Volunteers needed for DPT’s study on leg strength and balance recovery
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is in need of people for a research study, titled “Influences of Lower Limb Strength and Rate of Torque Development on Recovery from a Backwards Balance Loss.” We’re interested in the effects of lower body strength on the ability to recover from a loss of balance and how people step when they lose their balance.
To participate, you must:
- Be 18-45 years old
- Be able to tolerate losing your balance multiple times while wearing a safety harness
- Weigh < 250 pounds
- Be willing to have your ankle, knee and hip strength-tested
In order to participate, you must NOT have the following:
- A physical condition that would limit testing
- A neurological disease, osteoporosis, or an uncontrolled chronic illness such as heart disease or diabetes
- Use an assistive device to perform daily activities
- Balance problems or persistent dizziness, hospitalization, broken lower limb bone, concussion, loss of consciousness, or a major surgery in the last six months
- An injury or condition that limited your physical activity, or been pregnant in the last three months
- An amputated limb
- Allergies or sensitivity to tape
- Take medications that impair cognitive function, pain sensation or balance in the 12 hours before the study activities
If you’re interested in participating and meet the above criteria, you would come to the university’s Medical Sciences Building on Werth Boulevard, where we would ask you to sign an informed consent form and answer questions on a questionnaire. Depending on your responses to the questionnaire, you may or may not be eligible for the study.
If you meet the study criteria, you will be asked to continue the single testing session where you will be made to lose your balance multiple times in a safety harness while performing a squat task and have your ankle, knee and hip strength-tested while sitting. Your participation in this study will involve approximately 60 minutes of time.
You will not be paid for being in this study or reimbursed for any costs associated with traveling to/from the George Fox campus. You are able to stop participation in the study at any time and for any reason. No information that would identify you will be made public, and we do not feel there is more than minimal risk associated with this study.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Lyndsay Stutzenberger at lstutzenberger@georgefox.edu.