■ Driving Simulation Laboratory

Director: Abiodun E. Akinwuntan, Ph.D.

Capabilities and Resources: The Driving Simulation Laboratory is outfitted evaluate driving performance (i.e., measures of lane tracking, reaction time, hazard perception and executive function) and to develop training programs to improve driving performance of healthy individuals and those who have experienced impairments associated with stroke or other central nervous system conditions. The laboratory comprises a simulation room (440 sq ft.), a data collection room (180 sq. ft.) and a debriefing room (170 sq. ft.). Equipment includes a STISIM Drive Interactive Driving Simulator Model 300, a full-bodied car with all its operational parts, and a projection screen.

■ Human Movement Science Laboratory

Director: Raymond Chong, Ph.D.

Capabilities and Resources: The Human Movement Science Laboratory is equipped to study automatic and voluntary motor coordination and adaptations using established and novel experimental paradigms such as surface perturbations, treadmill locomotion, forward fall, obstacle crossing and optical prism adaptation. Human models include healthy young and older individuals and those with neurologic conditions such as Parkinson's disease. The laboratory occupies approximately 1400 square feet (10m x 14m) of air-conditioned space within the Health Sciences Building  (EC-1515). Equipment includes a 3-D 6-camera PEAK Motus automatic acquisition software and hardware motion capture systems (Vicon, CO) for recording and analyzing motor activities; DataPac 2K2 (RUN Technologies, CA) software for acquiring, processing and analyzing analog signals; MyoPac 16-channel telemetric surface electromyographic system (RUN Technologies, CA) for recording muscle activities; Biodex body-support system and Smart Equitest software and hardware with long forceplate and EMG options (NeuroCom International Inc., OR) for computerized assessments of balance and movement disorders.

■ Cardiovascular Health and Wellness Laboratory

Director: Miriam Cortez-Cooper, PT, Ph.D.

Capabilities and Resources: The Cardiovascular Health and Wellness Laboratory is equipped to examine hemodynamic and vascular responses to exercise, behavioral and pharmacological interventions. The laboratory's research activities are directed at maximizing physical function in people with, or at risk for, cardiovascular disease.  Muscle blood flow is measured by Doppler ultrasound (Phillips, Envisor) and venous occlusion plethysmography (Hokanson, EC6).  Central arterial stiffness, an emerging “early” marker of cardiovascular disease is measured with two-dimensional ultrasound to image the arterial walls and a tonometer (Millar, SPT-301)  to measure central arterial pressure.  Pulse wave velocity, another technique used to measure arterial stiffness, can be measured in central (aorta) or peripheral conduit arteries with portable Doppler units (Parks Medical) interfaced with a Powerlab (ADInstruments).  Brachial artery flow mediated dilation (Hokanson, E20 Rapid Cuff Inflator) and carotid vasoreactivity are two other tests used in the laboratory to assess endothelial function.  A Finometer is also available to measure beat-by-beat blood pressure.  Other equipment includes ambulatory blood pressure monitors (SpaceLabs) and an oscillometric blood pressure machine (GE, ProCare 100).