The Human Performance Lab (HUP-Lab) is an inclusive space whose core values foster creativity and critical thinking, empowering our students to engage in different activities. The HUP-Lab is a vital component of the department and University's mission of learning by thinking and learning by doing. By providing learning experiences through course laboratories, faculty and student scholarship, and our collaborative work with the University Athletic Department, our students participate in diverse experiences that develop their skills and professional qualifications.
Research Environment
The HUP-Lab comprises two different state-of-the-art facilities equipped with sophisticated systems for advancing human performance, sports nutrition, and exercise physiology. Among these systems are Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) for whole and regional body composition assessments and Ultrasound imaging to measure skeletal muscle size, locate soft tissue injuries (and much more). Our labs also house stationary and portable metabolic systems for VO2max and resting metabolism assessments with an integrated resting and stress ECG system for heart electrical activity analyses. Wireless electromyography is used to analyze skeletal muscle activation, while accelerometers and linear positioning transducers to quantify the rate and velocity of human movement. Students can also gain experience with technologies for athlete performance monitoring, including Catapult® GPS player tracking. Recent additions include a Sphygmocor® unit for peripheral blood flow analyses, two Noraxon® portable biomechanics laboratories, and a Biodex® isokinetic dynamometer for biomechanical and neuromuscular assessments.
Our unique environment provides outstanding learning experiences and ample opportunities for students to gain national and international exposure for their achievements. After graduating with a Human Performance major and completing his master’s at The University of Tampa, one of our alumni received the National Strength and Conditioning Association "Master's Student Outstanding Podium Presentation" research award at the National Conference in 2017. Furthermore, a human performance major received “The Best Student Poster Award for APHA’s Physical Activity Section” in 2021.
The HUP-Lab takes pride in offering our students opportunities to obtain skills and competencies that set them apart from other applicants for graduate school and professional positions within the exercise science field. Please browse the studies listed below for information about scholarly work performed in the last years by our students and faculty members.
Research Studies
# - Denotes The University of Tampa Faculty
* - Denotes undergraduate student
+ - Denotes graduate student
- Tamulevicius N#, Save R+, Gandhi N+, Lubiak S+, Sharma S+, Aguado Loi CX#, Paneru K#, Martinasek MP#. Perceived Stress and Impact on Role Functioning in University Students with Migraine-Like Headaches during COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Apr 13;20(8):5499. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085499
- WADHI T+, BARAKAT C#, EVANGELISTA A, PEARSON JR+, ANAND AS+, MORRISON TEA+, O'SULLIVAN J#, WALTERS J#, DE SOUZA, EO#. Loaded Inter-Set Stretching for Muscular Adaptations in Trained. Males: Is the Hype Real? Int J Sports Med. 2021 Aug. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1529-6281
- TAMULEVICIUS N#, WADHI T+, OVIEDO GR, ANAND AS+, HOUSTON F#, TIEN J-J, VLAHOV E#. Effects of Acute Low-Frequency Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field Therapy on Aerobic Performance during a Pre-Season Training Camp: A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147691
- SENGBUSCH JR+, TIERNAN DL+, TAMULEVICIUS N#, MARTINASEK MP#. The Impact of Smoking on Maximum Oxygen Uptake. Respir Care. 2021 May. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.08406
- PEARSON J+, WADHI T+, BARAKAT C#, AUBE* D, SCHOENFELD BJ, ANDERSEN JC#, BARROSO R, UGRINOWITSCH C, DE SOUZA, EO#. Does Varying Repetition Tempo in a Single-Joint Lower Body Exercise Augment Muscle Size and Strength in Resistance-Trained Men? J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Jan. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003953
- MARTINASEK M#, TAMULEVICIUS N#, GIBSON-YOUNG L, MCDANIEL J, MOSS SJ, PFEFFER I, LIPSKI B*. Predictors of Vaping Behavior Change in Young Adults Using the Transtheoretical Model: A Multi-Country Study. Tob Use Insights. 2021 Jan. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179173X20988672
- BARAKAT C#, PEARSON J+, GUILLERMO E, CAMPBELL B, DE SOUZA EO#. Body Recomposition: Can Trained Individuals Build Muscle and Lose Fat at the Same Time? Strength Cond J. 2020 Oct. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000584
- RAUCH JT+, UGRINOWITSCH C, BARAKAT C#, ALVAREZ MR+, BRUMMERT DL+, AUBE DW*, BARSUHN AS+, HAYES D+, TRICOLI, V, DE SOUZA, EO#. Auto-Regulated Exercise Selection Training Regimen Produces Small Increases in Lean Body Mass and Maximal Strength Adaptations in Strength-Trained Individuals. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Apr. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002272
- AUBE DW*, WADHI T+, RAUCH J, ANAND A+, BARAKAT C#, PEARSON J+, BRADSHAW J+, ZAZZO, S*, UGRINOWITSCH C, DE SOUZA EO#. Progressive resistance training volume: effects on muscle thickness, mass and strength adaptations in resistance-trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Feb. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003524
- WADHI T+, RAUCH JT+, TAMULEVICIUS N#, ANDERSEN JC#, DE SOUZA EO#. Validity and Reliability of the GymAware Linear Position Transducer for Squat Jump and Counter-Movement Jump Height. Sports. 2018 Dec. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6040177
# - Denotes The University of Tampa faculty
* - Denotes undergraduate student
+ - Denotes graduate student
- DE SOUZA, EO#; WADHI, T# BARSUHN, A; SAVLA, R+; UGRINOWITSCH, C#. Cluster Analysis Shows No Significant Variation in Training Volume Variables Across Hypertrophic Adaptations in Trained Individuals. Presented at the Congress of European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Paris, 4 – 7 July 2023.
- LUBIAK S+, RIDDELL S.+, WAGNER H.+, MAY J.*, DUNGEY J.+, ANTUNES V.A.+, TIRALLA G.+, TAMULEVICIUS N.# Acute Effects of Different Anaerobic Workloads on Parameters of Arterial Stiffness. Presented at the Congress of European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Paris, 4 – 7 July 2023.
- RIDDELL S.+, MEHTA H.+, LUBIAK S.+, THOMPSON B.K.#, CARTER C.+, FREEMAN A.+, DUNGEY J.+, MARTINASEK M.P.#, WALTERS J.#, TAMULEVICIUS N.# Evaluation Of Reaction Time Among College Aged E-cigarette Smokers And Non-smokers. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting and World Congress, Denver, CO, May 30-June 3, 2023.
- INGLIMA, SC; +BRADSHAW, JT; BARSUHN, AS; BARAKAT, C., THOMPSON, BK+; GOTLA, T+; ZAZZO, SD+; DE SOUZA, E#; MILLER, A#; WALTERS, J#. The Effect of Myo Rep Versus Traditional Resistance Training on Maximal Bench Press Strength in Resistance-Trained Males – A Preliminary Study. In: NSCA National Conference, 2022, New Orleans. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2022.
- BRADSHAW J+, HORWELL A+, MURPHY A+, HOLLAMON V+, WADHI T, BARAKAT C#, WALTERS J#, O'SULLIVAN J#, DE SOUZA, EO#. The Effects of Weekly Strength Training Volume on Changes in Regional Body Composition of the Lower Extremities in Strength-Trained Individuals. In: National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, July, 2021, Orlando. Abstract published in supplement to Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2021.
- LUBIAK S.*, AGUADO LOI C.#, AMUNDSON D.+, FROCIONE E.R.+, BALESTRIERI E.*, MARTINASEK M.#, TAMULEVICIUS N.# Exercise Prevents Migraines, However, Some Types Helps While Others Harm. The American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo, Denver, Co, Oct. 24-27, 2021; Oral presentation #2064.
- MURPHY A*, ZAZZO S*, MORRISON TE+, WADHI T, WINN J*, RODRIGUEZ Z+, ASHEIM M*, BRADSHAW J+, O'SULLIVAN J#, DE SOUZA E#. Training Volume and Muscle Hypertrophy Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males – An Individualized Approach and Preliminary Study. In: National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, July, 2020, Las Vegas (Due to pandemic the Congress was canceled). Abstract published in supplement to Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020.
- WROBLEWSKI S+, MORRISON TE+, ANDERSON K+, MURPHY A+, BEDSOLE A+, O'SULLIVAN J#, DE SOUZA E#, ANDERSEN J#. The Association between Body Composition and Performance Assessments with External Workload Metrics in Division II Collegiate Women Soccer. In: National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, July, 2020, Las Vegas (Due to pandemic the Congress was canceled). Abstract published in supplement to Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020.
- TAMULEVICIUS N#, WADHI T+, TIEN JJ, OVIEDO GR, AGUADO LOI CX#, ORTIZ JM+, RODRIGUEZ Z+, MARTINASEK MP#. Migraine in College Students: Relationships of Exercise, Sleep And Stress. In: 67th American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting and World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, June, 2020, San Francisco. Due to pandemic the Congress was canceled. Abstract published in supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2020.
- ZACCHEO A+, ANDERSEN JC#, TAMULEVICIUS N#. The Effect of Sleep on Explosive Strength Gains in Female Collegiate Soccer Players during Off-Season Training: A Pilot Study. In: IFSPT Third World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy, October, 2019, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Abstract published in supplement to The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.
- SCHNEIDER J+, GRELLE B+, FINALY S+, WILSON M+, DE SOUZA EO#, ANDERSEN JC#. External Load by Position on NCAA II Division Male Soccer. In: National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, July, 2020, Washington. Abstract published in supplement to Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2019.
- GRELLE B+, WADHI T+, FINALY S+, DE SOUZA, EO#, ANDERSEN, JC#. Comparison of Field Performance Metrics Between Collegiate Division II Women's Football and Women's World Cup Football. In: 24th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, 2019, Prague, Czech Republic. Abstract published in supplement to European College of Sport Sciences 2019.
- TAMULEVICIUS N#, WADHI T+, OVIEDO GR, ANAND AS+, HOUSTON F#, VLAHOV E#. Short-Term Altitude Training Effects on Aerobic Performance Parameters in Collegiate Cross-Country Runners. In: 66th American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting and World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, May-June, 2019, Orlando. Abstract published in supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2019
- WADHI T+, TAMULEVICIUS N#, OVIEDO GR, ANAND AS+, HOUSTON F#, VAKNIN D#. Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Application on Aerobic Performance in Runners During Short-Term Altitude Training. In: 66th American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting and World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, May-June, 2019, Orlando. Abstract published in supplement to Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2019
- TAMULEVICIUS N#, SHAH DM+, WADHI T+, AGUADO LOI CX#, MARTINASEK MP#. Migraine in university students: prevalence, triggers and self-reported effects on exercise. In: 23rd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Sciences, July, 2018, Dublin, Ireland. Abstract published in supplement to European College of Sport Sciences 2018.
