Tallahassee, Florida - The future of sports science takes a leap forward with a new laboratory at Florida State University.

The university unveiled its Human Performance Laboratory on Friday. Sports research teams will study all kinds of variables linked to athletic performance, such as speed, strength, agility, body composition and balance.

The lab uses specialized equipment to measure those things. A stationary bike equipped with sensors and linked to a computer measures how many watts a cyclist can put out in a burst of acceleration. That information shows exactly how much power an athlete can generate over a period of time.

The lab also has a machine called the Biodex Balance System, which precisely measures someone's ability to balance. The equipment can be an important tool for an athlete recovering from a concussion. >>

The Wharton Wildcats athletes and USF sports medicine students benefit from a state-of-the-art training facility at Wharton High School.

"We've been fortunate through the school's budget and through donations to acquire some great equipment," said Kocher.

Most notable of the devices in the facility is the Biodex Isokinetic and Rehab Machine, which, according to Kocher, "tests and helps rehab virtually every joint in the body.

"It measures how hard the muscles around a certain joint are working to perform basic movements. If we see that muscles around a certain injured joint are working harder than the muscles around the good side, we can determine if the player is ready to get back on the field or not," he said. >>

Preventing serious injuries before they occur? Sounds like a futurist idea, however it is a growing reality for many patients. Cutting edge technology from Senior Rehab Solutions is making a big difference in the lives of seniors recovering from knee, back and hop-related injuries as well as others, and stopping them before they start.

Step inside Red Oak Health and Rehabilitation Center for a close up look.

The new Biodex Balance System SD at the KORT Springhurst clinic is getting a real workout as physical therapists use it to assess and treat patients with a wide variety of conditions including: vestibular and balance issues, concussions, falls, orthopedic injuries, and rehabilitation following knee and hip replacement surgery.

Biodex is the latest in computerized rehab technology featuring a computerized platform and touch-screen control panel for patients with balance conditions that may place them at increased risk of potentially fatal falls.

"The population who can benefit from Biodex Balance System testing and conditioning is enormous. Prior to having this machine, it was very difficult for us to simulate real world conditions such as uneven pavement or moving surfaces, which made it hard to really determine the extent of a patient's balance problem. Now with Biodex, we can more accurately simulate everyday movements and get a better idea of the patient's deficiencies. >>

Dr. Chris Doyle at Planet Health is offering Biodex Isokinetic muscle testing to help provide clients with improved results and shorter recovery times. The new Biodex Isokinetic muscle testing is a great tool for patients who need a faster rehabilitation process, and also for patients who are undergoing therapy. The new technology applies to most athletes who suffered an injury and need a fast and instant check-up to find the root cause of the injury.

Biodex Isokinetic is for testing and rehabilitating muscle imbalances and deficiencies due to injury, improper training or post-surgery. It is imperative to overall performance in any sport or activity.

"It is an invaluable, objective tool to evaluate and specifically target rehab for muscle imbalance or weakness due to injury, or post-surgery," said Dr. Chris Doyle of Planet Health..... >>