Table 4.

General logistical considerations for assembling field-based physiological testing spaces for research purposes with athletes

Environmental conditions	Thorough data capture of environmental conditions allows a greater understanding of data anomalies and data interpretation Outdoor testing  If rain/snow/wind is expected, ensure adequate waterproofing of equipment. Ensure no safety hazards (e.g., slips) arise from wet floors and/or equipment  If in hot/sunny conditions, provide adequate sun protection and cooling measures (within scope of study design)  Measure and record environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed) systematically throughout the entire testing period or regularly throughout training and/or competition  Understand the functioning temperature range of your equipment, especially when working in extreme environmental conditions Indoor testing  Unless extreme temperatures are required for the research protocol, aim to keep environments as thermoneutral as possible. Temperatures of between 18–23 degrees and relative humidity < 70% are recommended [1] not only for athlete comfort, but for reliable and accurate testing results. It may be necessary to source portable heating/cooling systems  When the measurement of gases and expired air is required, consider and control the effect of temperature on gas volume, pressure and density  As the thermal environment is difficult to control, measure environmental conditions frequently to allow for early intervention
Lighting	Check facility lighting prior to use. If testing in the early morning, or late evening, good lighting is critical. Importantly, this may not be obvious during the day Determine the facilities capacity for lighting adjustments as required (e.g., dark rooms for RMR measurements) Consider additional equipment such as headlamps and batteries (e.g., for performing venipunctures/cannulation/RMR in poorly lit rooms), if required
Power sources	A stable power supply can be a challenge in the field, particularly with expensive research-grade equipment. Generators are not always safe or reliable and can produce inconsistent power surges. Surge protectors and a battery tower may be necessary If bringing equipment into a new testing location, pre-check the voltage requirements and power sockets. Larger items, such as metabolic carts or treadmills may have special requirements. These should be checked prior to testing to avoid inadvertent outages due to circuit overload If traveling internationally with equipment, confirm that adaptors can handle the required voltage and that any required importation paperwork is in order Where required, liaise with the building manager or event organizer in advance to fully understand the electric/power provision and options (e.g., use of generators) Always travel with additional power adaptors and extension cords Depending on study requirements, a portable external battery may provide peace of mind
Calibration	Always complete a calibration check on equipment that has been moved If calibration requires the use of specific gases or reagents, these should travel with the equipment Be mindful of the transportation and storage requirements for compressed (e.g., calibration gases, medical grade oxygen) and dangerous gases (carbon monoxide). These are likely to differ between states and countries
Cleaning and biohazard considerations	Designate ample space for equipment cleaning. Specific protocols should be created for each testing facility to ensure that laboratory SOP cleaning standards are met Ensure sufficient cleaning products, tools and drying racks are available. Non-researchers may be present in the lab space; label cleaning products and spaces accordingly Some equipment requires higher cleaning standards (e.g., mouthpieces) or specialized cleaning procedures. Designate space for these activities Ensure that adequate biohazard bins and sharps containers are available if working with biohazardous material. A waste disposal plan must also be created that complies with local laws and procedures
Health and safety	Staff wellbeing during long testing days in competition/camp-based scenarios is fundamental. Ensuring adequate rest/sleep and access to good nutrition will allow staff to manage multiple testing days and maximize the likelihood that data capture occurs without errors or mistakes Staff should maintain usual laboratory dress codes (e.g., enclosed shoes, hair tied back) Ensure a well-stocked first aid kit is rapidly available if required. Key staff should also hold current CPR and first aid accreditations Develop an EAP specific to your testing location(s). At a minimum, all staff should be clearly aware of the local emergency phone number and the nearest automated external defibrillator and hospital locations Make sure the space is well stocked with items such as hand sanitizer, gloves, hand wash, disinfectant wipes If chemicals or dangerous gases are required in the testing space (D2O, glycerol, carbon monoxide) ensure items are clearly labeled, and specific safety processes are followed
Sound	Where appropriate, ensure a portable sound system is available so that music can be played for entertainment or to encourage peak performance (e.g., VO2max test) For testing that requires silence (e.g., RMR assessments, cognitive tests), minimize noise from surrounding individuals and/or the environment. If not possible, provide ear plugs and eye masks to increase test validity
Transport	Depending on the location of the athlete’s accommodation and training facilities, travel between sites may be required. Consideration should be given to the number of cars (and drivers with appropriate licenses) and/or bicycles that may be needed

CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; D2O, deuterium labeled water (heavy water); EAP, emergency action plan; RMR, resting metabolic rate; SOP, standard operation procedure