Today the class started out by performing the Wingate test, the purpose of which is to show peak anaerobic power. It is performed using a cycle ergometer, which is essentially a stationary bike with a feature to add weights (based on the person’s weight) to apply resistance to the main wheel. The students had to keep up as much speed as possible after the resistance was applied for 30 seconds. The number of revolutions was recorded every 5 seconds.

After the class finished the Wingate test, Assistant Professor Michael Landram talked about anaerobic respiration and showed the graphs of revolutions per 5 seconds and how it decreased significantly throughout the 30 seconds of the test, showing how inefficient anaerobic respiration is.

The class then proceeded to the 8th floor of Leahy Hall for a DEXA test, which is a kind of X-ray test that shows bone density, lean body fat, and muscle related to the skeletal system. It takes about 6 minutes to complete the scan. While waiting for a student to finish, the rest of the class learned about the unearthly Bod Pod and various other body fat measuring devices.

After finishing the DEXA scan, Dr. Sweeney and Professor Fay drove the students over to the Dunmore High track to complete the 1.5 mile run in the blazing sun. Some participants were excited to try to hatch some Pokémon eggs, while others simply dreaded their yearly run. 6 laps around the track proved to be quite difficult especially at the hottest time of the day and after the rigorous tests from earlier in the day and the day before.

Hot and sweaty, the class rode back to campus where Dr. Sweeney snuck us into the 3rd floor of the DeNaples Center to crash orientation lunch. Here the class enjoyed a free lunch and some well deserved ice cream. After lunch, the class went to the physiology lab to discuss an experiment Dr. Sweeney came up with to demonstrate blood delivery to muscles and oxygen consumption using an array of tubes we could open and close to symbolize capillaries and heat to symbolize oxygen. Class ended with a few questions to answer about the experiment and how it correllates to the human body.

The last test of the day was to carry the 5 pound Anatomy and Physiology books home.

Eva Rine and Ryan, for the EP NEPA crew…