The Exercise Psychology Lab (2,500 square feet) is instrumented with physiological recorders for assessing heart period, automated indirect blood pressures, respiration, and electrical potentials for skin, muscle, and brain. Sound-restricted, humidity/temperature controlled, and electrically shielded tested chambers are also housed in the lab. The chambers allow various types of research related to stress physiology,perceived exertion and pain. Recorders are interfaced with microcomputers dedicated to data collection, reduction and analysis. Research has focused on psychophysiological effects of acute and chronic exercise as they relate to mood (e.g., anxiety, depression, energy and fatigue), emotional responsiveness, and stress reactivity, effects of somatosensory and acoustically evoked biopotentials assessed by electromyography and electroencephalography and the role of baroreflex activity on changes in cardiovascular reactivity to cognitive and psychomotor stressors following exercise training.

Resting and exercise metabolic measurements are made using a metabolic cart. Computerized and automated ambulatory assessments of heart rate variability, blood pressure, body temperature and physical activity can be used to examine various aspects of the human circadian system while test subjects live outside of the laboratory.  Hardware and software are available for assessing isometric force.  A computer-controlled device is available for generating and documenting  responses to highly repeatable thermal stimuli including warm, painfully hot, cool and painfully cold stimuli.

Rod K. Dishman, Professor
Exercise Psychology Laboratory Co-Director
Ph.D., Physical Education (Exercise Psychology), University of Wisconsin at Madison
Area of Expertise: Exercise Psychology
Research Interests: Psychological adaptations to exercise and exercise adherence
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Office: 115I Ramsey
Phone: 706-542-9840
E-mail: rdishman@uga.edu

Patrick O’Connor, Professor
Exercise Psychology Laboratory Co-Director
Ph.D., Exercise Psychology, University of Wisconsin at Madison
Area of Expertise: Exercise and Sport Psychology
Research Interests: Relationships Between Exercise and Mental Health
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Office: 115L
Phone: 706-542-4382
E-mail: poconnor@uga.edu

The Exercise Psychology Lab (2,500 square feet) is instrumented with physiological recorders for assessing heart period, automated indirect blood pressures, respiration, and electrical potentials for skin, muscle, and brain with biofeedback capabilities. Sound-restricted, humidity/temperature controlled, and electrically shielded tested chambers are also housed in the lab. The chambers allow various types of research related to stress physiology and perceived exertion. Recorders are interfaced with microcomputers dedicated to data collection, reduction and analysis. Research has focused on psychophysiological effects of acute and chronic exercise as they relate to anxiety and stress reactivity, effects of somatosensory and acoustically evoked biopotentials assessed by electromyography and electroencephalography and the role of baroreflex activity on changes in cardiovascular reactivity to cognitive and psychomotor stressors following exercise training.

The laboratory also houses facilities suitable for polysomnographic assessment of sleep physiology including EEG, electro-oculography, electromyography and respiratory function. Resting and exercise metabolic measurements are made using a metabolic cart. In addition, computerized and automated ambulatory assessments of heart rate variability, blood pressure, body temperature and physical activity are used to examine various aspects of the human circadian system while test subjects live outside of the laboratory.