Help & Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers for prospective athlete participants, researchers, and anyone curious about our work — plus a plain-language glossary.

Can NCAA athletes participate in HERO Lab studies?
Yes. Our studies primarily enroll UCLA Division I varsity athletes. Eligibility depends on the specific study and is reviewed with the team’s sports medicine staff. UCLA athletes interested in joining can email the research team or view an active study on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How do I enroll as an athlete?
Email the HERO Lab research team to ask about eligibility and current openings, or view an active study record on ClinicalTrials.gov. Enrollment always involves informed consent and IRB-approved procedures.
What is magnesium L-threonate (MgT)?
Magnesium L-threonate is a form of magnesium that, unlike most magnesium salts, can cross the blood-brain barrier. That property makes it a candidate for supporting sleep quality and cognitive recovery — which is why we studied it in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot of 107 NCAA Division I athletes. See the study →
Is WHOOP scientifically validated?
Independent validation studies report roughly 99% agreement between WHOOP and gold-standard ECG for heart rate and heart rate variability, and strong agreement with polysomnography for sleep staging. We use WHOOP for continuous, real-world physiological monitoring. See the evidence →
What is heart rate variability (HRV)?
Heart rate variability is the small variation in time between consecutive heartbeats. Higher HRV generally reflects better autonomic (nervous-system) recovery and readiness, so we track it as an objective recovery marker across our studies.
Are HERO Lab findings peer-reviewed?
We clearly distinguish between peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations (posters and podium talks), and manuscripts in preparation. Conference results — such as our AMSSM 2026 magnesium and concussion posters — are preliminary; full peer-reviewed manuscripts follow.
What does the HERO Lab study?
HERO Lab (Human Enhancement Recovery Optimization) is a UCLA + UCSF research collaboration studying sleep, recovery, and athletic performance in NCAA Division I athletes, using wearable technology and randomized clinical trials. Focus areas include supplementation, cold water immersion, concussion recovery, and wearable biometrics.

Plain-Language Glossary

Quick definitions for the terms that show up across our studies.

MgT (Magnesium L-Threonate)
A form of magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier, studied for sleep and cognitive recovery.
HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
Variation in time between heartbeats; a marker of autonomic recovery and readiness.
RHR (Resting Heart Rate)
Heart rate at rest; lower values often indicate better cardiovascular recovery.
Autonomic recovery
Recovery of the body’s automatic (rest-and-digest) nervous system after stress or training.
CWI (Cold Water Immersion)
Submersion in cold water after exercise to aid recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
DOMS
Delayed-onset muscle soreness — the achiness felt 24–72 hours after hard training.
SCAT6
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 6th edition — a standardized concussion symptom assessment.
Oculomotor testing
Measurement of eye-movement control, used as an objective marker in concussion recovery.
Responder analysis
Identifying the subgroup of athletes who benefit most from an intervention, often via wearable data.
Placebo-controlled
A study design where some participants receive an inactive comparison so real effects can be isolated.
Double-blind
Neither participants nor researchers know who received the active treatment until the study ends.
IRB
Institutional Review Board — the ethics committee that approves and oversees human research.
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