Human Performance Laboratory

The Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) is a purpose-built state-of-the art teaching and research facility, which contains an extensive range of biomechanical and physiological equipment.

The HPL is primarily used for sport science research and teaching, however also covers a wide-range of sciences such as physiotherapy, podiatry and prosthetics & orthotics.

Teaching in the HPL includes BSc (Hons) Sports Science, BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation, BSc (Hons) Exercise, Physical Activity and Health, MSc Strength and Conditioning, MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation, MSc Trauma & Orthopaedics and MSc Advancing Physiotherapy.

The HPL contains the latest equipment for sport science, including:

Biomechanics

• 10 Qualisys ProReflex cameras which provide three-dimensional motion capture of a variety of activities including running gait, walking gait and the triple jump. Also a Qualisys Oqus 6 camera set-up for three-dimensional motion capture of activities such as weight lifting and squash. These systems are used with 9 AMTI force plates built into the HPL floor to provide ground reaction forces
• A portable Kistler force plate to measure ground reaction forces, balance and proprioception
• Two portable ultrasound scanners used to study skeletal muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Five Casio Exilim EX-F1 cameras, which provide high-speed filming
• Three surface electromyography (EMG) systems, including both wired and wireless systems, used to measure muscle activity. The EMG systems are 2, 6 and 8 channel systems
• A Fitness Technology Ballistic Measurement System with an integrated one-direction force plate and displacement transducer to test various aspects of weight lifting and power
• KinCom and Biodex isokinetic dynamometers, for rehabilitation, strength testing and injury diagnostics
• Brower Timing Gate Systems which are regularly used on a 25 metre running track to test speed and agility of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Sale Sharks and Salford City Reds as part of our partnerships
• A Wattbike to provide various measurements within cycling such as, power and left and right leg power contributions.
  

Physiology

• Portable and static online gas analysis systems for breath-by-breath cardiopulmonary exercise testing, including VO2 max tests
• Wingate cycle ergometers to test anaerobic capacity and power
• A Lode Cycle Ergometer to provide isokinetic testing conditions within cycling
• An Analox G37 Multi-Assay Blood Analyser to study blood lactate concentration. We also have a range of field based Lactate Pro analysers, which have been used to test professional athletes as part of our partnerships
• We also have a range of other testing equipment including Polar heart monitors, blood pressure monitors, hand grip dynamometers and a range of body composition equipment including Harpenden skinfold callipers, bio-electrical impedance analysers and a Bodymetrix system which incorporates ultrasound technology.
  

The Human Performance Laboratory also houses a BATAK Lite reaction timer for psychological testing and CompEat nutritional analysis software.

If you are a school or college who have a range of sports science students wanting to attend a sport specific day at the University of Salford, contact Chris Bamber to arrange a visit of our Human Performance Laboratory and Strength and Conditioning Suite.

If you are interested in finding out about your own fitness levels and body composition we offer a range of testing in the HPL through the Salford University Consultancy Combining Exercise and Sports Sciences (SUCCESS). Also, if you have an injury or ongoing chronic problem we offer a full range of rehabilitation services in both the Sports Injury Clinic and Podiatry Clinic.