Human Physiology Lab: Faculty Research

Increasing the Rate of Expired Ventilation Through Exercise to Reduce Carboxyhemoglobin Levels in Blood

The purpose of this study is to show that increasing your breathing rate by exercising can increase the rate at which your body can eliminate carbon monoxide from your blood. This will be compared to how fast your body can get rid of carbon monoxide when you are resting.

Each participant will be required to undergo 5 testing visits. The first visit will consist of an aerobic fitness test and pulmonary function testing. Visit 2 will be the rest visit. The remaining 3 visits will consist of steady state exercise efforts at each of 3 intensities. The exercise level will be randomly assigned for each visit. During the steady state exercise and rest visit, participants will be exposed to carbon monoxide to raise the blood level to about 12%. Carbon monoxide levels will them be frequently tested to determine how fast it is eliminated from the body. The Carbon monoxide levels will be monitored closely with a pulse CO-Oximeter that uses a sensor placed on the finger, and by drawing blood samples.

Gerald S. Zavorsky PhD
Director, Human Physiology Lab; Associate Professor
zavorsky@marywood.edu

Status: Completed

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The Effects of Pre-Surgical Exercise and Weight Loss on Lung Function, Fitness and Surgical Complications in Morbidly Obese Subjects.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a structured, 6 week interval training program on heart and lung function, and recovery following laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Eligible participants must be scheduled for surgery and willing to come to the Human Physiology lab for scheduled testing and exercise visits. A total of 5 testing visits will be required beginning about 8 weeks before surgery, and following through until 12 months after. Subjects will be randomly assigned to either the exercise group, or a non-exercising control group.

Gerald S. Zavorsky PhD
Director, Human Physiology Lab; Associate Professor
zavorsky@marywood.edu

Status: Not Yet Enrolling

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Incidence of Pulmonary Edema Triggered by Marathon Runing

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of pulmonary edema triggered in marathon runners with various finishing times and fitness levels.

Twenty- four volunteers will be recruited from pre- registered entrants scheduled to run the Steamtown Marathon on October 9, 2011. Participants will complete three testing sessions. Pre-race testing will be complete at the HPL within the two weeks prior to the race. This will include an aerobic fitness test (VO₂), pulmonary function testing, and a body composition test. Baseline chest x-rays and lung ultrasound measurements will be obtained at the pre-race expo one day before the race.  Final data collection will be completed at the finish line. Chest x-rays and lung ultrasound measurements will be done at 10, 45 and 90 minutes after finishing, based on each individual time. X-ray and ultrasound images will be evaluated by three experienced Radiologists in a blinded fashion.

Gerald S. Zavorsky Ph.D.
Driector, Human Physiology Lab; Associate Professor
zavorsky@marywood.edu

Status: Completed

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The Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Measurements of Health and Human Performance.

The purpose of this study is to find out how taking a supplement made from grapes affects mental and physical health. Many different chemicals found in grape skin have been found to be good for health, having positive effects on the heart and muscles. This study will help determine how much nutritional supplements made from grapes can improve memory, body composition, and blood profile.

Subjects will be required to come to the Human Physiology Lab for two testing visits, 4 weeks apart. Fasting blood samples will be drawn at each visit. Each participant will undergo cognitive testing using a computer based test, a DEXA scan to measure body composition, and an ultrasound of on artery in the arm to measure vascular response to stress at each testing visit. Participants will be required to take a supplement or a placebo daily for the 4 week period between testing visits. Treatment groups will be randomly assigned.

Dr. James Smoliga
Associate Professor, Dept. of Health and Physical Education
jsmoliga@marywood.edu

Status: Completed

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