Services for Research
GoKids™ Boston (also known as the Interdisciplinary Youth Fitness Research and Training Center) was created to “advance the science and clinical practice of improving physical activity and health in youth” The center brings together faculty researchers and clinical investigators across multiple institutions and disciplines to collaborate in complimentary areas of research focused on developing, testing and disseminating evidenced-based strategies to get kids more physically active at home, school, and in their community. With a focus on studying the link between physical activity, health, and weight control, GoKids™ Boston promises to provide needed research about how to effectively prevent or reduce obesity and its’ many co-morbidities across diverse racial and ethnic underserved populations. Furthermore we look to collaborate with clinical investigators to evaluate the impact of various modes of exercise training on a wide range of clinical conditions and health challenges.
Clinical investigators from across multiple interdisciplinary fields of study will have access to a variety of resources to conduct physical activity related research protocols.
The GoKids™ Boston facility features diverse opportunities to assess physical activity and fitness including: body compostion assessment using a brand new DEXA scanner (Holigics, Inc.) resting and exercise cardiopulmonary testing cardiovascular stress testing with 12-lead ECG and treadmill portable metabolic exercise evaluation (Cos Med K4) muscular strength and flexibility testing accelerometers and pedometers
The facility also provides many validated questionnaires for assessing psychosocial constructs and physical activity and nutrition behaviors.
The staff of the facility is well prepared to contribute towards supervised exercise/physical activity longitudinal studies as well as a variety of educational or health behavior change intervention studies. Resources related to data analyses, submitting IRB applications, and subcontract arrangements are available to investigators.
For more information, clinical investigators are encouraged to contact Dr. Kyle McInnis, Research Director at kyle.mcinnis@umb.edu or 617-287-7495.