Grant M. Tinsley, Ph.D.

Researcher: Grant M. Tinsley, Ph.D.

Title: Assistant Professor in Exercise Physiology

Laboratory: Room 120A, Energy Balance & Body Composition Laboratory

 

 

 

Personal Statement

Dr. Tinsley has 5 years of experience conducting research in humans. He currently directs the Energy Balance & Body Composition Laboratory and supervises the Body Composition Assessment Laboratory. His background includes the study of lifestyle interventions to improve body composition and research concerning optimal assessment methodology for human body composition. Dr. Tinsley has received private funding to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary supplement to reduce muscle breakdown during fasting (2016-2017). His current research focus is i) evaluating novel lifestyle interventions (including exercise, nutrition and supplementation) to improve body composition and health and ii) describing the agreement and bias between different body composition and energy expenditure assessment tools across diverse populations.

Application of Expertise to Health Disparity Research

Dr. Tinsley plans to integrate health disparities into upcoming body composition research studies. This research will provide information concerning the reliability and accuracy of different methods of body composition and energy expenditure assessment in various racial and ethnic groups, including underserved populations. There are known racial differences in body composition and energy expenditure which have not been fully explored with all available assessment methods. Accurate assessment of body composition and energy expenditure are critical for informing obesity research and clinical practice. Additionally, due to racial differences in prevalence of obesity, it is important to validate longstanding and novel assessment methods in multiple racial groups and across all ages.

Laboratory Skills and Capabilities

• Measure total fat mass using a 4-compartment model, bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and single frequency BIA
• Measure regional fat mass using multi-frequency BIA and BIS
• Measure total and regional fat-free mass and skeletal muscle mass using multi-frequency BIA and BIS
• Measure total body water, intracellular water and extracellular water using multi-frequency BIA or BIS
• Evaluate electrical parameters of the body (i.e. phase angle, resistance, reactance and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis [BIVA])
• Assess resting energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry
• Assess substrate utilization using indirect calorimetry
• Assess body composition and resting energy expenditure outside of the laboratory environment using portable BIA/BIS and indirect calorimetry devices
• Evaluation of validity and reliability of novel and consumer-grade devices which purportedly measure body composition (i.e. fat mass and fat-free mass) or resting energy expenditure
• Implement of nutrition and dietary supplementation protocols
• Assess blood pressure and heart rate using an automated sphygmomanometer
• Analyze data using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel

Laboratory Equipment

• Multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (Seca mBCA 514)
• Indirect Calorimeter (ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400)
• Portable Indirect Calorimeter (Cosmed FitMate WM)
• Bioimpedance Spectroscopy analyzer (Impedimed SOZO) - Arriving Fall 2017
• Portable Bioimpedance Spectroscopy analyzer (Impedimed SBF7) - Arriving Fall 2017
• Single frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzers (Tanita)
• Portable consumer-grade devices for validation (Breezing indirect calorimeters and Skulpt bioelectrical impedance analyzers)
• Medical bed for energy expenditure and body composition assessment in the supine position
• Seca digital scale with stadiometer
• Omron automated sphygmomanometer
• 2 computer stations for data analysis and student researchers
• Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner (GE Lunar Prodigy) is located adjacent to this laboratory in the Body Composition Assessment Laboratory and is frequently used in conjunction with the equipment in the Energy Balance & Body Composition Laboratory