Exercise physiology labs

The exercise physiology labs at Victoria University (VU) are one of Australia’s most comprehensive human performance and sport science research environments.  

VU is ranked sixth in the world for sport science, and the exercise physiology labs are a central part of the research infrastructure supporting this work. 

A comprehensive research & learning environment

The exercise physiology labs support research across the full spectrum of human physiology, performance and health. The breadth of equipment and specialised lab spaces allows researchers to design studies that combine multiple measurement techniques – including metabolic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, biochemical and body composition analysis – within a single research program. 

Together, these facilities support state-of-the-art practical learning and research in sport performance, environmental physiology, clinical exercise physiology, metabolism, body composition and human adaptation to extreme environments. 

Lab spaces & capabilities

Researchers watch participant run on treadmill
Researcher conducting tests in the lab
Researcher conducting VO2 max test
Researcher looking at a microscope in the lab
Exercise physiology students stand around computer and stationary bike
Researcher conducting tests in the lab
Stationary bikes in the environmental chamber
Research participant on stationary bike in environmental chamber
Students in the exercise physiology lab
View from inside the sports science labs looking out across campus

Research applications

The exercise physiology labs support a wide range of research areas, including: 

  • endurance and high-performance sport science  
  • strength, power and neuromuscular function  
  • environmental physiology and acclimatisation  
  • metabolic health, obesity and chronic disease  
  • cardiovascular and respiratory physiology  
  • body composition and anthropometry  
  • exercise as medicine and clinical exercise physiology  
  • nutrition and supplementation research  
  • pharmacological and mechanistic physiology research  
  • ageing, inactivity and rehabilitation research.  

The ability to combine environmental testing, performance testing, biochemical analysis and body composition assessment within one facility allows researchers to run complex, multidisciplinary studies that would normally require multiple institutions. 

Industry & research partnerships

Victoria University’s exercise physiology labs have supported research and industry partnerships with elite sporting organisations, health services and research institutions, including: 

  • Western Bulldogs  
  • Maribyrnong Sports Academy  
  • Monash Health  
  • Western Health. 

The labs support collaborative research, athlete testing, clinical trials, environmental physiology studies and performance research projects. 

Institute for Health & Sport (IHES)

We are a flagship research institute at Victoria University that address real-world problems in health, sport and active living.

Learn more about IHES