Labs, Centers, and Programs
The Department of Kinesiology is proud to be the home of multiple labs, centers, and programs. Each of these offers unique opportunities for students, community members, and collaborative partners to work with our esteemed faculty members.
The ASAPP program is offered to children ages 5 through 12 with disabilities and neurodiversity. Instruction is provided (2 or 1-1 child/staff ratio) by university students enrolled in the KIN Department studying to receive an Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization and Physical Education Single Subject Teaching Credential. Activities emphasized through individualized and group instruction include fundamental motor skills, health-related physical fitness, cooperative lead-up games, sports, relaxation activities, and social responsibility. Two, 10-week sessions are offered during the CSULB academic year (Fall and Spring) on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for 1 hour. The cost is $200.00 for each 10-week program of 20 sessions, including a motor assessment and IEP. Some full and partial scholarships are available based on need. The website provides a program brochure.
Camp Nugget is a 4 week program is offered to children ages 5 through 12 with disabilities and neurodiversity. Instruction is provided (4:1 child/staff ratio) by university students enrolled in the KIN Department studying to receive an Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization and Physical Education Single Subject Teaching Credential. Camp activities include aquatics with swim instruction, fundamental motor skills, health-related physical fitness, dance, lead-up cooperative games, and adapted sports. The 4-week program begins mid-June and continues mid- July. Camp Nugget is offered Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and the cost is $400.00. Registration usually begins in March and is on a first-come basis. Camp Nugget usually fills to capacity by early April. Some full and partial scholarships are available based on need. The website provides a program brochure.
The FITLAB is equipped with TecnoBody IsoFree with Force platform and 3D camera, Oxycon Mobile Metabolic Carts, Physiological Aging Simulation Suite, InBody 720 BIA, WoodWay Curve, Squat Racks/ Olympic Platform, Bumper Plates, Leg Press, Bench Press, Resistance Bands, Battle Ropes, Kettle Bells, Steps, Barbells, Various Dumbbells, Group Fitness Barbells, Bosu Balls, Stability Balls, Treadmills, EMG, Tendo
For information, contact: Dr. Michelle Alencar, Dr. Jan Schroeder, or Dr. Kellie Walters
The LifeFit Center is now proud to say that it is officially an Exercise is Medicine on Campus facility.
We at the LifeFit Center are making a commitment to uphold and promote these guiding principles of the Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIMC) Program.
- Exercise and physical activity are important to health and the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases.
- More should be done in university and college settings to encourage students to establish lifelong exercise and physical activity habits that have the power to significantly improve the quality of students’ lives.
- Support the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM’s) efforts to bring a greater focus on exercise and physical activity in university and college settings.
The Movement Science Lab and STAR (Sports Training And Research) facility is a 4,250 square foot (395 sq meters) space. The main laboratory measures 88 x 45 feet with a 30-foot high ceiling (26.8 x 13.6 x 9 m) and is equipped with multiple research tools to address questions in biomechanics, motor control, athletic training, and physical therapy. This laboratory is used for education and research as well as sports performance evaluations. Activities include track and field events, golf, running, jumping, landing, and cycling, as well as walking gait. The Movement Science Lab is equipped with an 18-camera Qualisys motion analysis system, 6 Bertec force plates (600x900mm), a Bertec instrumented treadmill, 16-channel BTS wireless EMG, Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer, 1080Quantum Motion exercise system, Vertec jump system, and a full set of Olympic weights and barbells.
The Physiology of EXercise and Sport (PEXS) lab focuses on understanding the underlying factors regulating skeletal muscle mass and function as well as investigating metabolic adaptations that occur with acute and chronic exercise. The PEXS lab utilizes cutting-edge technologies investigating physiological responses to exercise at the molecular, cellular, whole muscle, and whole-body levels. Our research has wide-ranging implications for improving health and human performance across various populations ranging from athletes, individuals with disease or disability, and from the very young to our aging population. Our major equipment includes a Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer, Parvomedics metabolic cart, two Cosmed Quark CPET metabolic carts, Mortara ECG system, GE iDXA, Quantstudio 6 real-time PCR machine, Molecular Devices m2e microplate reader, and BIO-RAD gel electrophoresis equipment.
The Sport and Exercise Psychology Lab is a research lab that is designed to provide students with the resources and space necessary for conducting research, providing mental skills consultation, and to collaborate with peers. In this space, a group area with computers and workspace is available, as well as separate office space for private one-on-one meetings. Students have access to a resource library, teambuilding equipment, and technology for research that includes thought technology biofeedback training, virtual training equipment (e.g., Occulus Rift), camcorders, microphones, and heart rate monitors.
The mission of the Sports Training and Research (STAR) Institute is two-fold:
- Design and deliver evidence-based sports training programs to the community.
- Conduct research in the area of sport training and performance.
The Sport Training and Research (STAR) Institute at California State University, Long Beach is an athletic research and training organization that utilizes a transdisciplinary approach to research and evidence-based approach to training in an effort to maximize athletic performance. In order to fully leverage a transdisciplinary approach, STAR possesses an expert staff (Doctoral and Masters Degrees) of scientists and practitioners with expertise in Motor Learning and Control, Biomechanics, Sport Psychology, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology, Rehabilitation, Nutrition, and Pedagogy. Together, the staff conducts research and designs training programs that help athletes maximize their full potential.
Research Activities
- Provide faculty and students applied research opportunities utilizing the various teams and athletes associated with STAR.
- Pursue research grants from government and private organizations while utilizing data collected from STAR activities.
- Generate funds to purchase state-of-the-art research and rehabilitative equipment.
- Provide a venue for collaborative research within the Department of Kinesiology, the College of Health and Human Services, and the University.
- Provide faculty and students funds to present research at conferences in the US and internationally in order to disseminate research findings.
Evaluation/Performance Testing
- Biomechanics: athletes are evaluated for movement deficiencies that may lead to injury or reduced performance.
- Exercise Physiology: athletes are evaluated to identify physiological characteristics associated with endurance, strength, speed, and power.
- Motor Learning & Control: athlete’s practice regimen is evaluated for deficiencies that may lead to suboptimal skill development and performance.
- Nutritional analysis: STAR evaluates whether the athlete’s consumption of food successfully matches the demands of training and competition.
- Sport Psychology: the STAR team assesses existing emotional and psychological strategies to help athletes manage the demands associated with training, competition, and life.
- Rehabilitation: the STAR team screens for potential body/structural imbalances that may lead to or are causing injury.
