Physical Therapy Institute for Human Health and Sports Science Research

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The Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory (HBAPL)

INTRODUCTION AND THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND SPORTS SCIENCE RESEARCH (H2S2)

The Institute for Human Health and Sports Science (H2S2), housed in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, is the first interdisciplinary institute at High Point University. Home to all of the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy, the Institute is also a virtual home to faculty and clinicians from multiple disciplines around the university, the state, the nation, and the globe! These experts are dedicated to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and the improved performance of active people. The combination of these experts from multiple disciplines, the physical space, and the equipment make the Institute and the Lab unlike any other.

Esteemed Faculty

Kind, caring, collaborative, and dedicated, the faculty of the Lab and Institue invite you to learn a little more about each of us by clicking on the “Researchers” tab below.

Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory

The Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory consists of 13,500 square feet of awe-inspiring research, teaching, and clinical space. Although the area is specifically designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, a presentation of the space is simplified when thinking about components of the lab. The centerpiece of the lab is our biomechanics area. This biomechanics area consists of a large, open space surrounded by 24 motion capture cameras and featuring 3 force plates and an instrumented treadmill. In addition, the biomechanics area boasts truly unique functional motion capture areas with a golf simulator, turf, and court surface.

In addition to the biomechanics area, the physiology component of the lab is equally impressive. The physiology space is highlighted by the environmental chamber which allows researchers to reproduce extreme conditions in temperature (above 100  degrees F and below freezing), humidity (up to 95%), and elevation (up to 15,000 ft above sea level). Physiology also has a wet lab, some of the most unique treadmills in the world, metabolic carts, a wireless EMG for tracking muscle activity, and a DEXA scanner, the most accurate way to perform body fat analysis.

Last but never least, the clinical component provides clients of Targeted Enhanced Athletic Movement (TEAM) and H2S2 research subjects with access to private and semi-private treatment areas and a strength and conditioning area that concentrates on fun and unique ways to prevent injury, improve performance, or rehabilitate from injury.

Cutting Edge Technology

The term “state-of-the-art” does not quite do our equipment justice. here is a brief list of some of the equipment available to faculty, students, and collaborators of H2S2:

  • Student learning hub with over a dozen integrated computer workstations and study tables for collaborative, experiential learning
  • Custom built Darwin environmental chamber Colorado Altitude modifications
  • Motion Analysis Corporation’s 24-camera, 3D motion capture system
  • Novel Pedar-X insole pressure measurement system
  • 3 AMTI floor-mounted Force Plates
  • AMTI force-plate instrumented tandem belt treadmill
  • Humac NORM Isokinetic Dynamometer
  • High Definition Golf Simulator with video and forceplate analysis
  • Hologic Discovery W DEXA Scanner
  • Viasys VMax Encore Metabolic Cart and Pulmonary Function Testing System with Canopy, Pulse Oximeter, ECG, and Cycle Ergometer
  • Viasys Oxycon Mobile Metabolic Cart
  • High-resolution ECG Holter monitoring system
  • Artenis Wireless Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System with 4 probes
  • BTS Bioengineering 16-channel wireless EMG system with 4 electrogoniometers, 4 accelerometers, 2 foot switches, analog-to-digital conversion board, wireless charging station, and dynamometer interface
  • 3 Woodway treadmills including 1 ELG, 1 Curve, and one Modified Desmo for the the environmental chamber
  • Alter-G P200 gravity-altering treadmill with Woodway Desmo base
  • Keiser pneumatic resistance Power Rack and Runner
  • TRX body weight training system

For additional information detailing the researchers within the Institute for Human Health and Sports Science Research, please click on the researchers name below.

FACULTY

Kevin R. Ford PhD, FACSM- Director of the Institute for Human Health and Sports Science Research, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
kford@highpoint.edu

James M. Smoliga DVM, PhD- Associate Director of Institute for Human Health and Sports Science Research,  Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
jsmoliga@highpoint.edu.

Eric J. Hegedus PT, DPT, MHSc, OCS- Professor and Founding Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
ehegedus@highpoint.edu

Anh-Dung “Yum” Nguyen PhD, ATC- Assistant Professor, Department of Athletic Training, School of Health Sciences
email: anguyen@highpoint.edu

Dan Tarara MS, ATC, LAT – Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences
email: dtarara@highpoint.edu

Jeffrey Taylor PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS- Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
jtaylor@highpoint.edu

Alexis A. Wright PT, PhD, DPT, FAAOMPT- Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences
email: awright@highpoint.edu

We are involved in a variety of impactful, interdisciplinary scientific studies. We are dedicated to injury prevention, rehabilitation and the improved performance of active individuals. For detailed descriptions of our research, including our active projects, please select ‘ongoing research’ below

Ongoing Research