New year, new goals: Campus lab helps Boiseans measure real health progress

As many people begin the year with health and fitness resolutions, Boise State University's Human Performance Laboratory is offering a way to move beyond guesswork by providing objective, individualized health testing, including recently upgraded Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, or DXA, body composition scans.

The DXA machine offers precise measurements of body composition and bone density, including how fat, muscle and bone are distributed throughout the body. The technology supports Boise State's workforce development mission by allowing students to train on industry-standard equipment while serving real clients.

"New Year's resolutions often rely on the scale as the primary measure of success, but weight alone doesn't tell the full story," said Blake Densley, clinical assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. "Human performance testing provides objective data that helps people understand how their body is actually functioning, whether their goal is better health, injury prevention or long-term quality of life."

In addition to DXA testing, the Human Performance Laboratory offers a range of services including VO₂max assessments, a primary indicator of aerobic fitness, and lactate threshold, a key indicator of anaerobic performance. Services are available to students, faculty, staff and community members.

Densley said the testing can be especially valuable early in the year, when people are establishing new routines.

"Whether someone wants to improve metabolic health, reduce injury risk, maintain independence as they age or better understand their current fitness level, testing provides a meaningful baseline and actionable insight," he said.

The lab also plays a central role in preparing students for careers in health, performance and clinical settings. Over 100 students each semester take labs using the equipment in the Human Performance Lab.

"Participating in and observing testing allows students to apply physiological concepts in real time," Densley said. "They develop technical skills, learn professional client interaction and see firsthand the importance of individualized assessment rather than relying on textbook norms."

Lynda Ransdell, professor and kinesiology divisional dean, said the Human Performance Laboratory supports teaching, research and community service across the School of Kinesiology.

"We teach 10 to 12 lab sections each week so students learn the latest fitness testing techniques and graduate ready to enter the workforce," Ransdell said. "The lab also supports innovative research focused on improving health through fitness and provides community testing so Boiseans can learn about and monitor their health."

Ransdell said DXA testing is one of the lab's most valuable services because it shows how body composition changes across different regions of the body.

"As people age, fat tends to accumulate in the midsection and muscle mass decreases, while bone density may decline," she said. "DXA allows us to determine whether those changes are systemic or localized, which helps individuals design effective strength or fitness programs and evaluate whether those programs are truly working."

Appointments for DXA scans and other Human Performance Laboratory services are available by scheduling online. More information is available at boisestate.edu/humanperformance/testing-services.

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