Facilities

Our appetite laboratory consists of two research grade kitchen facilities and nine feeding cubicles. Within the kitchen facilities, we have numerous precision weighing stations for the measurement of food consumed. The feeding cubicles are self-contained rooms each housing a computer (to complete food choice or cognitive tasks, if required), a desk and a chair. Our group uses a number of techniques to monitor sensations of appetite and food preferences in conjunction with measures of food intake.

The exercise laboratory is equipped with various pieces of aerobic equipment (treadmills, exercise bikes, cross trainers, rowers) for supervised exercise trials. We are able to track exercise sessions and measure cardiovascular fitness using indirect calorimetry techniques for the maximal oxygen consumption during exercise, using equipment such as Vmax Encore. We also have changing and shower facilities on-site to ensure participation in our studies is as easy as possible for the general public. We also use a range of monitoring devices to measure sedentariness (sitting or lying) and physical activity both within the laboratory and in the free-living setting. These include Sensewear Armbands, accelerometers and heart rate monitors.

Our body composition laboratory houses equipment to allow body composition to be measured accurately. Equipment includes the Bodpod, Bioelectrical impedance, and iDXA, these devices allow for the calculation of fat and fat-free mass. In addition to being able to measure the amount of fat and fat free mass that individuals have, the iDXA can also determine the distribution of fat and bone mineral density. Our laboratory also has equipment for the measurement of height, weight, waist and skinfold thickness.

Our biochemistry laboratory or ‘wet lab’ allows invasive techniques to be performed in a safe and hygienic manner. This laboratory is used for venepuncture and cannulation studies whereby blood samples are collected. The samples are centrifuged to separate the plasma and stored at -80 to prevent degradation. We can also measure blood glucose and haemoglobin levels on-site using finger prick techniques.

Determining resting metabolic rate is important when determining our energy requirements. We measure resting metabolic rate in our laboratory via indirect calorimetry using gas exchange monitors. These techniques can allow us to provide individuals with food relative to their own requirements.