HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Exercise Research Center (ERC), located at the Hershey Center for Applied Research across from the College of Medicine campus, provides 4,500 square feet of dedicated research space for exercise-based study visits to Penn State researchers.

Body composition can be collected through a DXA scanner, resting metabolic rate system, BODPOD, anthropometric measures, skinfold calipers, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Exercise testing equipment includes a VO2 metabolic system, a Biodex, resting ECG, treadmills, weight machines, bikes and a multi-station, resistance training unit. 

The ERC is an extension of the Clinical Research Center at Hershey. Clinical Research Centers are located at both Hershey and University Park campuses and provide dedicated space and infrastructure, including nursing staff, for human subject research visits. Hershey also includes an observation suite, and University Park has nutritional services capabilities. 

“The ERC is very unique in what the lab can offer researchers,” Kristin DiSanto, ERC manager, said. “There is ample space available for consenting participants, collecting vital information and offering general space for exercise and movement tests.”

DiSanto, who holds a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, can also run exercise and body composition testing for research studies. 

Additionally, convenient parking is available for both researchers and study participants. 

DiSanto joined Penn State in 2014 as the manager for a newly created research lab within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She equipped and furnished that lab to conduct human subject research in body composition, exercise physiology, locomotor training and gait analysis. DiSanto oversaw the research lab's daily operations, acted as research coordinator for studies, mentored medical and graduate students, and conducted hundreds of research tests in the lab.  

“I became interested in research during my graduate program,” DiSanto said. “I was very intrigued seeing the forefront of innovation in the medical community through research and how these studies advanced both medical knowledge and treatment, particularly as they related to exercise physiology. I love being able to work with researchers that have a passion for exercise and physical activity and to provide a unique space that allows the implementation of human research on healthy individuals as well as those with diseases.”

The lab that DiSanto equipped and managed for nine years is now part of Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute, giving greater access to the Penn State community to its valuable resources and equipment.  

Usage of the Exercise Research Center is low cost for researchers. Researchers can initiate use of the space through the Clinical Research Center application process. Learn more here.