Human Energetics and Thermoregulation Laboratory (HEaT)

HEaT Logo

The Human Energetics and Thermoregulation (HEaT) Laboratory is dedicated to exploring the metabolic needs and changes that occur around exercise with special attention to nutritional manipulations and the impact of both internal and external thermoregulatory stressors. The goal of this lab is to better understand the impact of nutritional, hydration, and thermoregulatory interventions on performance and safety.

Laboratory Director

Dr. Benjamin Wax

Professor
Director, Human Energetics and Thermoregulation Laboratory

bwax@colled.msstate.edu

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Lab Members

Faculty:

Dr. JohnEric W. Smith

Department Head
Associate Professor

johneric.smith@msstate.edu

View Profile for Dr. JohnEric W. Smith

Doctoral:

McKenzie Hargrove

Graduate Teaching Assistant

mlh1149@msstate.edu

View Profile for McKenzie Hargrove

Research Group Alumni

Dr. Ben Krings (2018) Assistant Professor – University of Wisconsin – Platteville

Dr. Hunter Waldman (2019) Assistant Professor – University of North Alabama

Dr. Ffion Price (2021) Teacher – Calon Cymru High School – Wales

Dr. Richard Baird (2022) Professor – Mississippi State University

Dr. Marissa Bello (2022) Visiting Professor – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Jaden (Rountree) Hamil, MS (2017) Director of Performance Nutrition – Florida State University

Steven Basham, MS Scientist – Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Brandon Shepherd, MS Scientist – Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Rogelio Realzola, MS Doctoral Candidate – University of New Mexico | Owner – R.O.I. Health

Research Emphasis

Exercise Metabolism
Hydration/Sports Nutrition
Thermoregulation
Human Performance Enhancement
Sport Performance Enhancement

Past and Current Research Support

Facilities and Equipment

MOXUS Metabolic Carts
Parvo Medics TrueOne Metabolic Cart
Cosmed K4B2 Metabolic System
Velotron Cycle Ergometers
Woodway ProXL Treadmill
Cosmed T150 Treadmill
Brower Timing Gates
FitLight Training Systems
FLIR Infrared Camera
CorTemp Body Temperature Analysis System
Full Biochemistry Lab

Recent Research Presentations

Recent and Relevant Publications (*Student)

M.L. Bello*, D.A. Anglin*, Z.M. Gillen, and J.W. Smith. (2022) Comparison of wearable technology at quantifying power and muscle load of endurance runners against varying wind resistance. International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science, 10(2), 11. DOI: 10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.10n.2p.11.

B.D. Shepherd*, F.G. Price*, B.M. Krings*, and J.W. Smith. (2022) Comparison of a continuous and discontinuous GXT in V̇O2 in resistance trained and endurance trained males. International Journal of Exercise Science. 15(4): 414-422. PMID: 35518364.

J.W. Smith, M. Bello*, and F.G. Price*. (2021) A case-series observation of sweat rate variability in endurance trained athletes. Nutrients. 13(6):1807. DOI: 10.3390/nu13061807. PMID: 34073387.

B.M. Krings*, H.S. Waldman*, B.D. Shepherd*, M.J. McAllister, B.J. Fountain, J. Lamberth, and J.W. Smith. (2021) The metabolic and performance effects of carbohydrate timing in resistance trained males undergoing a carbohydrate restricted diet. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 46(6):626-636. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0830. PMID: 33301383.

F.G. Price*, A.J. Turner*, J.W. Smith, B.M. Krings*, H.S. Waldman*, H. Chander, A.C. Knight, and M.J. McAllister. (2020) The effects of high-intensity interval training on performance of Division I college 800/1500 m runners. International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science. 8(3). 28-35. DOI: 10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.8n.3p.28.

H.S. Waldman*, J.W. Smith, J. Lamberth, B.J. Fountain, R.J. Bloomer, M.B. Butawan, M.J. McAllister. (2020) A 28-day carbohydrate-restricted diet improves markers of cardiovascular disease in professional firefighters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 34(10). 2785-2792. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003749. PMID: 32740289.

B.M. Krings*, M.J. McAllister, B.D. Shepherd*, H.S. Waldman*, and J.W. Smith. (2020) Effects of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on upper body resistance exercise performance. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 30(1). 42-47. DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2019–0073. PMID: 31563122.

S.A. Basham*, H.S. Waldman*, B.M. Krings*, J. Lamberth, J.W. Smith, and M.J. McAllister. (2019) Effect of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and muscle soreness. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 17(4). 401-414. DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2019.1604604. PMID: 31025894.

H.S. Waldman*, J.W. Smith, J. Lamberth, and M.J. McAllister. (2019) A 28-day carbohydrate-restricted diet improves markers of cardiometabolic health and performance in professional firefighters. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 33(12). 3284-3294. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003354. PMID: 31469768.

H.S. Waldman*, B.M. Krings*, F.G. Price*, A.C. Knight, H. Chander, J.W. Smith, and M.J. McAllister (2018). Exogenous ketone salts do not improve cognitive responses after a high-intensity exercise protocol in healthy college-aged males. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. 43(7), 711-717 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0724. PMID: 29451991.

H.S. Waldman*, B.J. Fountain, S.A. Basham*, B.M. Krings*, J.W. Smith, and M.J. McAllister (2018). Effects of a 15-day low carbohydrate, high fat diet in resistance trained males. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 32(11), 3103-3111. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002282. PMID: 29076962.

J.W. Smith, B.M. Krings*, B.D. Shepherd*, H.S. Waldman*, S.A. Basham*, and M.J. McAllister (2018). Effects of carbohydrate and branched chain amino acid ingestion during upper-body resistance exercise on performance and post-exercise hormone response. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. 43(5), 504-509. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0563. PMID: 29244956.

J.A. Rountree*, B.M. Krings*, T.J. Peterson*, A. Thigpen*, M.J. McAllister, M.E. Holmes, and J.W. Smith (2017). Efficacy of carbohydrate ingestion during training on CrossFit performance. Sports. 5(61), 1-8. DOI: 10.3390/sports5030061. PMID: 29910421.

J.W. Smith, B.M. Krings*, T.J. Peterson*, J.A. Rountree*, and R.B. Zak, M.J. McAllister (2017). Ingestion of an amino acid electrolyte beverage during resistance exercise does not impact fluid shifts into muscle or performance. Sports. 5(36), 1-9. DOI: 10.3390/sports5020036. PMID: 29910396.

B.M. Krings*, T.J. Peterson*, B.D. Shepherd*, M.J. McAllister, and J.W. Smith (2017). Effects of carbohydrate ingestion and carbohydrate mouth rinse and on repeated sprint performance. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 27(3), 104-112. DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0321. PMID: 2818250.

B.M. Krings*, J.A. Rountree*, M.J. McAllister, P.C. Cummings*, T.J. Peterson*, B.J. Fountain, and J.W. Smith (2016). Effects of acute carbohydrate ingestion on anaerobic exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13(40), 1-11. DOI 10.1186/s12970-016-0152-9. PMID: 27843418.

J.W. Smith, D.D. Pascoe, D.H. Passe, B.C. Ruby, L.K. Stewart, L.B. Baker, and J.J. Zachwieja (2013). Curvilinear dose-response relationship of carbohydrate (0-120 g·h-1) and performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(2): 336–341. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827205d1. PMID: 22968309.

J.W. Smith, J.J. Zachwieja, F. Péronnet, D. Massicotte, C. Lavoie, D.D. Pascoe (2010). Fuel selection and cycling endurance performance with ingestion of 13C-glucose: Evidence of a carbohydrate dose-response. Journal of Applied Physiology, 108: 1520 – 1529. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.91394.2008. PMID: 20299609.