kinesiology & exerCIse sCIenCe SODA STUDY II Turley researches caffeine effects Does caffeine pump children's hearts up or slow them down? Dr. Ken Turley, assistant professor of kinesiology, and a pair of graduate students set out to determine exactly what the effects of caffeine were on children's metabolic and cardiovascular responses. Turley said he wanted to conduct the research because of the little research that has been done on the physical effects. The research consisted of several phases. The first phase began in September and carried through May. Turley hoped after the first phase was completed, he would receive funding to continue further research. "I hope we can use this da ta to secure funding for further research," Turley said. 'Td like to look at the effects of more advanced cardiovascular [areas]." Graduate assistants Jonathon Gerst and Leslie Kukta assisted with the study. Gerst and Kukta collected data by giving 52 children a small dose of caffeine or placebo at different times throughout the semester. An hour after the dose of caffeine was given, Gerst and Kukta tested each child's heart rate and began monitoring each child. "Jonathon and Leslie were both really hard workers," Turley said. "The conducted most of the testing while I did mostly paperwork." During the first two visits the child was administered an oxygen test, which determined how physically fit the child was. The remaining four visits consisted of bike-riding and different tests to show the child's metabolism. Gerst said most people never thought about the effects of caffeine on children. "When you actually see it every day, it hits home a lot more," he said. - Natalie Wade and Renee Lewis Freshmen Tyler Parks and Courtnie Bristow wait to enter a racquetball court in the Ganus Athletic Center Jan 27. "I enjoyed racquetball not 17811academics only because it is fun to play, but also because it is a great way to get exercise," Parks said. (Photo by Russell Keck) Freshman Jessica Jones lifts weights in the Ganus Athletic Center gym in January. The gym, which was remodeled in 2002, served as an education tool for the kinesiology department. (Photo by Russell Keck)
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