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Amanada Clifford is a senior studying exercise science. She also does research in exercise science with Dr. Timothy Kirby in the School of Physical Activity & Educational Services
How did you become involved in research?
I am interested in clinical exercise physiology so I contacted my professor, Dr. Kirby, who focuses his research in this field. The Ohio State University Center for Wellness and Prevention was looking for assistance in examining a piece of exercise equipment called the NuStep and contacted Dr. Kirby. A fellow exercise science student, Meghan McCausland, and I agreed to help him with the project. Through this research project we will help the OSU center develop exercise prescriptions using the NuStep. Exercise prescriptions guide patients with clinical conditions through a rehabilitation program.
How do you actually conduct your research?
I am researching the reliability and validity of the NuStep. The NuStep is a recumbent stepper often used among clinical populations and with the elderly. For the study, we perform three oxygen consumption (VO2) tests on the NuStep and another on a stationary bike for each subject. VO2 tests determine how much oxygen each subject is utilizing while exercising. Values such as METS and watts are displayed on the screen of the NuStep. These values help determine your exercise intensity. We then analyze these values along with the oxygen consumption values. This is where we incorporate statistics to determine the validity of the NuStep machine, and intra-class correlations are used to determine the reliability of the NuStep machine.
What have been the benefits of participating in research?
Through research I have been able to go beyond what I have learned in the classroom and apply it to a project. I have developed skills, such as performing oxygen consumption tests and analyzing statistical data, that I will be able to use during future educational endeavors and in my future career. I feel well-prepared for continuing my education and comfortable with completing a thesis during graduate school.
Furthermore, I have developed great relationships with my professors and fellow students whom I have worked with on research projects. It is a fun experience to work on an extended project in which the results will be of great use for the OSU Center for Wellness and Prevention.
How are you using this experience for your next research project?
My next research project involves examining determinants of physical activity adherence among individuals who train and complete a running race. I have improved my writing skills as well as my planning and organizational skills. I realize the time commitment it takes for researching and also that research requires some trial and error. I have approached this next research project with an open mind, realizing that multiple ideas should be considered to determine how this project can run as smoothly as possible while still examining the variables I desire to study.
I recommend any student to become involved with research. Find several professors that do research on topics you are interested in and contact them. If you are in a class where you really enjoy the topics you are learning, that professor may be a good place to start. Be specific and show that you are sincerely interested in working with them. Professors are always looking for enthusiastic students to assist with research.
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