We formally introduce the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory (OPRL) – the University of Oregon’s newest laboratory in the Department of Human Physiology. We strive to be the preeminent performance research laboratory, educational resource, and research team for elevating human performance. We consider this the beginning of a great scientific endeavor to discern and understand the physiological limitations of performance and provide new and tangible strategies for anyone looking to improve their performance.
The origin of the OPRL began with the University of Oregon’s creation of the Sport and Wellness Initiative in 2021. One of the goals of this initiative is to ‘advance research that breaks traditional boundaries and brings together faculty and students from across the university as well as external partners to achieve innovation [and] apply results to improve health and performance‘. In 2023, this initiative along with generous donations to the university, provided the opportunity to hire new Assistant Professor and performance physiology expert, Dr. Brad Wilkins. Dr. Wilkins was then tasked with creating a new research program focused on human performance – an endeavor he has long envisioned.
The Oregon Performance Research Laboratory is now a reality, with the overall mission to discern the physiological limits of performance to measurably elevate human potential. Accomplishing this mission will result in significant scientific advancements in our understanding of human physiology, and will remove performance barriers not just for the elite, but for all individuals regardless of background, physical characteristics, medical condition, or performance goals. With an emphasis on delivering a measurable impact, we seek to redefine human capability through: novel scientific exploration, communication and application, and the cultivation of curiosity.
Novel Scientific Exploration means we explore the physiological mechanisms underlying human limitations through rigorous scientific studies. At the heart of our laboratory is the pursuit of groundbreaking scientific discoveries. We will venture into uncharted territories of exercise and sports physiology to uncover new insights that can transform our collective understanding of human health & performance. We will accomplish this work through asking creative, novel, and more thoughtful questions that lead to impactful discoveries and understanding.
Subsequent Communication & Application of this novel scientific knowledge will accelerate individual and/or group performance achievements. We strive to demystify complex scientific concepts, ensuring that our findings are accessible and actionable by clearly communicating our research through a variety of channels. We will aim to empower individuals (athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals, and the wider community) with tangible knowledge so they can apply these scientific principles to their training, health, and performance strategies.
Lastly, we aim to Cultivate Curiosity in order to solve the next generation performance problems. This is done through fostering a learning environment where our team of researchers and students feel the freedom to ask and explore the big questions, while thinking independently, creatively, and critically.
Although the laboratory space is always evoling, we are hitting the ground running, with multiple funded research projects already in motion while we further conceptualize new studies and potential services. Ultimately, the people who make up our team and our global collaborators will be the driving force towards mission success. Therefore, we invite individuals, organizations, companies, and agencies who want to join our pursuit of human performance to please connect with us.