Projects
Staff
- A/Prof Chris Barclay: Skeletal and cardiac muscle energy use.
- A/Prof Belinda Beck: Physiology of bone loading, radiological grading.
- Dr Glen Lichtwark: Muscle modelling and energy uses.
- Dr Clare Minahan: High intensity training, gender differences.
- Dr Benjamin Weeks: Osteoporosis interventions, exercise-induced bone loading.
Laboratory facilities
The school uses a range of equipment to investigate the physiology of muscle and bone. The muscle energetics laboratory measures heat output from muscles using custom built thermopiles (a very sensitive thermometer) to determine the amount of energy used during contraction. Researchers studying the effects of physical activity on bone growth utilise DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) to examine bone mineral density and body composition. Portable devices that can measure bone density through ultrasound are also used by staff when conducting research off-campus.