Released September 9, 2010
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – The Rutgers Equine Science Center launched a new innovative educational tool to its Web site – a virtual tour of the equine exercise physiology laboratory. The virtual tour is now accessible through the Equine Science Center’s Web site on the Equine Exercise Physiology Laboratory page.
The virtual tour features a photographic storyboard detailing the processes involved in successfully completing a graded exercise test (GXT) and a simulated race test (SRT), the two types of equine exercise tests conducted at the treadmill lab. The virtual tour has been divided into three categories: Preparing for an Exercise Test; Performing an Exercise Test; and Exercise Test Data Analysis. As visitors peruse the three categories, they will find pictures of various steps and stages of the test as well as descriptive text detailing each picture.
The equine exercise physiology laboratory is an extremely popular research site on the G.H. Cook Campus of Rutgers University primarily because of the treadmill. Although it provides a unique and fascinating visual, the equine treadmill is used for scientific research. By creating the online virtual tour of the lab, visitors to the Equine Science Center website get an inside look at how and why equine scientists use a treadmill, and a complete overview of the entire process.
“We had to turn people away at the laboratory door on Rutgers Day earlier this year; people were standing in line for a half hour to witness our research mare on the treadmill,” said Karyn Malinowski, director of the Equine Science Center. “The treadmill always draws a big crowd as people are eager and excited to see such a majestic and powerful animal galloping full-speed. It is an exhilarating sight.”
According to Malinowski, the virtual tour of the treadmill laboratory, as well as a video demonstration of a horse exercising, offers equine enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about the science and research of the Equine Science Center as well as the thrilling experience of witnessing a horse on a treadmill.
“At the Equine Science Center, we firmly believe in broadening our horizons as we bring better horse care through research and education,” added Malinowski. “The virtual tour of the exercise physiology laboratory provides another modality to enable us to reach the equine community.”
The Center encourages visitors to provide feedback after viewing the virtual tour. Visitors are invited to complete the brief five question survey included on the virtual tour Web page. To access the survey, simply click the link labeled Virtual Tour Survey.
For more information about the equine exercise physiology laboratory virtual tour or the Equine Science Center, visit http://esc.rutgers.edu or call 732-932-9419.
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http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/news_more/press_release/TreadmillLabVT2010_release.htm
Contact: Tiffany J. Cody, cody@aesop.rutgers.edu
