The Adaptive Human Performance Lab (AHPL) is a fully equipped 3,000 sq ft facility directed by Alex Evancho, PT, DPT and utilized by Jereme Wilroy, PhD.
The AHPL is a state-of-the-art, fully accessible research facility equipped with DXA scanning, InBody smart scales, arm crank and cycle ergometers, GAITRite walkways, and both stationary and portable metabolic testing systems like ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400 and COSMED K5. This infrastructure supports precise body composition, cardiovascular fitness, gait, and respiratory assessments, while offering supervised exercise programs and phlebotomy services within the lab for comprehensive participant care.
Building on its core capabilities, AHPL now integrates the CHIME (Cardiometabolic Health Intervention using Music and Exercise) project—an NIH-funded R01 grant led by Dr. Jereme Wilroy—aimed at delivering accessible, telehealth‑supported, choreographed exercise routines to wheelchair users to reduce cardiometabolic risk. CHIME leverages AHPL’s adaptive equipment and expert staff to conduct remote training, vital-sign monitoring, and in-person assessments at 12, 24, and 36 weeks, with the goal of establishing sustainable, inclusive exercise protocols for people with physical disabilities.
Alex Evancho, AHPL Director, plays a key role in coordinating AHPL operations and supporting research initiatives. She oversees day-to-day lab management, facilitates collaboration among investigators, and ensures that adaptive protocols and accessibility standards are maintained. Her leadership helps bridge research and practice, enabling AHPL to deliver high-quality, inclusive health and performance studies for individuals with disabilities. This includes her on research in neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation.
Dr. Byron Lai, Assistant Professor and researcher within CEDHARS, conducts innovative projects through AHPL, including NIH-funded R03 and R21 grants focused on adaptive virtual reality and telehealth interventions for individuals with mobility limitations. His work leverages AHPL’s advanced resources to explore technology-driven strategies for improving physical activity engagement and health outcomes among people with disabilities.