Center for Performance Assessment and Wellness at South (CenPAWS)

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Center for Performance and Wellness Services (CENPAWS)

Our center is located in Mobile and is open the public, USA faculty, students and USA Health employees.

What is CenPAWS?

Welcome to the premier physiological testing hub at the University of South Alabama. Powered by the Exercise & Nutrition group at USA, our state-of-the-art facility provides athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals with the precise data needed to elevate their wellness and training strategies.

Key benefits of our testing and assessments:

Discover your exact metabolic thresholds and aerobic capacity.
Track Body Composition: Gain precise insights into body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone density.
Science-Backed Results: Leverage the same elite-level, university-validated technology used by professional athletes.

Fitness and Performance Assessments

CenPAWS at USA caters to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and the general public through four core assessment areas:

Three women in scrubs looking a computer screen.

Body Composition and Metabolic Testing

We offer a variety of body composition testing that provides baseline metrics of body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone density. Additionally, we offer measurements of caloric needs at rest designed to aid in tailored nutrition plans and caloric targets.

DEXA Scan

DEXA Scan

The DEXA scan is a low-dose X-ray test that measures your body composition – including body fat, lean muscle mass, and bone density. It is considered very safe for most people but is not recommended if you are pregnant. This assessment takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Cost: $125 (USA rate: $75)
BodPod

BodPod

The BOD POD uses air displacement technology to measure your body fat and lean mass. Like the DEXA, it determines your body composition, which can help evaluate health risks and track fitness progress. This assessment takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Cost: $65 (USA rate: $45)
Fit 3D

Fit 3D

The Fit 3D scan is a non-invasive, 3D body scan using optical infrared sensors to capture body fat and lean muscle mass estimates and postural/balance analysis. This assessment takes 5-10 minutes. Cost: $50 (USA rate: $45)
Resting Metabolic Rate

Resting Metabolic Rate

We offer both a 20-minute or 90-minute test measuring calories burned at rest. The results are useful for weight management and nutrition tracking. Cost: $100 (USA Rate: $75)

Group running and walking on treadmills.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Our cardiorespiratory fitness assessments measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and fuel utilization under peak physical exertion. This assessment provides valuable information for improving training zones and cardiorespiratory health.

VO2max

VO2max

This assessment measures cardiorespiratory fitness, oxygen and fuel utilization during exercise. Performed on a treadmill, bike, or rowing ergometer. This assessment lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. Cost: $135 (USA Rate: $100)

Strength & Power Assessments

Our isokinetic testing includes a series of tests designed to assess your muscular strength and explosive power where the load stays the same. These results can help in identifying muscle imbalances and side-to-side comparisons for an injured limb against a healthy limb. This can be used to determine if an athlete is safely ready to return to sport following ACL surgery.

HUMAC-TEST

HUMAC-TEST

Our isokinetic test is designed to evaluate joint torque, muscle power, and muscle endurance using the HUMAC-NORM. This test is charged per half hour sessions, calculated in 30-minute blocks. Cost: $50/30-minutes (USA rate: $45/30-minutes)

Location & Parking

CENPAWS is located in the Health, Kinesiology, and Sport (HKS) building off of Student Services Drive in Room 1016. When entering the building from the East side (athletics wing), take a right at the first hallway and continue straight into the HKS wing.

For Parking, please follow the directions below.

Park in the blue highlighted zone across from the HKS building. You will receive a temporary parking pass upon your arrival.
If there are not any open parking spaces, please park at the official visitors parking lot behind the Student Health Center located off of USA Drive & Student Center Circle (Pink Zone).

Contact Us

CenPAWS Community Testing
Angela Berry, MS
angela.berry@southalabama.edu
251-460-7396

Appointment Availability
Monday - Friday 6:00am-5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday (flexibility)