Vascular Health Laboratory

The Vascular Health Laboratory (VHL) is located in the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, directed by Dr. Arturo Figueroa. The primary research focus of the VHL is to investigate the relationships between vascular (macro and micro) function, muscular fitness (sarcopenia and dynapenia), and exercise capacity in aging, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. The primary interventions used in the VHL are resistance exercise training and L-citrulline supplementation. Current research projects include using a 4-week L-citrulline intervention to enhance endothelial function in prediabetic middle-aged and older women. Another study involves testing older adults' vascular function at rest and during submaximal handgrip and plantar flexion exercise.  The VHL also collaborates with other faculty focusing on vascular function, body composition, and dietary supplementations.

The VHL is currently equipped with:

•  Ultrasound device [GE LogiQ S7 R3] with edge detection software (Quipu) to measure macrovascular endothelial function and blood flow
•  Two Artinis MKII Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) devices, one NIRO-200 NX device, and an Endo-Pat 2000 to measure microvascular endothelial function
•  A Finometer MIDI to measure peripheral blood pressures, cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity, and hemodynamics
•  SphygmoCor Xcel, SphygmoCor CPV, and Complior Analyse to measure blood pressures, wave reflections, and arterial stiffness
•  Cholestech LDX to measure glucose, cholesterol, and lipids
•   A Laser Doppler Blood Flow monitor [Moor Instruments] to measure skin blood flow
• A Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) chamber to elicit sympathoexcitation.

Katherine Dillon, Mauricio Martinez, and Yejin Kang have M. S. degrees in Exercise Physiology from California Baptist University, California State Long Beach, and Incheon National University, respectively. All three students have extensive training in vascular physiology and are PhD candidates. Dr. Figueroa is looking for additional highly motivated graduate (M. S. and Ph. D.) students to join the VHL. If interested, please contact Dr. Figueroa.

Ongoing Studies

• Effects of 4 Weeks of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Vascular Function in Prediabetic Middle-Aged and Older Women During Fasted and Acute Hyperglycemiamia

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