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Alumni Awards 2024

Performance Testing Centre

BASES logo

Our team of qualified sport and exercise scientists offer a range of services designed to support your general health, training and performance demands at our BASES accredited state-of-the-art facilities. See below and/or contact us for further information about the tests or to book an appointment.

Our aim is to help optimise your health and performance through:

We can offer a complete package tailored to the exercising individual, the aspiring athlete and the complete sports team.

Physiological fitness and health assessments

We offer a range of comprehensive, scientific and practical tests designed to assess cardiovascular fitness and markers of health and performance, these include:

VO2 max test being performed at Performance Testing Centre

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) with written report: £90.00

Determination of maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max), is the gold standard measure of aerobic capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness, which is essential for successful endurance performance.

Test procedures involve a multistage graded exercise test (e.g. 1 min intervals) designed to achieve exhaustion. Oxygen consumption is monitored continuously throughout the test via a breath-by-breath gas analyser connected to a facemask. Heart rate is also monitored continuously throughout the test to elicit a maximum heart rate.

Your data will be presented in the form of a written report and will include oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). All data will be explained fully within the report. The test can be performed on an ergometer of choice (e.g. exercise/road bike, treadmill or rower), dependent on the individual’s preference.

Test time approximately one hour.

NOTE: In some cases a sub-maximal test may be recommended over a maximal test. Data from the submaximal test can be extrapolated to provide an estimate of maximal oxygen consumption without emphasising the need for the individual to exercise until exhaustion. Submaximal testing may be of particular use for routine fitness monitoring, or for special populations with certain exercise contraindications (e.g. those with cardiovascular or respiratory implications). The test protocol involves an incremental exercise test to set criteria, performed on an ergometer of choice dependent on the individual’s preference.

Test time approximately one hour.

 VO2 max at Performance Testing Centre

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) with lactate profile and written report: £126.00

Whilst V̇O2max demonstrates maximal aerobic capacity, lactate threshold testing can provide the athlete with a heart rate or exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate rapidly in the bloodstream.

Test procedures involve capillary blood sampling (fingertip prick) during a multistage incremental exercise test (4 min stages) to determine blood lactate levels. Heart rate is also monitored continuously throughout the test.

The exercise intensity and heart rate at which the lactate threshold occurs can be used to construct heart rate based training zones. Training at/above the lactate threshold can improve the intensity at which the threshold occurs and is often used in endurance training. All data will be explained within the written report. Gas analysis can be assessed simultaneously, if required. The test can be performed on an ergometer of choice (e.g. exercise/road bike, treadmill or rower), dependent on the individual’s preference.

Test time approximately one hour.

Health screen - Thumbnail

Health screen: £65.00

The health screen involves several tests, including: (i) Blood pressure measurement; (ii) Haematocrit, Haemoglobin and Glucose testing; (iii) Body composition assessment. Test time approximately one hour.

i) Blood pressure measurement:

Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate can be assessed via an automatic blood pressure monitor (British Hypertensive Society approved). This is a quick process and measurements are typically provided within 30 seconds of the reading. Your results will be compared to recommended values.

ii) Haematocrit, Haemoglobin and Glucose:

Haemoglobin (Hb) is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that increases the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Haematocrit (Ht) is the ratio of red blood cells to total blood volume. From a health and performance point of views, Hb and Ht levels should be within the recommended range. The measurement of Hb and Ht can be used as an early warning of iron deficiency / anemia (when the reading is lower than the norm). Your results will be compared to recommended values.

The glucose reading will tell us the concentration of sugar in your blood. A too high level of glucose (hyperglycemia) is likely to be caused by diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia also causes a decrease in cognitive performance.

iii) Body composition assessment:

Body composition is estimated via Bioelectrical impedance analysis:

During this test, body composition (fat mass, fat free mass, estimated muscle mass) is assessed via the method of bioelectrical impedance, where very small electrical signals are passed through the body from four metal electrodes in contact with the hands and feet. This is a quick, pain free process and measurements are typically provided within 30 seconds of the reading. Your results will be compared to recommended values.

Following the above assessments, feedback and advice will be provided and a detailed report will be send by e-mail.

Isokinetic dynamometry for assessment or rehabilitatio - Thumbnail

Isokinetic dynamometry for assessment or rehabilitation: £70.00

Isokinetic dynamometry is the preferred technique for the determination of muscular strength.

Measurements can be performed across a range of joints, with the knee being the most common site tested. An isokinetic assessment can be used to monitor the effectiveness of an exercise intervention, or to aid rehabilitation from injury. The test results can be used to establish muscle imbalances or weaknesses that require improvement (e.g. quadriceps: hamstring ratio; limb deficits).

Testing takes between 30-45 minutes to complete.

Bod pod set up - sports facility

Bod Pod - Body composition: £60

A Bod Pod is used to estimate body composition.

A Bod Pod is used to estimate body composition. The Bod-Pod uses Air-Displacement Plethysmography technique and is one of the gold standard techniques to quantify precisely body fat and fat free masses. Height, weight and body composition are measured to allow comparison with sport-specific and/or healthy ranges. The results will be compared to reference values and advice will be given accordingly.

Nutritional analysis

Nutrition thumbnail

Food diary consultation and advice: £60.00

Consuming the right balance of nutrients and energy intake are key to optimal health as well as maximising sporting performance.

Eating real and nutrient dense foods is key to optimal health as well as maximising sporting performance. Prior to the consultation, you will be asked to keep a food diary for a week which we will analyse to make individualised recommendations. Meals, food ideas, timings and fasting will be discussed as well as some aspects of the physiology of human nutrition (e.g., insulin resistance, gluconeogenesis).

Session time: one hour.

The staff were very professional… results from my lactate profile helped me to tailor my training and achieve my goals.

Scott Wilkins, GB Ultra Endurance Athlete

Psychological assessment

Psychological assessment

Psychological assessment and intervention: £75.00

You will work collaboratively with a practitioner to identify your psychological strengths and needs and will be taught tailored techniques that will support your training and/or performance.

This service involves working with a British Psychological Society Chartered Sports Psychologist (HCPC registered) or individuals under supervised training towards Chartered or Accredited status in a one-to-one and/or group setting. Over the course of a number of pre-determined sessions you will work collaboratively with the practitioner to identify your psychological strengths and needs (e.g. confidence enhancement, anxiety management, coping with pressure, dealing with injury, and strategies to enhance resilience and motivation) and you will be taught techniques (e.g. effective goal-setting, imagery, self-talk strategies) tailored to your needs that will support your training and/or performance. Follow-up sessions will be available to ensure that your needs are met.

Session time one hour.

What can you expect from your appointment?

Prior to your appointment you may be asked some questions regarding your current training and health status. This is so we can confirm the test you have chosen is both suitable and safe for you to complete. You will also be given full test details and any specific requirements to follow (e.g. refrain from high intensity exercise 48 hours prior to your appointment).

On arrival you will be met by the sport and exercise scientist who will talk you through the testing protocol and answer any questions you may have.

Following the test your results will be transcribed into a written report. Depending on your choice of test you may be able to discuss your results immediately with the sport and exercise scientist. For the more complex tests, the report will be emailed to you with a full explanation of results. If you have any questions about your results or require further explanation, this is available on request.

Whether you are an athlete, exercising individual or a coach, our recommendations are designed to support your overall training, performance and health goals. Follow-up sessions are highly recommended to monitor your progress.

Team testing

We also provide fitness testing for teams/clubs (e.g. pre-season testing). Tests may include laboratory based testing or field based testing. Prices for team testing can be discussed on an individual basis depending on your requirements.

Educational workshops

In addition, group or team workshops can be implemented to deliver applied aspects of:

  • Nutrition
  • Psychology
  • Exercise training and weight management

Prices for these workshops can be discussed on an individual basis depending on your requirements.



Contact us

Please email performancecentre@herts.ac.uk for further details and to book any of the tests above.

Please note we are currently taking bookings at the following times:

Monday13.00 - 15.00
15.00 - 17.00
Friday09.30 - 11.30
11.30 - 13.30