Analyzing gait and biomechanic articles for my research

Amidst the changes the pandemic has caused in the fall semester of 2020, I have had the opportunity to begin virtual research meetings under my advisor Dr. Kaitlin Gallagher who is in the department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation via Zoom. My name is Lizeth Martinez, and I am a senior kinesiology major in the College of Education and Health Professions. The purpose of the proposed study I am helping conduct 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.

Although I was planning to initiate my research this semester, the physical research trials are still pending based on the safety concerns of bringing in individuals from outside the lab. 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.

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 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 statistical test assessment to evaluate the pain reported. Due to the pandemic, these protocols can be subject to change.

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 a physical therapist that 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.