The Health Behaviors and Cognition Laboratory investigates how physical health behaviors and attributes influence aspects of cognition. Below are some of our ongoing projects.
Acute Exercise and Attentional Processes
The extent to which single bouts of exercise influence attentional processes is the focus of multiple studies being conducted in our lab. These studies utilize event-related brain potentials to gain insight into covert attentional processes to understand the influence of various intensities, durations, and modes of exercise.
Physical Activity and Memory
Several studies within our lab are being conducted to examine the influence of physical activity on multiple aspects of memory. This work is in collaboration with the Sleep and Learning Laboratory directed by Dr. Kimberly Fenn, Ph.D.
Research Facilities
The Health Behaviors and Cognition Laboratory is located in room 38 IM Sports Circle and consists of a dedicated experimental testing chamber, neuropsychological assessment room, and office spaces. The laboratory is equipped with a wide assortment of instruments involved in psychophysiological measurement including measures of Electroencephalography (EEG), Event-related Potentials (ERPs), and various self-report inventories to measure health and cognitive function.
For our exercise interventions, we primarily use a Quinton Treadmill and Monark cycle ergometers. For the assessment of aerobic fitness of our study participants, we have access to the Human Energy Research Lab (HERL), which is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for the on-line measurement of expired gases during exercise, the measurement and assessment of physical activity behaviors, as well as an impressive array of other measurement and recording devices.
