A thrash metal drummer has been put through his paces by university boffins in Gloucestershire.

Rob Rolfe, of acclaimed noise merchants Enter Shikari, bashed his bass drum and hammered his hi-hat as part of an experiment at the University of Gloucestershire, yesterday. He was taking part in the Clem Burke Drumming Project, which tests musicians' bodies and minds in response to performances.

It was the world's first drumming lab when it was opened at the Oxstalls campus, in Gloucester, by Blondie band member Clem in 2008. The scheme has so far revealed that drummers' hearts race at a similar rate to Premiership footballers'.

Postgraduate research student, Simon de la Rue, was responsible for Rob's participation. He said: "I sent an email to the band website outlining the nature of the study and inquiring if he'd be interested in taking part. Enter Shikari have a huge UK and international following so we were delighted Rob actually came."

Drummers from Primal Scream, Pendulum, and Fightstar have also taken part.