• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Exercise, Technology, & Cognition Lab

Moving Minds for Healthier Lives

  • About
    • Advising Policy
    • Measures
    • Presentations
    • Publications
    • Privacy Policy
  • Media
  • Projects
    • Enrolling Now
    • Just For Fun
    • Completed Trials
  • Personnel
    • Meet our Lab Director
    • Lab Personnel
    • Alumni
    • Undergraduates
    • Student Research Awards
    • Opportunities
  • Contact

Media

Jan 23 2022

ETC Lab Launches the #GustavChallenge

Gustav Fechner (1801-1887)

On January 23rd, Dr. Mullen and several members of his lab started the “Gustav Challenge.” In 1857, Gustav (56 years old at the time) published a self-study of his personal muscular endurance gains. For 60 straight days, approximately 2 hours after breakfast, he performed maximum repetitions of overhead (shoulder) press with 9.5 lb dumbbells, at a 1-0-1 tempo, until failure.

Today I set out to replicate (N of 1) the work of German experimental psychologist, Gustav Fechner and I'm referring to it as the #GustavChallenge (c/o @E_PaulZehr ). I had heard of this study in a graduate exercise physiology course years ago, but I had long forgotten. https://t.co/6UgpHzvok0

— Dr. Sean Mullen (@drseanmullen) January 23, 2022

By the end, Gustav reported achieving more than 700 reps in a single day. That’s an extraordinarily impressive feat or is it too good to be true? Well, it certainly raises some questions. What about muscle soreness or fatigue? To achieve 700 reps with a steady 1-0-1 tempo, it would take more than 30 minutes, and yet no rest is reported within the manuscript. He reported using a metronome, so that reflects a truly dedicated scientist aiming for rigor and replicability.

We are going to assume that Gustav was doing single sets until failure, and that he did not count multiple attempts to accumulate repetitions throughout the day. Fechner’s findings and our sheer curiosity has led a handful of us to try the #GustavChallenge. If nothing else, it will be a fun exercise in futility. We are kinesiologists with expertise in exercise physiology and psychology. We will undoubtedly stick to the program, but we remain highly skeptical of the potential for gains within the 60-day window.

What do you need to do the #GustavChallenge? You need only 9.5-10 lb dumbbells (or weights of some kind; note that a gallon milk jug weighs ~ 8 lbs) and a metronome set to 60 beats per minute (bpm). There’s a free web-based metronome here.

We are uncertain if Gustav stood up or sat down. We are standing.

Will you stand with us and test your muscular endurance?

Written by thesportdr · Categorized: Uncategorized

Jun 16 2021

Mullen awarded $5k Broadening Inclusion Grant

TIPSTART Study Logo

Dr. Mullen has been awarded $5,000 funding for the Broadening Inclusion Grant for his proposal: A New Start to TIPSTART with a Diversified Stride by The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Written by thesportdr · Categorized: Uncategorized

Apr 04 2021

Mullen appointed CSBS affiliate

Today, Dr. Mullen was appointed, “Center for Social and Behavioral Science Affiliate.” CSBS Affiliates are expected to participate in research and program activities at the CSBS including playing a key role in our workshops, summits, reviewing small grant applications, and identifying future recipients of these grants. For a list of all CSBS Affiliates, visit their website.

Written by thesportdr · Categorized: Uncategorized

Feb 07 2021

Mullen appointed affiliate of GSD – New Minor at Illinois

Dr. Mullen was appointed faculty affiliate of the Games Studies & Design program. The research conducted by the ETC Lab and Mullen’s courses (KIN 247: Intro to Sport Psychology, KIN 474: Tech-Driven Health, KIN 594: Play for Health) intersect well with the new minor. We hope the new minor and the GSD graduate program attract new students to our lab! All are welcome!

Written by thesportdr · Categorized: Uncategorized

Dec 02 2020

Cohen, Mullen interviewed by Beckman about RACER Study

Graduate student, Madhura Phansikar, pictured using Monark bike and MUSE app

Drs. Cohen and Mullen were interviewed about the RACER study which tested preliminary effects of combined aerobic and relaxation in a sample of breast cancer survivors. The study is published in the journal, Psycho-Oncology.

Written by thesportdr · Categorized: Uncategorized

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Go to Next Page »

Footer

Business Name

123 Navigation Drive
Some City, Some State 12345

Copyright© 2025 · Log in