborations over the next 3-5 years. Please contact us if your laboratory has an interest in affiliating with the Center.

CURRENT RESEARCH LABORATORIES

APPLIED NEUROMECHANICS RESEARCH LABORATORY (ANRL)

The Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory (ANRL) focuses on understanding risk factors for lower extremity injury and joint disease, particularly those associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the female athlete. The mission of the ANRL is to promote clinically driven research and quality education that bridges scientific inquiry and clinical practice to reduce injury risk. This is accomplished through an interdisciplinary approach to research and education that attracts and integrates students, faculty, and clinicians from diverse professional backgrounds, experiences and scientific perspectives. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation to assess human muscle performance (e.g., muscle strength and power), anthropometrics (joint structure and alignment), joint laxity, balance, and biomechanics.

The lab is located adjacent to a research gymnasium for assessment under more field-based exercise simulations. Research focused on ACL injury risk in women has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, National Football League Medical Charities, the NCBC Biotechnology Center, and the National Athletic Trainers Association. CWHW Director, Dr. Sandy Shultz is the Co-Director of the ANRL.

EXERCISE AND ENDOCRINOLOGY LABORATORY (E2 LAB)

The Exercise and Endocrinology Laboratory (E2) focuses on the impact of either acute exercise or chronic training, disease or injury on the endocrine system. The endocrine system is complex and encompasses several major hormonal axes that influence the physiological function of a myriad of tissues. Since the synchrony of these systems is vital for understanding the pathology of disease, our lab is interested in the analysis of hormonal profiles and the potential utility of heart rate variability as a non-invasive indicator of endocrine influence.

The E2 lab is also interested in cardiometabolic risk factor development across the lifespan, especially during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. During this time frame two major life changes usually occur; the adolescent leaves home and also begins the transition to full time work. These transitions represent increasing independence for young adults and are critical times for the development of lifelong patterns of health behaviors, such as sleep, exercise and diet. We are interested in understanding the influence of early childhood self-regulation on the development of cardiometabolic risk and health behaviors during this crucial transition period. Dr. Laurie Wideman, a member of the CWHW Advisory team, serves as the director of the laboratory.

HUMAN NUTRITION (NTR) RESEARCH LABORATORIES

The Human Nutrition Research Laboratories in the Department of Nutrition (NTR) include anthropometric equipment available for field research, exercise testing equipment, a phlebotomy and anthropometric measurement room, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DEXA) bone density unit, and Nutrition Data System for Research software which is the gold standard for dietary intake analysis. The laboratory is utilized by Dr. Shriver, a member of the CWHW Core Advisory Team, and collaborator on the Healthy Girl’s Initiative.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LIFETIME WELLNESS LABORATORY (PALW)

The Physical Activity and Lifetime Wellness Laboratory (PALW) focuses on understanding and promoting lifetime physical activity, health, and well-being across the lifespan.

Ongoing research projects investigate the psychosocial factors underlying health behaviors with an emphasis on translating research into practice to foster meaningful behavior change. CWHW Faculty Fellow, Dr. Jackie Maher is a Co-Director of the PALW.