Author: Lizeth Martinez Major: Kinesiology
During the spring semester of 2020, I have had the opportunity to begin my research proposal under my advisor Dr. Kaitlin Gallagher. The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the influence of walking speeds on low back pain development. As there is a chance that individuals will develop low back pain by standing for long periods of time, knowing what speeds are most effective in reducing lower back pain can be beneficial for those suffering from it.
As this research is going to take place during the summer and fall terms of the 2020 academic year, my main focus has been on researching the burden of low back pain, prolonged standing, the lumbar spine, and the influence of walking speeds. Dr. Gallagher suggested that I analyze published journal articles involving the biomechanics of the lower body extremities used in walking.
An interesting insight I learned from my readings was that individuals who develop low back pain have different patterns in their muscle activation compared to those who do not. Factors including the swinging of the arms and posture also contribute to the lower lumbar spine movement. I also learned how to evaluate main discussion points in the conclusion sections of the scholarly articles. Moreover, I became more familiar with incorporating in-text citations and how to search for specific articles within the university library catalog.
Due to the recent university decision to restrict research activity in an effort to minimize physical contact, the research will be left to the discretion of the department heads, unit chairs, and deans. Waiting for further instruction from my advisor is the next step towards my research proposal.
The research methods of this study include recruiting male and female participants from the University of Arkansas. They will be asked to come in on two separate days into the laboratory and walk at two designated speeds and rate their pain development. I will analyze the pain difference between both walking speeds according to a specific assessment called the McNemmar’s statistical test to evaluate the pain reported.
This Honors College Research Grant has allowed me to fully immerse into all the aspects of the research process. This includes properly applying instrumentation on participants, providing clear and understandable instructions, and setting up equipment. I look forward for the opportunity to be responsible for the logistics of this study and thoroughly analyzing the data. I will be responsible for participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, writing of the initial manuscript draft, and presentation of the project at a local conference.
My future career goals include being an active, updated physical therapist in any new research that is being published, I will be able to provide the most effective treatments up to date. By understanding the motions associated with walking, I hope to know how to relieve lower back pain that is associated with a workplace that is mainly sedentary. Researching the background of various muscle activity, I hope to establish patients with the best preventative measures for them to reduce the risk of injury and ultimately enhance their quality of life.