Innovations in Exercise Research — Collaborations

Physicians and scientists at the UC Irvine Health Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center (PERC) are engaged in the following collaborations to learn how and why physical activity is essential to children's health.

The Aizik Exercise and Functional Genomics Laboratory is engaged in the following collaborations:

• iXercise: an immersive exergaming platform for rehabilitation targeting special needs children. Lead researcher: Magda El Zarki, PhD, director of the Institute of Virtual Environments and Computer Games at the UC Irvine Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.
  
  
• The effects of a physical exercise intervention on anxiety in underserved children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Lead researcher: Jean Gehricke, PhD, UC Irvine Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
  
  
• Breast tumor oxygenation during exercise. Lead researcher: Bruce Tromberg, PhD, director of the UC Irvine Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic.
  
  
• Terminology Harmonization in Exercise Medicine and Exercise Science (THEMES). Lead researcher: Dan M. Cooper, MD, director, UC Irvine Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS).
  
  
• Flying to space (NASA): integrated resistance and aerobic exercise training with small compact exercise equipment, and genomic studies. Lead researcher:  Lori L. Ploutz-Snyder, PhD, Universities Space Research Association, Johnson Space Center, in collaboration with UC Irvine researcher Gregory R. Adams, PhD.
  
  
• Exercise training in adults with Pompe disease: the effects on pain, fatigue and functioning. Lead researcher: Virginia E. Kimonis, MD, Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics, UC Irvine Health School of Medicine.
  
  
• The effect of exercise and beta-adrenergic blockade on immune system genomic response. Lead researcher: Richard J. Simpson, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston.
  
  
• Immune system genomic response to exercise in sickle cell patients. Lead researcher: Robert Liem, MD, MS, director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program, and attending physician in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

• Tissue and blood lactate changes during exercise: evaluation of the ability of a novel sensor to continuously measure concentrations of tissue lactate during vigourous exercise. Lead researcher: Elliot Botvinick, PhD, Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering.