Programs

• Program coordinator for the undergraduate and graduate students interested in the field of Exercise Physiology

Areas of Interest

• Energy expenditure assessment via electronic physical activity monitors
• Development of algorithms for predicting energy expenditure and time-based physical activity outcome from the use of physical activity monitors in free-living environments
• Physiological and biomechanical determinants of elite endurance performance (cycling, biathlon, running, cross country skiing
• Modeling the energetics of sport activities (cycling, walking, running, indoor and outdoor climbing, as well as backpacking)
• Statistical and mathematical algorithms related to physiological capacities and human performance

Active and Recently Completed Research Projects

Physical activity monitoring projects:

• Development of algorithms for transforming Actical activity monitor data into units of activity energy expenditure (completed summer 2004)
• Application of newly developed Actical algorithm to processing data collected during intervention study to increase daily physical activity in previously inactive African Americans (completed spring 2006 with new project in development for fall 2006)
• Pedometer longevity project:  Lab-based project with modified shaker tables to determine how long different brand pedometers will maintain their step counting accuracy (completed summer 2006)
• Reliability of Actical monitor output at the hip, wrist, and ankle when collected over 1-2 weeks of free-living activity (in progress, fall 2006)
• Development of a batch processing data screening routine for Actical data collected during free-living activity (in progress, fall 2006)
• Use of GPS monitors to predict overground hiking and running energy expenditure (nearly completed, fall 2006)

Nordic skiing:

• Describing the relationships between upperbody power and ski performance in junior nordic skiers (completed spring 2004)
• Upper body power as a determinant of classic ski performance (in progress, fall 2006)
• Defining the relationships between flexibility and roller ski economy (in progress, fall 2006)

Bicycling:

• Time-trial position optimization in Hawaiian Ironman triathletes (completed spring 2006)
• A stationary trainer protocol was developed to predict outdoor uphill time-trial cycling performance (completed).  The idea was to develop a practical tool available to coaches and cyclists for tracking changes in actual performance without the need for laboratory-based measures or repeat outdoor time-trials.
• Reliability of stationary trainer protocol described above (completed)
• Validity of the stationary trainer protocol to accurately track changes in performance over the course of a competitive season (completed)

Biathlon:

• Dependence of shooting accuracy and precision on exercise intensity in national caliber summer biathletes (i.e., running and shooting marksmanship) (completed)

Body mass scaling:

• Body mass as a determinant of the 1-hour cycling record (completed fall 2040)
• Development of a generalized allometric model of endurance cycling performance.  This is an attempt to quantitatively describe the importance of body mass as determinant of time-trial cycling performance (completed)

Other projects:

• Physiological Strain Index (PSI) as a determinant of pacing strategy in Hawaiian Ironman triathletes (in progress)

Selected Publications

• Heil, D. P.  Predicting energy expenditure using the Actical activity monitor.  Research Quarterly in Exercise and Sport 77(1): 64-80, 2006.
• Heil, D.P. Body size as a determinant of the one-hour cycling record at sea level and altitude. European Journal of Applied Physiology 93(5-6):547-554, 2004.
• Heil, D.P., J. Engen, B.K. Higginson. Influence of Ski Pole Grip on Upper Body Power Output in Cross-country Skiers. European Journal of Applied Physiology 91(4):481-487, 2004.
• Heil, D.P., B.K. Higginson, C.P. Keller, and C.A. Juergens. Prediction and classification of energy expenditure from CSA output during overground walking. Journal of Exercise
  Physiology 6(1):1-11, 2003.
• Heil, D.P. Body mass scaling of frontal area in competitive cyclists without aerobars. European Journal of Applied Physiology 87:520-528, 2002.
• Heil, D.P. Estimating energy expenditure in wildland fire fighters using a physical activity monitor. Journal of Applied Ergonomics 33(5):405-413, 2002.
• Heil, D.P., O. Murphy, A.R. Mattingly, and B.K. Higginson. Prediction of uphill time-trial bicycling performance using a scaling-derived ergometer protocol. European Journal of Applied Physiology 85(3/4):374-382, 2001.
• Heil, D.P. Body mass scaling of submaximal oxygen uptake during graded treadmill bicycling. Journal of Applied Physiology 85(4):1376-383, 1998.
• Heil, D.P. Body mass scaling of peak oxygen uptake in 20 to 79 year old adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 29(12):1602-608, 1997.
• Heil, D.P., T.R. Derrick, S. Whittlesey. The relationship between preferred and optimal positioning during submaximal cycle ergometry. European Journal of Applied Physiology
  75:160-165, 1997.
• Heil, D.P. The pressor response to submaximal cycle ergometry while using aerodynamic handlebars. International Journal of Sports Medicine 18(1):1-7, 1997.
• Heil, D.P., A. Wilcox, and C. Quinn (1995). The effect of seat-tube angle variation on cardiorespiratory responses during submaximal bicycling. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 27(5):730-735.
• Heil, D.P., P.S. Freedson, L.E. Alquist, J. Price, and J.M. Rippe (1995). Non-exercise regression models to estimate peak oxygen consumption. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 27(4):599-606.