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

Dr. Murlasits received his Ph. D. from the West Virginia University in 2005. His previous work includes cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, sarcopenia, muscle damage and skeletal muscle hypertrophy in animal models. He also served as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for high school athletes during his doctoral studies.

Graduate Assistant: Jacob Reed, B.A.

Jacob Reed is currently finishing his first year as a graduate assistant to Dr. Murlasits. He received his bachelors of arts degree in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa in May of 2009. As an undergraduate Jake was the principle investigator for three research studies in the area of biomechanics and exercise physiology, two of which he presented at the 2009 NSCA National Conference in Las Vegas. Jake's research interests lie in whole body vibration training and muscular atrophy in older adults.

Mission

To provide facilities, support and expertise for examining the responses and adaptations of human muscle to exercise. In order to better understand how different types of heavy resistance exercise influence performance in healthy young and old (athletes and non-athletes) and diseased populations, the underlying physiological mechanisms are studied in the Exercise Biochemistry Lab. In addition to the research agenda, this laboratory provides an invaluable resource as a teaching tool for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Projects

Research primarily focuses on monitoring the acute and chronic adaptations of human skeletal muscle to resistance exercise. Cellular and molecular adaptations, such as gene and protein expression are studied using circulating biomarkers and muscle biopsy techniques. Primary areas of interest include the attenuation of muscle wasting (e.g. sarcopenia and cancer cachexia) via resistance exercise, skeletal muscle damage and the role of dietary supplements in cellular responses and adaptations.

• resistance training
• sarcopenia
• cachexia
• whole body vibration training
• resistance training and cytokines
• concurrent resistance and endurance training