Proposal

Narrative

Narrative: Over the past five years, the Exercise Science and Health Promotion Department’s (ESHP) students ask, “Why don’t we have an AlterG in our program, so we can learn the unit prior to going out into our internships?” Since the students are asking for this unit, I wanted to submit this grant. The Alter G, is the state-of-the-art technology that NASA developed. The Alter-G is very effective in physical conditioning and training, while reducing ground reaction forces. This technology can also provide individuals an ability to work out at much higher intensities, while lowering the impact on their bodies. The system is currently in many of the ESHP internship sites, such as • Palm Beach Institute of Sports Medicine, less than one mile from the Boca Raton Campus • Cora Health Physical Therapy, locations throughout Florida • IMG Academies • Premier Therapy Solutions • Universities: Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Florida State University (2), University of Miami, and Conference USA school, such as Rice has 2. • Professional sports teams in Florida also have the AlterG, Miami Heat (2), Orlando Magic, and Florida Marlins For strategic plan (pillars and platforms), in summary, this simulator would involve the area of health and wellness, in which we would definitely be cultivating and teaching the ESHP majors, both graduate and undergraduate, the latest technology to prepare them for their future internships and jobs within our field. Since this particular unit reduces ground reaction forces, the FAU Well Program participants (average age 74 years old), a community-outreach program, could use this under supervision during the PET 4947 course, which meets three times a week. The kinesiology classes (PET 4330C, over 100 students expected for the Spring 2017 courses) could also use this treadmill to analyze impact forces, stride length, and to analyze gait patterns in walking and running in various populations. Assessments could be offered to the community (community engagement area), once training is completed. Advanced automation (Sensing and Smart Systems) can be programmed to accommodate any level of fitness, which is vital for our ESHP students to learn. With the ESHP department’s current ties to athletics, especially with the athletic trainer and Coach Curry, Men’s basketball and Athletic Training, several potential research projects have been discussed. Pat Chun, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Coach Curry, and John Burnside all have been approached to write a letter of support for the AlterG (letters are attached). Not only would our ESHP students benefit, but we can work with athletics to assist rehabbing athletes in a speedier return to play. The AlterG will begin to provide hands on and research experiences for the ESHP students. The students would have scholarship opportunities, plus be able to prepare for graduate level research programs, while creating various research projects, not just within the department, but with FAU athletics and the community. If this request is funded, the equipment would be introduced and used yearly (all three semesters) by more than 800 FAU students [500 to 600 Exercise Science and Health Promotion majors and potentially 200 to 300 FAU athletes]. ESHP students, graduate and undergraduate, will also have the opportunity to be trained on this system. As you know, the FAU ESHP degree is a very popular major at FAU, currently, we are the fourth largest (over 1200+students) undergraduate degree, plus 60+ master’s students. Upgrading the department’s technology with this equipment, the students will be prepared to work and study with state-of-the-art equipment. All of the faculty efforts, in the labs, are designed to instruct the students about exercise science techniques with strong emphasis on the scientific methods of inquiry. These particular opportunities, of having the latest in technology, provide the student a marketable advantage, not only for a job, but for advanced training at the master’s and/or doctorate level. The student also becomes more aware of the process of acquiring scientific knowledge and understanding advanced technology, which will generate more interest in their classes and possibly research. In summary, purchasing the AlterG will allow the ESHP graduate and undergraduate students and athletics many benefits. The proposed goal will improve student training efficiency on their specific techniques, benefit graduate student projects by having another updated piece of equipment, plus increase student research training on this new technology. In fact, this application would enhance the FAU Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) initiative regarding improvements to student training. Thus, this application is an excellent and timely investment in regards to FAU’s research structure.

Facilities

No additional costs for the actual facility, since the AlterG would be housed in the ESHP Laboratory or ESHP designated space.

Hardware Requirements

Hardware: The computer would be configured, per FAU IRM specifications. We will have the College of Education’s Technology team ensure this is met.

Software Requirements

Software: Any software will be Microsoft Office per FAU IRM specifications.

Personnel Costs

No personnel costs are involved with the AlterG.

Other Costs

Other Costs: The only additional cost for this equipment will be electrical, which would be approximately $725 for the labor and additional outlet.

Timeline

Timeline: When monies are available, Spring 2017, the order will be placed immediately to ensure arrival by the beginning of the summer term for use in classes.

Sustainability

Sustainability: This equipment requested is state-of-the-art, so the sustainability should be a minimum of ten to fifteen years. This particular technology will be maintained by the Exercise Science lab manager, research assistants, and faculty.

Resource Matching

Resource Matching: Not available at this time.

Implementing Organization

Implementing Organization: The Exercise Science and Health Promotion faculty (me) and graduate students will implement the set up and installation of the equipment in conjunction with the College of Education for the software. No additional costs or resource restraints, other than electrical will be needed.