Human Performance Center

Running assessments

The UCSF RunSafe Clinic offers comprehensive running assessments to runners of all levels, from the novice to the seasoned competitor. Our sports medicine specialists provide counseling and a biomechanical analysis of your running and training patterns to help you learn to prevent injuries and practice safe training methods.

Performance consultations

This is a great place to start for anyone with training questions. Our experts will provide insight and direction on topics such as nutrition, exercise routine, sleep, strength training, endurance training and biomechanics.

Performance evaluations

Our performance evaluations use advanced exercise physiology tools to evaluate athletes' cardiovascular fitness and provide personal assessments of their physiological fitness and performance characteristics. Clients receive a detailed report, with tailored recommendations designed to optimize performance.

Body composition analysis

This seven-site skinfold assessment is a quick, easy and accurate way to determine your body-fat percentage. Having your body composition analyzed is the best way to track your weight-management success.

Each appointment includes a skinfold assessment, personalized report and expert consultation to help you understand your results.

Lactate threshold testing

This assessment is for endurance athletes looking to focus their training and track their progress. By measuring the blood lactate levels in your body during exercise, we can tailor training zones and make recommendations for your specific physiology.

You will complete stages at increasingly harder intensities, while our exercise physiologists record heart rate, perceived exertion and lactate samples from blood droplets. Lactate threshold testing can be repeated to track progress and fine-tune your training plan over time.

VO2 max testing

Using a treadmill, stationary bike or your own bike, this test will measure your maximal oxygen uptake, sometimes called your "aerobic engine," and give insight into the metabolic fuel – fat versus carbohydrate – that your body uses at varying intensities.

This test can be especially useful for athletes looking to find their peak performance or anyone trying to get more out of cardio workouts. It also enables us to determine your true maximum heart rate.

Resting metabolic rate testing

Resting metabolic rate is the measurement of how much food is converted into energy each day. Simply put, this test will determine how many calories you burn per day while at rest.

Understanding how your body uses calories is vital to success for weight-loss or weight-management programs. Our resting metabolic rate test provides an accurate snapshot of your daily caloric needs.