Elizabethtown College’s Human Performance Laboratory (HPL), which was recently launched in partnership with Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster in fall 2021, is equipping users with the customized tools and comprehensive analysis they need to meet their health and wellbeing goals.
Alumnus Christopher Myers ’20 was the first community member to be tested in the HPL, which is located on the second floor of Etown’s Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being. It serves as a dynamic space for testing, evaluation, and performance open to the public.
He was eager to share his experience in his personal running vlog about using what he believes to be an impressive and valuable resource.
“The HPL is an incredibly professional environment that can provide immense value for athletes and especially endurance athletes,” Myers said. “Having a lab test is an essential part of a training program, and it places Etown in a league of its own when it comes to sports science and student-athlete care.”
The HPL’s services include assessing functional movement, anthropometrics, metabolic testing, and muscle strength and power. Myers said he uses the data from these tests every day in his
endurance running training. He plans to use the lactate threshold data he received as he continues to train for the Boston Marathon in April, which he qualified for at the Hamptons Marathon in 2021.
“I started training for upcoming spring races in December and I have used the data to construct every workout in my training plan,” said Myers. “Using the data, I was able to run a personal record in the half marathon of 1:08:18! The lab test will also serve as a baseline to determine if I am improving physiologically from my training methods.”
Myers was a standout student-athlete during his time at Etown as a two-time Landmark Conference Champion in track & field (10,000 meter – 2019 Outdoor and 5,000 meter – 2020 Indoor). He also earned a pair of All-Conference accolades in cross country in 2018 and 2019 and was All-Region during the 2019 cross country season.
He says his experiences as a Blue Jay cultivated his appreciation for health and fitness.
“Through the teachings and inspiration of coach (Brian) Falk and the culture of the team, I learned to love competition and fitness,” said Myers. “I still run with my teammates from Etown and have even connected with alumni that were on the team before I was a student. My experiences as an athlete at Etown helped shape health and fitness to be a core part of my life.”
