Office of Strategic Planning presents...
Initiatives in the Spotlight
Initiative#16117 BOD POD Equipment
The Kinesiology and Physical Education Department recently bought BOD POD equipment thanks to funding approval by the Budget Advisory Council.
The initiative was submitted by Dr. Mike Griffin, Department Head for Kinesiology and Physical Education. A BOD POD is a body composition system, which uses air displacement to estimate total fat mass and lean muscle mass of individuals. The overall goal for this equipment was to mirror in the human performance laboratory, the workplace for graduates of the exercise physiology, athletic training and physical education programs.
However, this equipment has already been used in to determine leanness and fatness in Valdosta State University athletes, who are potentially in a health risk category and or performance disadvantage from being too lean or too fat. VSU students across several programs of study have been exposed to the utilization of this important piece of equipment.
The Human performance laboratory will be offering body composition assessments using the BOD POD for a small fee. This service will be available to VSU students, community, and as a referral assessment for local health care professionals. The procedure, along with explanation of the test, and results only takes about 15 minutes. The test is performed in an upright chamber allowing the person to look out a window while seated comfortably. The funds from these services will help maintain the BOD POD and subsidize the research programs affiliated with its use.
Some of the research programs include the effects of resistance training in older women, the physiological profile of elite competition cheerleaders, and a push-up training program in college females. Other research initiatives for the near future may assess the effects of physical activity in obese children, adults, and tri-athletes and smokers.
Article written by Wendee Corbitt, Graduate Assistant for the Office of Strategic Planning and Organizational Development