Comparative Exercise Physiology Lab
The lab performs basic, translational, and applied research in the field of exercise
physiology and sports medicine, with the goal of improving the health and well-being
and performance of animal athletes – even humans.
About the Lab
The CEPL is equipped with a robust array of scientific equipment for use in these
activities, including high-resolution respirometry, whole animal calorimetry, non-invasive
pulmonary mechanical measurements, on-site blood gas and serum chemistry analysis,
video endoscopy, and a full array of standard bioscience benchtop analytical instruments.
Additionally, the CEPL maintains groups of dedicated equine and canine athletes as
established research colonies, enabling the laboratory to conduct studies with a minimum
of delay and expense normally associated with procuring appropriate subjects.
The physical centerpieces of the CEPL are the Equine Sports Medicine Building, the
Equine Research Park, and the Canine Performance Laboratory. These facilities each
play a vital role in various aspects of the research preformed by the CEPL. They are
not only assets for our research, but also for teaching and clinical activities.
Equine Research Park
The Equine Research Park is a multifunctional satellite facility that is part of the
OSU-CVM USDA-, PHS, and AALAC-approved collection of research and teaching facilities.
Situated on forty acres of land in Stillwater, Oklahoma, twenty-eight of the forty
acres are dedicated to pasture while a stall barn, BSL-2 barn, force plate facility,
arena and storage barn are situated on the remaining twelve acres of land. The ERP
is set up to support a wide variety of research projects including but not limited
to lameness studies, exercise studies, vaccination trials and gastrointestinal studies.
Big Lake Lab
The study of racing sled dogs as elite animal athletes has been a centerpiece of the
CEPL for nearly two decades, with projects centered on both improving the health,
well-being, and performance of the dogs, as well as studying the dogs as marvels of
mammalian physiology (with the hope of being able to replicate some parts of that
physiology in lesser athletes, such as humans).
The CEPL-Big Lake laboratory is located in Big Lake, Alaska. The laboratory is designed
to meet USDA requirements for housing dogs being used in research while also preserving
the dogs’ ability to thrive in the Arctic winter. The Big Lake Lab is compromised
of two main rooms, the lab and the kennel. The kennel can house up to 38 dogs and
also has an examination/minor procedures room.
Canine Performance Lab
The Canine Performance Laboratory is located immediately adjacent to the university
housing facilities for research dogs and features a custom-built treadmill in an environmental
chamber.
This facility also includes a custom-designed system for the precise quantification
of olfactory performance in detection dogs.
Equine Sports Medicine
The Equine Sports Medicine building features an EquiGym high-speed treadmill for combined
research and clinical use by the veterinary center. The treadmill has infinitely variable
speeds from 4 to 60 mph and can incline from 0 to 10 percent. With independent climate
control systems and large volume fans to ensure appropriate thermoregulation during
exercise, the facility is a turn-key asset for research, teaching, and clinical activities
involving exercising horses.