ETAMU Researchers Advance Athlete and Tactical Readiness at ROARHP Lab

The lab provides data-driven paths to peak performance for athletes and first responders.

The Department of Health and Human Performance at East Texas A&M University is home to one of the most versatile and innovative facilities in the region: the ROARHP Lab. Short for Research Opportunities in Athletics, Recreation, Health, and Performance, the lab supports NCAA athletes, professional competitors, first responders and community members alike.

Through cutting-edge technology, applied research and collaborations across campus and beyond, the ROARHP Lab is preparing the next generation of students for careers in sport science, healthcare and tactical readiness, while also providing a valuable service to athletes and professionals from a variety of fields.

Two Sides of the Lab

According to Dr. Michael Oldham, assistant professor of kinesiology and ROARHP Lab director, the lab operates with two primary focuses: athletic performance and tactical performance.

On the athletic side, the lab tracks NCAA athletes multiple times a year. Using advanced testing such as motion analysis, DEXA body scans and balance assessments, the lab monitors changes between preseason, midseason and postseason.

"These data points are shared with our sports medicine staff, our athletic training staff and our strength and conditioning staff," Oldham said. "It provides a great perspective of how our athletes are progressing physically through the seasons."

On the tactical side, the lab partners with police and fire academies, as well as federal law enforcement agencies. Cadets are tested on strength, endurance and reaction times, while also testing broadly based on occupation, such as testing the speed at which an officer can draw their weapon.

One ongoing project tracks firefighters' sleep and recovery patterns across various shift schedules. "It is very difficult for firefighters to recover and then be ready for the next day," Oldham said. "They always are in this slightly, moderately recovered state."

Tools and Testing

The lab's wide-ranging capabilities allow researchers to tailor assessments to the needs of each population.

• Athletes are tested with the DARI Motion Analysis system, DEXA scans and balance platforms to measure biomechanics, body composition and stability.
• Tactical personnel may undergo reaction time drills, heat stress simulations and job-specific performance tests.
• Community members can also access the lab for assessments in aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, sweat testing and body composition analysis.

"It's not just for our student-athletes and tactical populations," said Dr. Vipa Bernhardt, professor and department chair for Health and Human Performance. "Anybody interested in getting their body composition or fitness measured can come in, and it's half off for students."

Preparing Students for Research and Careers

The ROARHP Lab serves as a hub for student learning and research. Graduate assistants and undergraduate interns gain hands-on experience running tests, managing data and supporting both athletic and tactical programs.

Under the direction of Tactical Program Director Hussien Jabai, the lab provides both research and physical preparation that match the demands of the jobs for law enforcement and firefighting. The relationship between Jabai's real-world preparation techniques and lab data is a unique academy scenario and is showing tremendous benefit to cadets.

Graduate students can use the data generated in the lab to produce abstracts, publications and presentations at conferences. Many of these projects explore performance optimization, injury prevention and the demands of high-stress professions.

The lab also partners with international organizations, including professional soccer academies in Spain and Portugal, to study psychological resilience and physical readiness in youth athletes.

Real-World Environments

While the lab houses state-of-the-art equipment, much of its work extends into the field. Researchers monitor cadets in 105-degree Texas heat, firefighters during live fire training and federal officers in challenging climates.

"We can go out into the field and do real-world testing," Oldham said. "It's not just that we're doing this here in the lab under controlled conditions, but we're actually testing performance in the environments where people work."

This applied approach helps translate lab data into practical insights for coaches on the ballfield as well as police and EMS leaders in the community.

Surprising Discoveries

The lab's work often produces unexpected findings. Bernhardt recalled a study testing whether energy-returning "super shoes" improved jumping performance.

"The shoes have been proven to benefit runners," she said. "But the surprising finding was that there was absolutely no difference in jumping performance."

For Oldham, the most striking discovery was the aforementioned difficulty firefighters face recovering between shifts. "It was a sobering finding," he said. "It really is a hard, physically taxing job, and the mental stress plays a big role."

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Oldham envisions building a Uniformed Personnel Performance Center, a facility designed to support individuals before, during and after their service.

"I want to be able to help anyone who wears a uniform," Oldham said. "Whether that's candidates going into service, people currently serving or those retiring, we want to address not just the physical side but also medical, psychological and nutritional needs."

The lab is actively seeking partnerships and philanthropic support to bring this vision to life.

Impact and Opportunity

The ROARHP Lab is more than a testing center-it's a bridge between academic research and applied human performance. For students, it provides invaluable preparation for careers in health and fitness. For sports organizations and first responders, it offers evidence-based insights into performance, recovery and resilience.

With its dual focus on athletics and tactical operations, and its commitment to community service, the ROARHP Lab is positioning East Texas A&M University as a leader in human performance research and training.

To set up your own evaluation at the ROARHP Lab, visit the Online Shopping at East Texas A&M University Health and Human Performance page. All money generated goes toward student-related expenses.