John Chomack from New York University has been chosen as a winner of the Seed for Science 2023 initiative for his research project, Effects of Adaptive Sports on Mechanisms of Mobility in Visual Impairment. To support advancements in his research, the De Luca Foundation has awarded him a $10,000 stipend; Trigno EMG equipment from Delsys; and Moxy, VO2 Master, and Polar biofeedback sensors.
John Chomack’s research looks to investigate the influence of adaptive sports on participants with blind and low vision by characterizing their performance of real-life tasks in their homes and communities. He hypothesizes that people with blind and low vision who participate in adaptive sports will demonstrate higher functional mobility in their home and community environments, driven by greater muscular, cardiometabolic/vascular, and psychosocial mechanisms as compared to participants who do not participate in adaptive sports. John Chomack is using the Trigno Lite EMG system to determine muscle activity during gait testing, while synchronously collecting VO2, heart rate, and muscle oxygenation using the Trigno Link. Thanks to the portability of the Trigno Lite system, John Chomack’s data collections are not confined to a laboratory, and he is able to collect data in the field where research on individuals with blind and low vision is lacking.
“Through my engagement with adaptive sport organizations like Achilles, and Department of Veteran Affairs, I have gained insight into the barriers and challenges the athletes face aside from their disability. I have also seen the joy, comradery, and accomplishments these individuals have worked so hard to achieve. Thus, the scope of my work will focus on an interdisciplinary biopsychosocial model encompassing biomechanical principles and these individuals’ experiences.”
“This project will allow me the opportunity to progress within my studies and expand upon our present knowledge of how physical activity through adaptive sports affects visually impaired individuals in a real-world environment.”
John Chomack
“I thank you the gait lab study for this opportunity to help with improving citizens’ health. This was an experience for this blinded veteran to remember for days to come. The instructors were very professional, informative and courteous.
I hope to be of some service to this company in the future as an American under the banner of red, white and blue. The gait lab is doing a great job.”
Anonymous Study Participant
Real-world gait assessments to determine functional mobility
John Chomack’s research will provide a greater understanding of the neuromusculoskeletal, cardiometabolic/vascular, and psychosocial functionality of blind and low vision people. This offers important insights into how an active use of the muscles can help maintain functional mobility for this population. Overall, this study will advance knowledge in improving biopsychosocial factors for people with blind and low vision and offer suggestions for increasing their quality of life.
John Chomack has already recruited participants and collected some preliminary data. As he continues to complete his Seed for Science project, he will be presenting his work at the XIV Symposium on Applied Neuromechanics in Florianopolis, Brazil!
References
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