Performance Improvement Services
At the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial Hermann, highly trained human performance experts help every athlete – professional, competitive or recreational – to compete at their highest level of performance. As all athletes know, there is always a way to get better. Whether it’s getting better after an injury or getting better at your game, we are here for you.
For more information about Houston performance improvement testing for athletes, or to schedule an appointment, call 713.704.2200 and select option #2.
At the Institute’s state-of-the-art facility, we offer a comprehensive suite of performance testing and improvement services, including:
VO2 max
VO2 max is the peak oxygen usage of an athlete at maximum exercise and is measured in milliliters of oxygen. This metabolic test is an excellent indicator of aerobic fitness. Athletes with higher VO2 max values can tolerate higher exercise intensity and volume than those whose VO2 max values indicate lower levels of conditioning. Athletes with higher VO2 can also recover from anaerobic work more efficiently. VO2 max can be increased by workout intensities at specific sub-max VO2 percentages.
Lactate profile and estimate lactate threshold
Your lactate profile is a powerful and reliable predictor of performance in aerobic exercise. The body produces a performance-limiting substance called lactate during exercise. The lactate profile test determines the level of exercise intensity at which the body begins to produce this substance at a greater rate than it can be removed. Knowing your lactate profile will allow you to plan your training, raise your lactate threshold and increase your work intensity. Elite endurance athletes have a high lactate profile, typically 80 percent to 90 percent of their VO2 max.
Your lactate threshold can be estimated during the VO2 max test or it can be actually measured during the lactate profile test. The lactate profile test is similar to the VO2 max test, however the work stages are longer and blood samples are taken to determine your actual blood lactate concentration. During the V02 max test, the lactate threshold is estimated using metabolic parameters like VO2 & VCO2.
Body composition analysis
Body composition analysis measures the amount of fat versus lean muscle tissue as a percentage of an athlete’s total weight. We use hydrostatic weighing to measure body fat. Body mass and body composition in elite athletes vary by sport and can be improved with proper nutrition and exercise.
Basic biomechanical and gait analysis
Abnormal gait patterns and muscle imbalances can lead to foot, knee, hip or back disorders and poor sport performance. Our real-time motion capture system allows us to evaluate your sport specific walking, jumping, running, throwing or swing patterns. Using the video captured of you, our biomechanist breaks it down into a frame-by-frame slow-motion analysis of your mechanics. This analysis identifies biomechanical problems and helps determine the most appropriate therapy or conditioning regimen for injury prevention and performance enhancement.
Strength & Conditioning Training
Reach your peak performance with custom designed training sessions developed with your specific needs in mind. Whether your goal is to gain strength, improve conditioning or alter body composition, our tailor made training plan will help you gain a much needed edge over the competition.
Flexibility assessment
The flexibility assessment measures range of joint motion using a clinical goniometer. Assessment of flexibility can help to identify tight muscle groups that may be susceptible to injury.
Functional Movement Screen
Identify your weak links through a series of tests designed to expose insufficient, fundamental movement patterns. This is a must for beginning exercisers who are looking to increase their activity level, as well as the advanced athlete who is interested in monitoring movement pattern progress in the presence of developing fitness. A functional movement screen is also a valuable injury identification and prevention tool.
Sport Nutrition Assessment and Consultation
The nutrition assessment determines an athlete’s nutrition needs based on body type, sport, metabolic rate, and short- and long-term performance goals. Each consultation is unique to each athlete and includes specific recommendations to help athletes reach and maintain peak performance.
Resting Metabolic Rate Measurement
Measuring your resting metabolic rate tells you the amount of calories your body burns when at rest. Additional calories are added to the RMR to determine total calories needed per day. Knowing an athlete’s RMR can help with weight management and nutrition planning.
Calories Per Hour (Kcal/hour) Running or Cycling
The calories per hour expended while running or cycling can help you plan your nutrition for these activities. The calories expended per hour for running is calculated at various speeds while you run on a treadmill. The calories expended per hour for cycling is calculated while you ride your bicycle on a Computrainer® at either various cycling speeds or watts.
Sports Massage
Sports massage therapists understand the physical demandseach sport can place on an athlete’s body, and use this knowledge to helprelieve muscle stiffness, improve circulation and increase flexibility toprevent strains and tears. Whether your sport involves cycling, running,swimming, jumping or throwing, sports massage can help you improve yourperformance and stay on top of your game.