Project Info
Human Backpack Interaction in Military Service Members
Project Goals and Description:
This collaborative project aims to quantify the interaction between heavy backpacks and the person carrying these loads. Pressure magnitudes and distributions under the shoulder straps and kinematics of the backpack, torso, and lower limbs will be evaluated in different backpack configurations and on different walking slopes. This research will explore the influence of hip-belt use and walking slope on the magnitude and symmetry of shoulder loading and determine whether these values correlate to backpack or walking kinematics.
More Information:
Primary Contacts:
Student Preparation
Qualifications
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
- Understanding of biomechanics research studies (data sources: motion capture, ground reaction forces, flexible pressure sensors, etc; signal processing techniques and statistical analysis)
- Programming and processing experience
- Biomechanical data analysis and visualization
- Introduction to biomechanical modeling
- Written and verbal communication skills, with opportunities to present work in a lab and conference settings.
- Literature review and manuscript preparation
MENTORING PLAN
The student will present brief research updates at our biweekly lab meetings and meet with Dr. Silverman (faculty) and Dr. Sturdy (post-doctoral researcher) on the other weeks. The student will be integrated into our research group with communication via Slack and professional development activities. There will be milestones with a projected timeline setup at the beginning of the academic year and will be revisited periodically.