Integrative Workstations to Enhance Undergraduate Learning and Research of Metabolic and Physiological Responses

Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter MN

Investigators

Abstract

Biological Sciences (61) Exercise physiology is fundamental for researchers and majors in health fitness, athletic training, physical education, and health education. Not unlike other sciences, exercise physiology instruction that provides students with iihands-onl. laboratory experiences creates the most positive learning climate, leads to a more complete understanding of basic physiological processes, and increases comprehension of scientific principles, concepts and methods. Currently, due to lack of metabolic analyzing equipment, the instruction of many exercise physiology laboratory activities has been done via more traditional demonstration methods than full and active student participation in the exercises themselves. The acquisition of key instructional equipment (metabolic analyzer and treadmill) will expand and strengthen the undergraduate student's experience in exercise physiology and help foster a direct problem- solving approach to the learning process in scheduled laboratory sessions, independent research or other out-of-class projects. The objectives of this project are two-fold: a) to provide expired gas analyzing instrumentation to enable students to study several fundamental exercise physiology principles that cannot be investigated with the current equipment and b) to promote and encourage active learning and student research opportunities. The improved learning and research resulting from the integration of the requested equipment into the curriculum will advance the college's commitment to undergraduate research throughout the academic program.