About The Better Living and Performance Testing Clinic Team

Our Better Living and Performance Testing Clinic is conducted in facilities which are accredited by the Chartered Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (CASES).

We're led by Professor Dan Gordon, a CASES Accredited Exercise Physiologist who has over 25 years’ experience. With a background in cardiorespiratory physiology, Professor Gordon has worked across high performance sports through to supporting clinical populations.

As part of an innovative real-world learning and employability approach, we also operate a supervised experience programme for our Sport and Exercise Science students who may assist with the testing.

Our Clinic Leads

Viviane Merzbach

Viviane brings over a decade of experience in sports science, encompassing physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition. She has authored fifteen peer-reviewed publications and numerous conference presentations, reflecting her strong scientific presence. A notable highlight includes her co-lead role in the MinDSets study, a collaborative international intervention with Prof Gordon, demonstrating that light physical activity and cognitive training significantly improved mood and self-efficacy in adults with Down syndrome.

As an Associate Lecturer in the Cambridge Centre for Sport & Exercise Sciences (CCSES), she has led competency-based testing sessions and mentored students in physiological assessments, including VO₂max, lactate threshold, body composition, and vital sign monitoring. Viviane manages ARU’s Better Living and Performance Testing Clinic, delivering standardised and professionally accredited testing services to athletic and clinical groups.

Jorge Marques Pinto

Jorge is a highly experienced sports physiology professional at ARU, balancing technical testing, student mentorship, and applied research. With over ten years of practical experience, Jorge contributes to ARU’s reputation for professional, engaging, and scientifically driven performance testing. Jorge plays a pivotal role in the Clinic, delivering high-quality guided testing to clients—ranging from general population to elite athletes. He brings extensive knowledge and experience as a high calibre marathon and ultra-marathon runner. His research has combined nutritional and physiological investigations.