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Human Performance Lab helps cadets improve strength, durability

The lab’s services range from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, testing that assesses body composition to various aerobic and anaerobic fitness tests. The lab can measure a cadet’s VO2 maximum, the maximum amount of oxygen the cadet can use during intense exercise. Another feature is an altitude control chamber that simulates oxygen-rich, or sea-level, and […]

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Human Performance Lab helps cadets improve strength, durability

The lab’s services range from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA, testing that assesses body composition to various aerobic and anaerobic fitness tests. The lab can measure a cadet’s VO2 maximum, the maximum amount of oxygen the cadet can use during intense exercise. Another feature is an altitude control chamber that simulates oxygen-rich, or sea-level, and oxygen-depleted environments up to 18,000 feet.
Staff at the lab integrate the nutrition, physiology and psychology performance principles to create comprehensive individualized plans. These plans optimize cadets’ physical capability, mental hardiness and nutritional strategies to meet the unique demands of military operations and athletic excellence.
“We facilitate the development of future warfighters through the science and practice of high-performance approaches for building strength, durability and adaptability for mission dominance,” said Human Performance Lab Assistant Director Dr. Nicholas Dinan.
By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

In recent years, the lab has expanded to include high-performance nutrition and psychology services.

Preparing cadet-athletes for high-altitude challenges

The Human Performance Lab plays a role in developing cadets as future warfighters in three performance areas. Those areas are the holistic optimization of performance, sustainable peak performance and data-driven insights for success.
“The staff provided me with the analysis of my DEXA scan results which has definitely helped me,” said Lu. “In a sport such as boxing, where you’re cutting weight, there’s a right and a wrong way to do it. Since gaining more information and education, I can now cut weight, maximize my energy level and perform well in the ring.”
The lab staff combines physiological conditioning, tailored nutrition protocols and psychological hardiness training to achieve sustainable peak performance. This combination enhances recovery, reduces injury risk and raises readiness for sustained high-performance outputs.
“Consistent with best practice in performance domains, we take some of the available equipment out of the lab and meet individuals where they are training and competing,” Dinan said. “This could include heart rate monitoring for conditioning sessions to determine nutritional fueling and hydration recommendations or using GPS information with teams to determine training intensity and evaluate how each athlete responds to that stimulus. This will allow us to further understand the stress demands on cadets and determine proper modifications to enhance readiness and facilitate recovery.”
“By simulating sea-level conditions or hyperoxic training, we can increase workout intensity during interval and maximal effort training,” Dinan said. “This type of training challenges heart and lung function to provide a more intense and productive workout. Conversely, hypoxic training reduces the oxygen content and helps our athletes acclimate to high-altitude conditions, like those experienced at the summit of Mount Denali in Alaska.”

The lab’s positive impact on cadet athletes

The HPL also offers a vision performance lab that focuses on intercollegiate athletes’ hand-eye speed and coordination, depth perception and other areas relating to memory, focus and concentration.
The lab staff leverages transdisciplinary data from performance testing, dietary analysis and psychological assessments for data-driven success insights. The data informs training regimens that prepare athletes to excel under dynamic and high-pressure scenarios across cadets’ Academy and military careers.
“Advancements within the Athletic Department have championed a new vision for the Human Performance Lab by investing in human capital and physical resources to grow performance training,” Dinan said.

Holistic optimization of performance

The U.S. Air Force Academy Women’s Soccer Team poses for a photo.
The U.S. Air Force Academy Women’s Soccer Team poses for a photo after completing training with Dr. Dillon Small, Human Performance Lab director of performance psychology, on performance culture in Polaris Hall Sept. 3, 2024. (Courtesy photo provided by Lt. Col. Marci Walton)
See more photos of the Human Performance Lab.
Cadet 1st Class Andrew Lu performs VO2 max training in the Human Performance Lab.
Cadet 1st Class Andrew Lu performs VO2 max training in the Human Performance Lab Jan. 3, 2025. The U.S. Air Force Academy boxer has incorporated data from the testing into his training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Sustainable peak performance

Lu notes the importance of dropping weight in an intentional manner with professional guidance.
One cadet athlete who has seen results from his work in the lab is Academy boxer Cadet 1st Class Andrew Lu, a Legal Studies major. He has noticed performance improvement from his V02 max testing.
The lab is in the Cadet Fitness Center near the water polo pool. Its hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Data-driven insights for success

“When I was initially introduced to V02 testing and learning about training and different heart zones, I wanted to see areas where I could improve,” Lu said. “Taking this test showed me the actual data on how my body works. From there, I was able to adjust how I practiced and trained. I learned from the data the areas where I’m strong and where I could improve that I wouldn’t have known otherwise.”
U.S. Air Force Academy cadet athletes train in the Human Performance Lab’s altitude control chamber.
U.S. Air Force Academy cadet athletes train in the Human Performance Lab’s altitude control chamber Jan. 3, 2025. The chamber simulates oxygen-rich, or sea-level, and oxygen-depleted environments up to 18,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Supporting increasing performance for all cadets

To achieve the expansion, the lab hired additional staff. The expansion involved hiring specialists in five primary areas of expertise: performance psychology, performance nutrition, performance diet, performance science and performance optometry. The lab’s specialists work closely with Academy athletic teams through consultations with individual cadet athletes, team-based training sessions and wearable technology and data analytics.
“Ultimately, the insights gained from these evidence-based approaches will be used to create adaptive frameworks for the ever-evolving military demands,” Dinan said. “This will foster innovation and flexibility in both training and application. By empowering cadets with actionable insights, we will assist them in reaching their peak capability, mission success and career longevity.”

Expansion of available services and additional staff

Human Performance Lab Director Dr. Matthew Hawkey applies Cadet 1st Class Andrew Lu’s mask before his VO2 max training.
Human Performance Lab Director Dr. Matthew Hawkey applies Cadet 1st Class Andrew Lu’s mask before his VO2 max training Jan. 3, 2025. The U.S. Air Force Academy boxer has experienced performance improvement from the testing that measures cardiovascular endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
“We want to take our applied research approach, collect data from athletes and translate findings across the cadet wing. We can help improve various areas, such as sleep quality or maintaining peak physical and cognitive performance. This is essential for mission success,” Dinan said.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The staff at the Human Performance Lab facilitate the physiological development and performance of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets.
The lab’s services are available to non-intercollegiate athletes since all cadets participate in the Academy’s athletic program. They are required to take physical education courses, pass physical fitness tests and compete in intercollegiate and intramural competitive sports. While the lab’s priority is intercollegiate athletes, the staff applies their knowledge, skill and ability to support the optimization of performance throughout the Cadet Wing.
“We currently use a performance and analytic platform that serves as an information broker that turns raw data into an integrative model of information,” Dinan said. “Essentially, each professional lane inputs relevant information about individual athletes that can then be interpreted by the appropriate staff member to enhance medical outcomes and improve training or game performances.”

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Jasmine Trott Qualifies for European Athletics U23 Championships in 10K

Story Links SWITZERLAND – Bryant University women’s track and field standout Jasmine Trott has qualified to compete in the 10,000 meters at the European Athletics U23 Championships, held in Bergen, Norway. Trott will represent the British national team and compete on Saturday, July 19, at 4:50 PM CET (10:50 AM EST). […]

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SWITZERLAND – Bryant University women’s track and field standout Jasmine Trott has qualified to compete in the 10,000 meters at the European Athletics U23 Championships, held in Bergen, Norway. Trott will represent the British national team and compete on Saturday, July 19, at 4:50 PM CET (10:50 AM EST).
Trott made history alongside her teammate Chloe Whiting as they became the first women in Division I program history to reach the First Round of the NCAA Championships. Last season, the Leeds, U.K. native ranked 26th in the East Region in the 10K, running a personal-best time of 33:35.17 at the 2025 Bryan Clay Invitational. Trott holds the school record in the 10K, with her mark being 2:21.77 faster than the next closest Bulldog, Eimear Black ’13 (35:56.94). At the 2025 America East Outdoor Championships, Trott took home the bronze in the 10,000m after posting a time of 36:45.01.

Trott began last season by resetting her school record in the 10,000m at the 2025 Black and Gold Invitational with a time of 34:01.76. Her outstanding effort helped the women’s track and field team win at home for the second straight season and marked an incredible start for both herself and the Black and Gold.

Trott’s initial rise to prominence in the women’s 10K began at the 2024 Black and Gold Invitational, where she won the event with a time of 35:56.67. That mark narrowly surpassed Black’s previous record time of 35:56.94. Her performance also helped the women’s track and field team win the Black and Gold Invitational for the first time in program history. Trott continued to improve in the event over the course of her sophomore season, capping the year off with a silver medal at the 2024 America East Outdoor Championships after running 35:53.59.

The European Athletics U23 Championships were first introduced in 1997 to help athletes transition from the U20 level to senior competition. The 2025 Championships will begin on Thursday, July 17, and conclude on Sunday, July 20.



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Blair Jefferson Gains Valuable Industry Experience Through Adobe Internship

Story Links As a Design Program Management Intern at Adobe through the SAMI Program (Student-Athlete Micro Internship), Blair Jefferson had the incredible opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience in a corporate environment. She worked closely with her manager and team, and was able to learn, grow, and take ownership of her […]

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As a Design Program Management Intern at Adobe through the SAMI Program (Student-Athlete Micro Internship), Blair Jefferson had the incredible opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience in a corporate environment. She worked closely with her manager and team, and was able to learn, grow, and take ownership of her own project—an experience that has already made a lasting impact on her professional development.

“One of the most memorable highlights so far was attending the Adobe Intern Summit in California at the company’s headquarters,” said Jefferson. “It was an unforgettable experience filled with learning, inspiration, and a true sense of community. I even had the chance to connect with two amazing WSSU alumnae—my former teammate Olivia Stephens and Dominique Graves—which made the experience even more meaningful.”

“I’m extremely grateful to the SAMI Program, especially Travarus Fauntleroy and his team, for their continuous mentorship and support. I also want to thank Winston-Salem State University for opening this door and empowering student-athletes like me to thrive beyond the field.”

This journey has already been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue learning, contributing, and growing throughout the rest of the summer.

BlairBlair J



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Six ACC Academic Honorees – Stanford Cardinal

STANFORD, Calif. – Six Stanford women’s tennis student-athletes have earned All-Academic honors from the ACC, the league announced Monday morning. Academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0-grade point average for the previous quarter and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. In addition, student-athletes must compete in at least […]

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STANFORD, Calif. – Six Stanford women’s tennis student-athletes have earned All-Academic honors from the ACC, the league announced Monday morning.

Academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0-grade point average for the previous quarter and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. In addition, student-athletes must compete in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests.

The full list of Cardinal honorees is as follows:

Caroline Driscoll, Stanford, Jr., Political Science
Valerie Glozman, Stanford, Fr., Undeclared
Connie Ma, Stanford, Sr., Human Biology
Chidimma Okpara, Stanford, Grad., Community Health & Prevention Research
Morgan Shaffer, Stanford, Fr., Undeclared
Valencia Xu, Stanford, Sr., International Relations



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Women’s Volleyball 2025 Mini Plans on Sale Now

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mini plans for the 2025 Ohio State women’s volleyball season are now on sale and can be purchased HERE. Fans will be able to choose four matches as mini plan pricing starts at $62 with the new all-inclusive pricing.   Premier matches available through mini plans include Florida (Sept. 7), USC (Sept. […]

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mini plans for the 2025 Ohio State women’s volleyball season are now on sale and can be purchased HERE. Fans will be able to choose four matches as mini plan pricing starts at $62 with the new all-inclusive pricing.
 
Premier matches available through mini plans include Florida (Sept. 7), USC (Sept. 27), Michigan (Oct. 24), Penn State (Oct. 26) and Wisconsin (Nov. 2).
 
The remaining home matches include Virginia (Sept. 19), Troy (Sept. 21), UCLA (Sept. 26), Purdue (Oct. 9), Illinois (Oct. 17), Rutgers (Oct. 31), Northwestern (Nov. 21) and Michigan State (Nov. 23).
 
Mini plans for the 2025 season can be purchased HERE. Season tickets are already available for the 2025 season, both for new season ticket holders HERE and renewals HERE. Ohio State students are free with a valid BuckID. Fans with ticketing questions should call the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-BUCKS or email athletic.tix@osu.edu.
 

#GoBucks



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Redbird Volleyball Announces 2025 Slate

Story Links 2025 ISU Volleyball Schedule NORMAL, Ill. – Returning a veteran squad that brings back eight players that started at least nine matches last season in addition to enrolling the top-rated recruiting class in program history, Illinois State volleyball head coach Allie Matters […]

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NORMAL, Ill. – Returning a veteran squad that brings back eight players that started at least nine matches last season in addition to enrolling the top-rated recruiting class in program history, Illinois State volleyball head coach Allie Matters has put together a challenging 2025 schedule to test the ISU squad, featuring six schools that played in last season’s NCAA Tournament, three that played in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), four from power-four conferences, and an 11-match home schedule featuring three schools from power conferences.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to share our preseason schedule with our Redbird fans,” said Matters. “This will be a tough slate for us, and I have full confidence that this roster will rise to the challenge. We are lucky to be situated geographically where volleyball is so competitive, we don’t have to travel very far to play in big matches. We are most looking forward to hosting a very talented trio of teams in our Linda Herman Invitational at CEFCU Arena. Our fans will witness high-level volleyball and an extremely competitive environment. With returning most of our offense, while sprinkling in some new transfers and freshmen, we are eager to get the season underway.”

Prior to the official start of the season, ISU will host its annual Red/White scrimmage on Thursday, August 14, and then travel to Charleston, Illinois, for an exhibition match at Eastern Illinois University on August 23 in which the Redbirds will help open the new Panther volleyball facility.

With the preseason events concluded, the regular season opens in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the Western Michigan Tournament. The Redbirds open at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 29 against BIG EAST member and 2024 NIVC quarterfinalist DePaul, before coming back a day later to battle the reigning Mid-American Conference Champion Western Michigan Broncos at 5 p.m. The tournament concludes on Sunday, August 31 against the Oakland Grizzlies at 11 a.m.

The following weekend the team travels west to Coralville, Iowa, to compete in the Hawkeye Invitational. The tournament will open for ISU against the Loyola Ramblers, who advanced to the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, with a first serve coming on September 4 at 3 p.m. The next day, on Friday, September 5, the Redbirds will face off against tournament host and Big Ten opponent Iowa at 6 p.m. The tournament finale will be played on Saturday, September 6 against BIG EAST foe Butler at 11 a.m.

From September 12-14 ISU will host the Linda Herman Classic, named in honor of longtime volleyball head coach and ISU Percy Family Hall of Fame inductee Linda Herman. The tournament opens on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. as the Cincinnati Bearcats and the University of Illinois face off inside CEFCU Arena, and that match is followed by the Redbirds taking on the Miami Hurricanes, a team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A day later the Hurricanes and Illini will meet at noon on Saturday, September 13, with the Redbirds taking on Big 12 member Cincinnati at 4 p.m. The tournament concludes with an in-state match-up with the Illini at 2 p.m. Last season Illinois advanced to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the opening round.

The pre-MVC slate closes in Dayton, Ohio, at the 2025 Dayton Flyer Invitational. The tournament opens on Friday, September 19 when the Redbirds face off against UC Santa Barbara at 10 a.m., before coming back later that day to face off against Wright State at 4 p.m. Last season the Raiders advanced to the NIVC, and the meeting with WSU is the first since Matters left the school to become the head coach at Illinois State. The tournament concludes on Saturday, September 20 at noon against the host Flyers, who went 31-3 last season, sweeping their A-10 schedule before advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

The following weekend, September 26 and 27, the Redbirds will be on the road at Indiana State and at Bradley to open play in the 16-game MVC season, with the conference season culminating at the 2025 MVC Tournament.



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Sports Medicine Welcomes Ruedas to Staff

Story Links RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday the hiring of Joshua Ruedas as an assistant athletic trainer.   Ruedas will oversee the women’s soccer, track & field/cross country programs at UTRGV. Prior to joining UTRGV, Ruedas spent his final year as […]

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Monday the hiring of Joshua Ruedas as an assistant athletic trainer.
 

Ruedas will oversee the women’s soccer, track & field/cross country programs at UTRGV. Prior to joining UTRGV, Ruedas spent his final year as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of South Carolina as the head athletic trainer at Mid-Carolina High School.
 
“We are very excited to add Josh to our sports medicine team,” Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Steven Kraus said. “He is a valley native that had a passion for coming home and working with the high-level athletes we have here at UTRGV. His passion and professionalism were evident throughout the interview process, and I think he will build quality relationships and provide efficient patient care to our student athletes.”
 

In his first year at South Carolina, he was the primary athletic trainer for the men’s tennis and men’s golf programs. He also assisted at summer camps for the football, women’s basketball, soccer, tennis, and track & field programs.
 

“I’m honored to step into my new role as an athletic trainer for women’s soccer and track & field/cross country at UTRGV,” Ruedas said. “This opportunity means so much to me—not just professionally, but personally—as I return to serve a community I care deeply about. I want to thank my mentors, peers, and especially my family for their constant support and encouragement throughout this journey. I’m proud to join the Vaquero family and look forward to the work ahead!”
 

Prior to his time at South Carolina, Ruedas spent four years with the University of Texas as an athletic training student where he provided coverage for their track & field, football, women’s soccer, and swimming & diving programs. He also completed a clinical education experience with Leander High School.
 
In the summer of 2022, Ruedas spent the summer with the Dallas Cowboys as an athletic training summer intern – student. In this role, he assisted in rehabilitation, treatment, and general medical services during the preseason and summer camp.
 
Ruedas earned his Master of Science in athletic training from South Carolina in May and his Bachelor of Science in athletic training from Texas in May 2023. He is also a member of the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
 



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