RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

STUDY TITLE: 'Developing a clinically friendly method of measuring hip joint forces during physical exercises'

What are the aims of this study?

  • The aim is to develop a method to rapidly measure hip forces during exercise that will help clinicians monitor the appropriateness of an exercise.

Who can participate?

  • Physically active adults
  • Between 18 – 70 years old
  • Free from any medical conditions that would prevent participation in vigorous exercise

 

You will not be eligible to participate in this study if you have:
• Existing joint disease and metabolic, neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular disorders
• A current pregnancy for female participants
• Currently experiencing musculoskeletal pain and those with a history of pain in the last 3 months
• Any history of lower limb joint replacement surgeries.

What does the study involve?

  • You will be required to attend one single session of testing, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, at the motion capture laboratory, within the University of Essex. During this period, the following will be undertaken:
  • 1. Basic questionnaire of your physical activity levels (10 min)
  • 2. Preparation to put on multiple sensors on your legs (30 min)
  • 3. Warm-up (10 min)
  • 4. Undergo low to vigorous short duration movement tasks: walking, running, jumping, hopping. These tasks are not continuous but are regularly interspersed with rest breaks. The aim of these tasks is not to tire you (1.5 hours). During these movements, we will collect movement data that looks like the image in Figure 1.
  • 5. Cooldown and debrief (10 min)

If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact Dr Zainab Altai at z.altai@essex.ac.uk.