The Harvard Fatigue Laboratory

The Harvard Fatigue Laboratory, established in 1927, was a pioneering research facility focused on understanding how the human body responds to physical activity and fatigue. It studied topics like exercise performance, nutrition, temperature regulation, and the effects of conditions like sleep deprivation. The lab's research helped improve athletes’ training, understand occupational demands, and advance military performance. It was influential in developing science-based guidelines for physical health and conditioning. The lab operated until 1947, leaving a lasting legacy in exercise physiology, and contributed significantly to how we understand human endurance and physical limitations today.