Exercise science major Maddie Wheatcroft performs a test on the treadmill administered by faculty and students in the HHP Sports Lab. Photo by Angela Foster.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Health and Human Performance Sports Lab is setting the stage for students to dive deep into careers in sports science, exercise physiology and public health.
Through a collaboration with Fast Break Athletics, a local running specialty store, the lab offers hands-on learning opportunities that translate into real-world skills—all while strengthening Chattanooga’s fitness community.
Hands-on learning for future professionals
At the core of the lab’s mission is its commitment to preparing students for life after graduation. Exercise and public health students at UTC are doing more than just learning about fitness testing—they’re operating advanced equipment, interpreting results and working directly with athletes from Chattanooga.
“Our students aren’t just observers, they’re active participants in every step of the testing process. This hands-on approach gives them the confidence and skills they’ll need in the field,” said Dr. Kara Hamilton, director of the HHP Sports Lab, a UC Foundation associate professor and the Exercise and Health Sciences program coordinator.
Students conduct VO2 max tests, lactate threshold assessments and resting metabolic rate tests in the lab, gaining valuable experience that helps them hone skills they’ll use in careers from personal training to sports science research.
During a recent session, graduate assistant Carrie Walden guided Maddie Wheatcroft, an undergraduate exercise science major, through a VO2 max test. Smith, who also works at Fast Break Athletics, got to experience firsthand how the lab connects academic learning with practical application.
“It’s one thing to learn the material, but it’s a completely different experience to actually put it into practice. Being able to explain complex data and results to real clients, not just fellow students, has been incredibly valuable,” said Walden.
Senior exercise and health sciences major Emma Kate Rosenberger, left, and Dr. Kara Hamilton in the HHP Sports Lab.
Community partnership with Fast Break Athletics
The lab’s partnership with Fast Break Athletics is a crucial part of its potential to grow and serve the community. A longtime fixture in Chattanooga’s running community, Fast Break connects local athletes with the lab to offer top-tier performance testing. Athletes, from casual joggers to elite competitors, sign up for testing through the store’s website, and the assessments are conducted by UTC faculty and students using state-of-the-art equipment.
“Working with UTC gives our clients a higher level of credibility in their results and it provides the students with experience they wouldn’t get elsewhere,” said Alan Outlaw, owner of Fast Break Athletics.
Registration is available for those interested in taking part in the testing through the Fast Break website, where athletes can select their desired assessments and schedule appointments with the UTC lab.
Making elite fitness testing accessible
Chattanooga’s running and fitness community can now access high-level performance testing right here in the city, offering a convenient option that’s often associated with larger sports science labs. The testing now available in the HHP Sports Lab is designed to improve an athlete’s sustainable pace through personalized, high-quality performance assessments.
But it’s not just for elite athletes. Whether a seasoned runner or someone just starting out, these tests offer insights into how to train smarter to improve fitness.
“We don’t just give athletes their test results. We ensure they understand what the data means and how to apply it to their training,” Hamilton added.
A vision for the future
As the lab continues to grow, there are plans to expand testing services and increase interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments at UTC, said HHP Associate Professor and Department Head Eric Hungenberg.
The lab’s mission is clear: to advance research in sports science, empower students through hands-on learning and promote health and fitness within the Chattanooga community.
With a strong foundation built around hands-on experience and community engagement, UTC’s HHP Sports Lab is positioned to become a leading resource for both education and performance testing.
“Students here are applying what they learn in the classroom to real people, real tests and real situations,” Hungenberg said.
Learn more
UTC Health and Human Performance
Photo gallery by Angela Foster
Exercise science major Emma Kate Rosenberger, left, and graduate student Carrie Walden.
