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Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory (REP)

REP

The Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory, or REP Lab, focuses on the physiological and biomechanical responses to exercise. The aim of this lab group is to understand the underlying mechanisms leading to increases in muscle strength and power in various populations, primarily through the use of noninvasive techniques.

Laboratory Director

Lab Members

Doctoral:

Masters:

Research Emphasis

  • Resistance Training
  • Muscle Strength & Power
  • Neuromuscular Function
  • Muscle Hypertrophy
  • Kinetics

Lab Facilities and Equipment

HUMAC Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer; ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System; Barbells, Bumper Plates, Squat Rack; Power Blocks; Delsys EMG Trigno Avanti System; PCB Piezotronics Accelerometers; Digitimer DS7AH Constant Current High Voltage Stimulator

Publications

Lowell RK, Johnson DH, Gillen ZM. Calculating power production from 40-yd dash, vertical jump, and broad jump NFL combine scores to examine position group differences. Accepted for presentation at the National Strength & Conditioning Association National Meeting in New Orleans, LA. February 2022.

Anglin DA, Bellow ML, Gillen ZM, Smith JW. Changes in muscular strength following nine weeks of high- vs. low-load training. Accepted for presentation at the National Strength & Conditioning Association National Meeting in New Orleans, LA. February 2022.

Bello ML, Gillen ZM, Smith JW. Differences in muscle usage using internal/external load over 9 weeks of resistance training. Accepted for presentation at the National Strength & Conditioning Association National Meeting in New Orleans, LA. February 2022.

Gillen ZM, Shoemaker ME, McKay BD, Bohannon NA, Gibson SM, Cramer JT. Influences of the stretch-shortening cycle and arm swing on vertical jump performance in children and adolescents. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(5): 1245-1256, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003647

Gillen ZM, McHugh MP, Shoemaker ME, Cramer JT. Comparisons of countermovement jump force profiles in youth athletes. Translational Sports Medicine, 4(5): 646-656, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsm2.257

Gillen ZM, Housh TJ, Schmidt RJ, Herda TJ, De Ayala RJ, Shoemaker ME, Cramer JT. Comparisons of muscle strength, size, and activation in pre- and post-pubescent males and females. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121(9): 2487-2497, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04717-1

Gillen ZM, Mustad VA, Shoemaker ME, McKay BD, Leutzinger TJ, Lopez-Pedrosa JM, Rueda R, Cramer JT. Impact of slow versus rapid digesting carbohydrates on substrate oxidation in pre-pubertal children: A randomized crossover trial. Clinical Nutrition, 40(6): 3718-3728, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.05.004

Gillen ZM, Shoemaker ME, Bohannon NA, Gibson SM, Cramer JT. Effects of eccentric preloading on concentric vertical jump performance in young female athletes. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 3(2021): 98-106, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-020-00098-7

Gillen ZM, Shoemaker ME, Bohannon NA, Gibson SM, Cramer JT. Comparing the torque- and power-velocity relationships between children and adolescents during isokinetic leg extension muscle actions. Human Movement Science, 74, 2020: 102678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2020.102678

Gillen ZM, Shoemaker ME, McKay BD, Bohannon NA, Gibson SM, Cramer JT. Leg extension strength, explosive strength, muscle activation, and growth as predictors of vertical jump height and peak power in youth athletes. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 2(4): 336-348, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-020-00067-0

Gillen ZM, Shoemaker ME, McKay BD, Bohannon NA, Gibson SM, Cramer JT. Peak torque explains more unique variability in growth measurements than rate of torque development in youth athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(9): 2507-2514, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003728

Information for Current and Prospective Students

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students wishing to be involved in the REP Lab are encouraged to contact Dr. Gillen to inquire about any potential research and/or internship opportunities.

Graduate Students

Masters student who want to opt for the “thesis” or the “directed individual study (DIS)” concluding option and interested to do this in the REP Lab should contact Dr. Gillen as early as possible into their respective academic curriculum. Potential Doctoral students interested in the REP Lab, please contact Dr. Gillen.

Contact

Contact via email: Dr. Zachary M. Gillen - zmg43@msstate.edu