The Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory, or REP Lab, focuses on the physiological and biomechanical responses to exercise. The aim of this lab group is to understand the underlying mechanisms leading to increases in muscle strength and power in various populations, primarily through the use of noninvasive techniques.
Laboratory Director
Dr. Zachary M. Gillen
- Assistant Professor
- Director, Resistance Exercise Performance Laboratory
Lab Members
Doctoral:
Dakota Dronet
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
Masters:
Samantha Searles
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
Allison Brown
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
Undergraduate
Andy Jennings
Former Graduate Students
Russell Lowell
Dallas Johnson
Morgan Wood
Former Undergraduate Students
Ethan Harriel
John Kruswicki
Morgan Wood
Dallas Johnson
Research Emphasis
- Resistance Training
- Muscle Strength & Power
- Neuromuscular Function
- Muscle Hypertrophy
- Kinetics
Lab Facilities and Equipment
HUMAC Norm Isokinetic Dynamometer; ForceDecks Dual Force Plate System; Barbells, Bumper Plates, Squat Rack; Power Blocks; Delsys EMG Trigno Avanti System; PCB Piezotronics Accelerometers; Digitimer DS7AH Constant Current High Voltage Stimulator
Recent Publications
Gillen ZM. Position-specific differences in speed profiles among NFL Scouting Combine participants. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, In-press, August 2024.
Gillen ZM, Burch RF, Saucier DN, Strawderman L, Luczak T, Piroli A, Petway AJ, Rath T. Changes in drop and repeated jump ground reaction forces after a 10-week offseason strength and conditioning program in Division I American football players. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, In-press, July 2024.
Lowell RK, Saucier DN, Chander H, Burch RF, Gillen ZM. Effects of an auditory versus visual stimulus on reaction and response time during countermovement jumps. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 131(4): 1080-1096, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125241256688
Bello ML, Gillen ZM, Smith JW. Changes in muscular strength following nine weeks of high- or low-load resistance training. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 64(5): 439-445, 2024. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15569-7
Berberet D, Petway A, Bell K, Gillen Z, Mundy P, Barrera H, Kabo J, Walker D, Mendenwald G, Welsh B, McMahon J. Unlocking basketball athletic performance: force plate-derived countermovement jumps normative reference values from seven NCAA Division-I Power Five men’s college basketball teams. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 4(1), 2024. https://doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v4i1.354
Gillen ZM. Percentile rankings and normalization of performance for International Weightlifting Federation World Championships competitors. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 4(1), 2024. https://doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v4i1.252
Gillen ZM, Burch RF, Saucier DN, Strawderman L, Luczak T, Piroli A, Petway AJ, Rath T. Effects of a strength and conditioning offseason program on countermovement jump ground reaction forces in Division I American football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(3):e86-e95, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004660
Gillen ZM. Percentile rankings and position differences for absolute and allometrically scaled performance measures from the National Football League Scouting Combine. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(12): e613-e624, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004546
Gillen ZM. Isokinetic training after a matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation procedure: A case study. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Cases, 0(3): 1-11, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2519/josptcases.2023.11617
Lowell R, Conner NO, Derby H, Hill CM, Gillen ZM, Burch R, Knight A, Reneker JC, Chander H. Quick on your feet: Modifying the star excursion balance test with a cognitive motor response time task. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2): 1204, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021204
Information for Current and Prospective Students
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students wishing to be involved in the REP Lab are encouraged to contact Dr. Gillen to inquire about any potential research and/or internship opportunities.
Graduate Students
Masters student who want to opt for the “thesis” or the “directed individual study (DIS)” concluding option and interested to do this in the REP Lab should contact Dr. Gillen as early as possible into their respective academic curriculum. Potential Doctoral students interested in the REP Lab, please contact Dr. Gillen.
Contact
Contact via email: Dr. Zachary M. Gillen - zmg43@msstate.edu