The 2024 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) is seeking faculty, staff and community volunteers to judge during the poster session from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 12 in the Rhatigan Student Center.

The URCAF Committee is counting on volunteers to serve as judges. This is an opportunity to engage with undergraduate Shockers and learn about the exciting research students are engaging in across campus.

Research Topic/Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to determine whether pre and post tongue muscle performance measures differ following a six-week stretching protocol of skeletal muscles.

Procedures: Participants will complete two testing sessions (pre and post), six weeks apart, assessing tongue strength and endurance using the IOPI device and assessing flexibility using the DARI MotionCapture system.

Time: Participation will include two, 45 minute-one hour testing sessions (pre/post).

  • Stretching group: will also include self-conducted stretching sessions three times per week for six weeks.
  • Control group: will maintain current activity level throughout the study.

Inclusion criteria:

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • Currently not engaged in moderate to high-intensity exercise four+ days per week
  • No known neurological disorder or recent oral surgery
  • No known muscular, orthopedic or functional movement disorder
  • Not under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol

Location: 210 Heskett Center, Human Performance Laboratory

Sign-up: Those interested in volunteering for the study can schedule a time online.

For any questions or concerns, contact Jennifer Fernandez at jxfernandez2@shockers.wichita.edu, Zainab Khan at zfkhan@shockers.wichita.edu or Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu, or call 316.978.5150.

The 2024 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) is seeking faculty, staff and community volunteers to judge during the poster session April 12 in the Rhatigan Student Center.

The URCAF Committee is counting on volunteers to serve as judges. This is a great opportunity to engage with Wichita State undergraduate students and learn about the exciting research students are engaging in across campus.

Research topic/purpose for the study: To assess what muscle(s) or muscle groups activate and how an individual’s physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure, muscle oxygen saturation, cardiorespiratory) respond in different position settings (i.e., Power Climb, Power Stairs, Power Sled) while engaging in physical activity on the Challenger.

Procedures: Participants will perform physical activity (e.g., movement of arms and/or legs through a full range of motion) in different body position settings on Challenger, a new fitness device. During the assessment, you will be fitted with electromyography (EMG) electrodes to record muscle response and muscle activity during movement on the device. Heart rate, blood pressure, muscle oxygen saturation and rate of perceived exertion will also be measured. Physical activity in each body position setting will last at least two minutes and no more than 15 minutes while maintaining a heart rate between 60-75% estimated heart rate max.

Time: Participation is expected to last about 45-60 minutes.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria: 

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • No known neuromuscular, orthopedic disorder that may negatively impact body movement
  • No known cardiorespiratory or metabolic health condition(s)
  • No history of previous or current injuries that would impair movement

Location: Human Performance Laboratory, 210 Heskett Center

For any questions or concerns, email Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5150.

Research topic/purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to determine whether pre- and post-tongue muscle performance measures differ following a three-week stretching protocol of skeletal muscles.

Procedures: Participants will complete two testing sessions (pre and post), six-weeks apart, assessing tongue strength and endurance using the IOPI device and assessing flexibility using the DARI MotionCapture system.

Time: Participation will include two, 45 minutes-one hour testing sessions (pre/post).

  • Stretching group: will also include self-conducted stretching sessions three times per week for six weeks.
  • Control group: will maintain current activity level throughout the study.

Inclusion criteria:

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • Currently not engaged in moderate to high-intensity exercise four or more days per week
  • No known neurological disorder or recent oral surgery
  • No known muscular, orthopedic or functional movement disorder
  • Not under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol

Location: 210 Heskett Center, Human Performance Laboratory.

For any questions or concerns, contact Jennifer Fernandez at jxfernandez2@shockers.wichita.edu, Zainab Khan at zfkhan@shockers.wichita.edu or Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5150.

Join the Department of Human Performance Studies as its faculty and staff salutes students from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 in the Heskett Center lobby.

Sample some great chili, vote for the overall favorite and see which student and which faculty/staff wins the Judges’ Choice Award. Bring a minimum of one non-perishable food item for a local food bank or a $2 donation and join for a great treat.

Door prizes will also be given away.

Volunteers are needed to determine whether there is a relationship between tongue muscle performance and skeletal muscle flexibility.

Participants will complete tongue strength and endurance measures using the IOPI device and perform a series of movements to asses flexibility using the DARI Motion Capture system. Participation will include a one-time commitment lasting approximately an hour at the Human Performance Laboratory, 210 Heskett Center.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • No known neurological disorder or recent oral surgery
  • No known muscular, orthopedic or functional movement disorder
  • Not under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol

Those interested in volunteering for this study should schedule online.

For any questions or concerns, contact Jennifer Fernandez at jxfernandez2@shockers.wichita.edu, Zainab Khan at zfkhan@shockers.wichita.edu or Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or at 316-978-5150.

Participants are needed to assess the accuracy of the balance, reaction time and cognitive assessment modules of the SWAY mobile application. Balance, reaction time, and cognitive function will be tested using the SWAY application.

Participation will include three separate sessions placed one week (seven to 10 days) apart at the Human Performance Laboratory, 210 Heskett Center. Each weekly session is expected to last about 30-45 minutes.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria:

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • No known muscular disorders
  • No known neurological or ADHD disorders
  • No known orthopedic disorder
  • No uncorrected vision

Those interested in volunteering to participate in the study should schedule online or contact Justin Burma at jtburman@shockers.wichita.edu or Jose Miranda at jmmiranda1@shockers.wichita.edu.

For any questions or concerns, email Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or 316-978-5150.

Participants are requested to partake in research study to assess the accuracy of the balance, reaction time and cognitive assessment modules of the SWAY mobile app.

Balance, reaction times and cognitive functions of participants will be tested using the SWAY app using a smart device. Participation will include three separate sessions placed one week apart. Each weekly session is expected to last 30-45 minutes. The study will be conducted by 210 Heskett Center, Human Performance Laboratory.

Participants must be age 18 or older, have no known muscular, neurological, ADHD or orthopedic disorders and must have no uncorrected vision.

Those interested in participating can schedule online or contact Justin Burman at jtburman@shockers.wichita.edu or Jose Miranda at jmmiranda1@shockers.wichita.edu.

For questions, email Dr. Heidi Bell at heidi.bell@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5150.

The Department of Human Performance Studies-Exercise Science, in collaboration with the Department of Psychology-Clinical Psychology, is seeking volunteers for a study. The study will focus on the accuracy of reaction time and cognitive function tests in comparison with traditional tests widely accepted and used in a clinical and sport setting.

The procedures will include a study of participants’ reaction time, cognitive function and balance. These will then be assessed with different mobile device applications, a computer-based test and traditional paper tests. Three to five-minute breaks will be allowed between tests. Participation will include a one-time, two-hour and 30-to-45 minute session. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants must be age 18 or older
  • No known muscular disorders
  • No known neurocognitive disorders
  • No known orthopedic disorders
  • No known balance disorders
    • Eyeglass and contact wearers are welcome

The study will be conducted at the Heskett Center Human Performance Lab (Room 215). SONA Credits will be available to Wichita State Students who participate in the study. No financial compensation will be provided for participation in this study.

To participate in the study, schedule using the following contact R.J. Britton at 620-203-1164 or rjbritton@shockers.wichita.edu. Participants can also apply for the study on SWAY.S

For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Bell at 316-978-5151 or heidi.bell@wichita.edu.