Director Zsolt Murlasits PH.D., CSCS (2009/1994)

Body Composition and Bone Densitometry Technician

Jacob Reed, B.A. (Certified Bone Densitometry Equipment Operator)

Missions

To provide an array of technologies to enhance our understanding of the relationship between body composition (body fat & lean tissue components) and various measures of performance, health, and training. To develop and evaluate various protocols for measuring localized and total body composition as well as bone density.

Projects

Previous projects involved the development of procedures for quantifying skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat thicknesses using diagnostic ultrasound with the intent of monitoring change in those variables consequent to various interventions. DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) technology is currently being used in this lab to monitor bone density and total body composition in populations that are apparently healthy as well as for those having a specific neuromuscular disorder. We are currently seeking funds to acquire one of the new generation, higher resolution diagnostic ultrasound machines to quantify body fat and cross-sectional (instead of thickness) changes in skeletal muscle. This will enable us to monitor localized morphologic changes consequent to disease as well as exercise and nutritional interventions. We are also seeking funds to investigate the validity of utilizing surface landmarks and goniometry for assessing Q-angle (quadriceps angle). Excessive Q-angles have been associated with a predisposition for assorted knee problems and reduced performance for activities requiring high leg power; however, goniometric approaches may lack the precision necessary for the approach to have reasonable utility.