UMass Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab
A research project is being conducted by the Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Biomechanics lab group here at UMass Amherst. This study is funded by the National Institute of Health and is centered around the purpose of investigating how muscle fatigue may alter the way you walk and the amount of energy your body utilizes for walking.
Do You Qualify?
You may qualify for this study if you are a reasonably healthy, non-smoker between the ages of 30-40 or 70-80 years of age. You may not have any: prior joint soft tissue injuries (ACL, meniscus), neurological or neuromuscular disease, a history of stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac or pulmonary disease, have significant arthritis of lower limbs or a history of metabolic diseases/disorders. Both men and women who complete the eligibility survey and subsequent phone screening will be compensated $150 for 7-9 hours spread across 3 visits.
What Will You Be Asked to Do?
Qualified participants will be asked to come to the new IALS laboratory on the UMass campus for a total of 3 visits. At an initial visit, you will complete paperwork, perform mobility tests, be familiarized with the study procedures, and complete a test of your aerobic fitness. At the second visit, we will measure how you walk and your muscle strength before and after walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes. At the third visit, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes while wearing a breathing mask to measure how much energy you're using. We will also measure you muscle strength and mobility before and after this treadmill walk.
For your participation, you will receive personalized information about mobility, muscle strength, and aerobic fitness. You will be compensated $150.
Eligibility Screening
We would like you to complete a brief screening survey. It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. If you are determined ineligible to participate your survey will be destroyed. If you are determined to be eligible to participate, the completed survey will become part of the study materials, and we will protect your information as confidential and safeguard it from unauthorized disclosure. Only approved research personnel will have access to the information contained in your screening survey. If deemed eligible we may schedule a phone call to complete your final eligibility.