Human Performance Lab

Located in Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall on UNL’s City Campus, the Human Performance Laboratory operates under the co-direction of Dr. Terry Housh and Dr. Haley Bergstrom. The Human Performance Laboratory is a student-centered, integrated research and teaching laboratory that focuses on applied and translational science with the goal of improving health, fitness, and performance outcomes across the lifespan. The lab serves as a cornerstone for advanced studies in exercise physiology and sports nutrition while serving two essential functions: 

  • Providing a dynamic educational environment where research serves as a teaching tool and undergraduate and graduate students engage with advanced concepts through hands-on learning experiences
  • Conducting research in a state-of-the-art facility to advance the knowledge of human performance optimization and physiological adaptations across diverse populations

Housed within the Human Performance Laboratory are combined research and educational spaces that offer the capability to measure physiological responses and performance outcomes to field- and laboratory-based exercise protocols. Faculty and students within the lab investigate neuromuscular, metabolic, and cardiovascular changes associated with acute and chronic training interventions. Research areas include muscle function and neuromuscular fatigue, adaptive responses to resistance training, nutritional supplement interventions, training methodologies for cardiorespiratory endurance, and more. 

Abstract graphic of a running figure in red and black with binary code background.

Research Techniques and Equipment


Anthropometrics, Body Composition, and Muscle Morphology

  • Anthropometers 
  • Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer
  • GE Ultrasound System
  • Skinfold Calipers
  • Underwater Weighing Body Composition System
     

 

NSCA logo with text "National Strength and Conditioning Association" and a weightlifting graphic.


Cardiopulmonary Assessment

  • COSMED Metabolic Cart
  • Lode Corival Cycle Ergometers
  • Monark Cycle Ergometers
  • Nasiff CardioCard EKG System
  • Parvo Medics TrueOne 2400 Metabolic Carts
  • TrackMaster Treadmill
     

 

American College of Sports Medicine logo with caduceus symbol and "Leading the Way" tagline.


Strength and Power Assessments

  • Biodex System 3 & 4 Dynamometers
  • Free Weights 
  • Monark 894E Peak Bike for Wingate Anaerobic Testing
  • TENDO Units
  • Tendeq Digital Force Sensor
  • Vertec Vertical Jump Assessment

 


Neuromuscular Function

  • Biopac Data Acquisition System
  • Delsys High Density EMG System 
  • Digitimer Nerve Stimulator 
  • Mechanomyographic Accelerometers 
     

Vascular Function

  • Hokanson Rapid Cuff Inflator E20 System
  • Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Sensors (PortaMon, Train.Red, Moxy)
  • GE Ultrasound System

 

Faculty

 

Terry Housh

Terry Housh
Professor
thoush1@unl.edu
Bio

 

Haley Bergstrom

Haley Bergstrom
Associate Professor
hbergstrom3@unl.edu
Bio

 

Current Graduate Students

 

Antonio Cristani
Alaina Kuhn
Justin Pioske
Trevor Roberts

 

Doctoral Graduates

2026

  • Dolores Ortega, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      California State University Fullerton

2024

  • Tyler Neltner, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science
      Eastern Kentucky University

  • Robert (Bobby) Smith, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science
      Lindenwood University

2022

  • John Paul (JP) Anders, Ph.D. 

    • Research Scientist, Human Performance Collaborative
      The Ohio State University

2020

  • Joshua Keller, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation
      University of North Texas

2019

  • Ethan Hill, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor, Schold of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

  • Cory Smith, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
      Baylor University 

2016

  • Kristen Snyman, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor, Department of Exercise Science
      Point Loma Nazarene University

2014

  • Haley Bergstrom, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences
      University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

2011

  • Clayton Camic, Ph.D.

    • Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education
      Northern Illinois University

  • Jorge Zuniga, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Department of Biomechanics
      University of Nebraska-Omaha

2009

  • Michelle Mielke, Ph.D.

2007

  • Moh Malek, Ph.D.

    • Professor, Department of Health Care Sciences
      Wayne State University 

  • Travis Beck, Ph.D. (Deceased)

2005

  • Jared Coburn, Ph.D.

    • Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      California State University-Fullerton

  • Joel Cramer, Ph.D.

    • Professor, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

2003

  • Dave Pavlat, Ed.D. 

    • Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      University of Iowa

2001

  • Anthony Bull, Ph.D. 

    • Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Human Biology and Kinesiology
      Colorado College

  • Sharon Perry, Ph.D. 

    • Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Exercise Physiology
      Ohio University

2000

  • Kyle Ebersole, Ph.D. 

    • Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

1998

  • Tammy Evetovich, Ph.D.

    • Chancellor
      University of Wisconsin-Platteville

  • Doug Smith, Ph.D.

    • Professor, Department of Exercise Science, Health Promotion, and Therapeutic Recreation
      Oklahoma State University

1995

  • Jeff Stout, Ph.D.

    • Professor and Founding Director, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

1993

  • Joan Ekerson, Ph.D. 

    • Professor and Chair, Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions
      Creighton University 

  • Joyce Schlike, Ph.D.

  • Joe Weir, Ph.D. 

    • Professor, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science
      University of Kansas

  • Loree Weir, Ph.D. 

    • Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science
      University of Kansas

1992

  • Karen Knortz, Ph.D. (Deceased)

1991

  • Sharon McDowell-Larsen, Ph.D.

    • Senior Associate, Exercise Physiologist Americas
      Center for Creative Leadership

1987

  • Roger Hughes, Ph.D.

    • President
      Doane University

 

Master's Graduates

2016

  • Ethan Hill, M.S.

    • Associate Professor, Schold of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

  • Cory Smith, M.S. 

    • Associate Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation
      Baylor University 
       

2013

  • Robert Lewis, M.S.

2011

  • Haley Bergstrom, M.S.

    • Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences
      University of Nebraska-Lincoln
       

2004

  • Travis Beck, M.S. (Deceased) 

2001

  • Joel Cramer, M.P.E. 

    • Professor, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

1998

  • Anthony Bull, M.P.E. 

    • Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Human Biology and Kinesiology
      Colorado College

  • Sharon Perry, M.P.E. 

    • Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Exercise Physiology
      Ohio University

1996

  • Kyle Ebersole, M.P.E. 

    • Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

1995

  • Tammy Evetovich, M.P.E.

    • Chancellor
      University of Wisconsin-Platteville

1994

  • Doug Smith, M.S.

    • Professor, Department of Exercise Science, Health Promotion, and Therapeutic Recreation
      Oklahoma State University

1992

  • Jeff Soucie, M.P.E.

  • Jeff Stout, M.P.E 

    • Professor, Founding Director, School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences
      University of Central Florida

  • Bruce Warner, M.P.E. 

1991

  • Dave Pavlat, M.P.E. 

    • Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology
      University of Iowa

  • Merell Pepper, M.P.E.

1990

  • Rommie Hughes, M.P.E.

    • M.D. | Physician

  • Robert Schwab, M.P.E.

    • M.D. | Pediatrician 

  • Loree Weir, M.P.E.

    • Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science
      University of Kansas

  • Joe Weir, M.P.E.

    • Professor, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science
      University of Kansas

1988

  • Kathryn Kenney, M.P.E.

  • Alan Ryan, M.P.E.
     

1987

  • Sharon McDowell-Larsen, M.P.E.

    • Senior Associate, Exercise Physiologist Americas
      Center for Creative Leadership

  • Lori Nebelsick-Gullett, M.P.E.

  • Dawn Powell, M.P.E. (Deceased)

Publications from Current Students and Program Graduates
2022-Present

2026

2025

2024

2023

  • Ortega, D.G., T.J. Housh, R.W. Smith, J.E. Arnett, T.J. Neltner, J.P.V. Anders, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Fatiguing joint angle does not influence torque and neuromuscular responses following sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to perceptual intensity. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 8, 2023: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8030114.

  • Arnett, J.E., R.W. Smith, T.J. Neltner, J.P.V. Anders, D.G. Ortega, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Performance fatigability and neuromuscular responses are not joint angle specific following a sustained isometric forearm flexion task anchored to a high perceptual intensity in women. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 23:299-307, 2023.

  • Arnett, J.E., R.W. Smith, T.J. Neltner, J.P.V. Anders, D.G. Ortega, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Effects of joint angle in inter- and intra-individual variability for women during isometric fatiguing tasks anchored to a perceptual intensity. American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 11:7-21, 2023.

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.E. Arnett, J.P.V. Anders, T.J. Neltner, D.G. Ortega, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. The effects of anchor scheme and sex on performance fatigability and neuromuscular responses following sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks to failure. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online 26:69-92, 2023.

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.P.V Anders, T.J. Neltner, J.E. Arnett, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Application of the RPE-Clamp model to examine the effects of joint angle on the time-course of torque and neuromuscular responses during a sustained, isometric forearm flexion task to failure. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 37:1023-1033, 2023.

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.E. Arnett, J.P.V. Anders, T.J. Neltner, D.G. Ortega, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. The effects of anchor scheme on performance fatigability, neuromuscular responses, and the perceived sensations that contributed to task termination. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 8, 2023: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020049. 

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.E. Arnett, J.P.V. Anders, T.J. Neltner, D.G. Ortega, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Utilizing the RPE-Clamp model to examine interactions among factors associated with perceived fatigability and performance fatigability in women and men. European Journal of Applied Physiology 123:1397-1409, 2023. 

  • Salmon, O.F., T.J. Housh, E.C. Hill, J.L. Keller, J.P. Anders, G.O. Johnson, R.J. Schmidt, and C.J. Smith. Changes in neuromuscular response patterns following 4-weeks of leg press training during isokinetic leg extensions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 37:e405-e412, 2023.

  • Arnett, J.E., R.W. Smith, T.J. Neltner, J.P.V. Anders, D.G. Ortega, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. The effects of joint angle and anchoring scheme on performance fatigability and neuromuscular responses following isometric forearm flexion tasks to failure. NeuroSports 1, 2023: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/neurosports.

  • Neltner, T.J, P.K. Sahoo, R.W. Smith, J.P.V. Anders, J.E. Arnett, D.G. Ortega, R.J. Schmidt, G.O. Johnson, S.K. Natarajan, and T.J. Housh. Effects of high-intensity, eccentric-only muscle actions on serum biomarkers of collagen degradation and synthesis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 37:1729-1737, 2023.

2022

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.P.V. Anders, T.J. Neltner, J.E. Arnett, D.G. Ortega, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Torque and neuromuscular responses are not joint angle dependent during a sustained, isometric task anchored to a high perceptual intensity. American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 10:29-39, 2022.

  • Gillen, Z.M., T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, T.J. Herda, R.J. DeAyala, M.E. Shoemaker, and J.T. Cramer. Differences in neuromuscular responses during isometric muscle actions before and after pubescence. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise 2022: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00199-5.

  • Smith, R.W., T.J. Housh, J.P.V Anders, T.J. Neltner, J.E. Arnett, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Time course of changes in torque and neuromuscular parameters during a sustained isometric forearm flexion task to fatigue anchored to a constant rating of perceived exertion. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 22:455-464, 2022.

  • Neltner, T.J., J.P.V. Anders, R.W. Smith, J.E. Arnett, J.L. Keller, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Coactivation does not contribute to fatigue-indiced decreases in torque during reciprocal, isokinetic muscle actions. Isokinetics and Exercise Science 30:311-324, 2022.

  • Neltner, T.J., R.W. Smith, J.E. Arnett, J.P.V. Anders, J.L. Keller, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. No effect of coactivation on fatigue-induced decreases in isokinetic and isometric torque in healthy young male adults. Human Movement Science 86, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2022.103002.

  • Arnett, J.E., R.W. Smith, T.J. Neltner, J.P.V Anders, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. The RPE clamp model and fatigability following a sustained isometric task to failure. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online 25:13-26, 2022.

  • Keller, J.L., T.J. Housh, E.C. Hill, C.M. Smith, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Are there sex-specific neuromuscular or force responses to fatiguing isometric muscle actions anchored to a high perceptual intensity? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36:156-161, 2022.

  • Garrett, J., J.L. Keller, J.P. Anders, K. Hergenrader, T.J. Neltner, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Echo intensity is weakly associated with muscular strength and endurance in young, healthy adults. Research in Sports Medicine  30:371-382, 2022.

  • Neltner, T.J., J.P.V. Anders, J.L. Keller, R.W. Smith, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Velocity-specific coactivation and neuromuscular responses to fatiguing, reciprocal, isokinetic, forearm flexion and extension muscle actions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36:649-660, 2022. 

  • Proppe, C.E., P.M. Rivera, E.C. Hill, T.J. Housh, J.L. Keller, C.M. Smith, J.P.V Anders. R.J. Schmidt, G.O. Johnson, and J.T. Cramer. The effects of blood flow restriction resistance training on indices of delayed onset muscle soreness and peak power. Isokinetics and Exercise Science 30:167-175, 2022.

  • Neltner, T.J., J.P.V. Anders, R.W. Smith, J.E. Arnett, J.L. Keller, T.J. Housh, R.J. Schmidt, and G.O. Johnson. Coactivation Does Not Contribute to Fatigue-Induced Decreases in Isokinetic Forearm Flexion and Extension Torque. Journal of Science in Sports and Exercise 2022, DOI 10.1007/s42978-022-00194-w.