Work on physiology at King's

Physiology testingBuilding on Hanson's achievements, important studies were carried out during the 1980s both at Chelsea College and King's College, with which it eventually merged.

These focused on measuring the amount of work done by muscles or groups of muscles in the human body using instruments such as the treadmill and the ergometer, which comprises a bicycle or rowing machine and breathing apparatus to measure respiration.

The ergometer is now regularly used to gauge the power output of athletes and improve performance by designing individual fitness programmes.

testingThis is especially useful in sports requiring a high cardiovascular input and long endurance such as swimming, rowing and cycling.

The results have also provided insights into the treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases and to test the fitness of people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy.

Later research at King's has focussed on the treatment and rehabilitation of knee and other injuries using a resistance ergometer.

Measuring lung function and blood flow are an important part of training for modern athletes. King's worked in association with leading hospitals such as London's Royal Brompton to improve such measurement techniques.

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