On The Treadmill

I participated today in some research at the University of NSW at Randwick, Sydney, specifically at the Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). They’re conducting a study on limb loss, the use of prosthetic limbs and I thought it would be interesting to share my experience. I also I promised the researcher I would pass on details to anyone else who might be interested. In case you’re reading this post later, please note the date was in June 2024.

Who can participate?

The researchers are looking for people with specific criteria to participate in this study. If you meet the following criteria, you might be a good fit:

• Between 18-65 years old
• Have lost one limb either above the knee (disarticulation), above the ankle (Symes), or between the knee and ankle
• Use a lower limb prosthesis
• At least six months post-limb loss surgery
• Able to walk continuously for 5 minutes without using a walking aid and perform multiple separate trials
• Free from acute injuries that may impair walking

What was involved?

The entire study took about two and a half hours, from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of what it entailed:

• Filling out a written survey before the participation began
• Completing more written surveys on the day of the study
• Participating in three walking sessions on a treadmill while wearing various sensors

The research focused heavily on heart rate, breathing, and walking patterns.

What was it like?

Overall, it was a fun experience! It felt great knowing that my participation could potentially help others. They did a preliminary analysis after the tests, which showed that my heart rate and breathing were normal. Interestingly, the analysis also indicated that my walking was slightly more even on my prosthetic leg compared to my intact leg.

The researcher and their assistant were fantastic to work with. They explained everything clearly and thoroughly. There was a bit of light shaving involved on some parts of my legs to ensure the sensors stayed attached properly. But hey, having all those lights stuck on my body made me feel like I was auditioning for a CGI-made movie, which was pretty cool!

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in participating in this study, you can contact the researcher John Kerr via email at john.kerr@unsw.edu.au