Design Research Study
Comfort and grip evaluation of microgravity restraints and mobility aids for intravehicular activity
Study Objective
The objective is to compare a variety of original designs with each other and those currently in use on the ISS on a variety of criteria to inform subsequent design iterations. The overarching goal is to design new restraint/mobility aid solutions that make working in space more accessible and comfortable, as well as safer by reducing cognitive load by taking away focus from active positioning.
Study Procedures
Should you choose to participate, you will be testing foot anchoring solutions for microgravity in a chair that helps simulate neutral body posture (the position the body assumes in a zero-g environment). Throughout your participation in the study you will be audio/video recorded and photographed to document and observe your behavior as a participant. The design testing itself consists of 3 repeated steps and one final task. Prior to design testing your feet will be measure so as to correlate your responses with the larger group.
The following steps will be repeated for each design prototype you test:
Testing and then evaluating your ability to move inward and outward relative to the foot anchor
Testing and then evaluating your ability to move side-to-side relative to the foot anchor
Assessing the general comfort and grip/security of the different foot anchoring solutions
After completing these steps for each design, you will then rank each design solution you have tested with.
Eligibility Criteria
Geography: no criteria other than must be able to travel to the testing site
Health: Participants may not have lower limb loss or limb difference; orthopedic conditions affecting knee or ankle joints; history of broken bones or surgery on their legs within the past year or that has a continued effect on themtheir mobility; back or spine conditions; intellectual disabilities which would limit communication or understanding for risk/consent
Age: 18+
Ability Status: Participants must have a full range of motion/use both legs (the designs being tested are foot anchoring solutions)
Language: must speak fluent English
Study Location/Duration
Participation in this study will take 15-30 minutes, and it will be conducted in room 315 of the Crabtree Building
We are looking for volunteer participants; there will be no compensation for participation
Contact Info
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and direct them to graffb00@byu.edu or 508-868-1333
The principal investigator for this study is Richard Fry, who can be reached at rfry@byu.edu