Methods and equipment
The Human Physiology Lab (Humanlab) provides a broad range of methods for invasive and non-invasive assessment of human physiological function, with particular depth in skeletal muscle and cardiovascular physiology.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing at Humanlab, the Human Physiology Lab at Karolinska Institutet.
Photo: Elisa Heyrman
The methods and equipment available at the lab are listed below, grouped by type of measurement. Neurophysiological measurements are carried out together with ME Clinical Neurophysiology.
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Echocardiography
- Vascular ultrasound
- Static and dynamic spirometry
- Magnetic resonance imaging
Carried out in collaboration with the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for cardiac structure and function
- 4D flow MRI for blood flow and haemodynamics
- Isokinetic dynamometry (Biodex)
- Handgrip dynamometry
- Force and power assessment, including force platforms
- Muscle architecture by ultrasound
- Body composition by MRI
Carried out in collaboration with ME Clinical Neurophysiology.
- Needle and surface electromyography (EMG), including high-density EMG
- Motor and sensory nerve stimulation, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Heart rate variability (HRV)
- Sympathetic skin response
- Sleep studies
- Cardiovascular catheterisation
- Total blood volume measurement
- Arterial stiffnes
- Muscle, fat and skin biopsies.
- Blood sampling
- Cycle ergometers
- Arm crank ergometers
- Flywheel exercise equipment
- Weight stack exercise equipment
- Force platforms
- Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) chamber
- Anthropometric assessment
- Physical activity monitoring (accelerometers)
- Biological tissue handling, with -80°C freezers and refrigeration units