PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET

Energy expenditure while playing racketball

Dear Participant,
Thank you for showing an interest in our study, here are some answers to questions you may be wishing to ask…

What is the study about?

Racketball is a sport that is intermittent in nature because it involves many different types of movements (lunging, running, jogging, etc) around the court during rallies, punctuated by brief periods of rest.  For this reason, it has been impossible to measure the energy expenditure of players during a match; until now.  The emergence of activity monitors that can combine physiological data such as heart rate with movement data from accelerometers (motion sensors) now enables the calculation of energy expenditure whilst doing intermittent exercise.  The aim of this study is to measure the energy expenditure of players during a match using one of these small, lightweight activity monitors.  It is likely that the energy expenditure of the match will be affected by the level of competition.  Therefore, a second aim is to compare energy expenditure during recreational matches with that during competitive matches.

How will I be involved?

The study will involve wearing the activity monitor for 3 whole days, one of which will require you to play a normal match of racketball against another player of a similar standard.  We hope to match you with another study participant, of similar playing standard, to play your match against.  The matches can be played at the Munrow Sports Centre, University of Birmingham, or one of the local squash/racketball clubs.

Initial Visit

At the initial visit you will fill out a General Health Questionnaire and will have a chance to ask us any questions you may have; if you are then happy to take part in the study, and meet our criteria, you will be invited into our study. At this point we will measure your height and weight.  We will then explain how to fit and use the activity monitor. The activity monitor is lightweight (50g) and compact (8.6cm x 3.3cm x 1.5cm), and is worn at the waist using a neoprene pouch and elastic belt.  We will also show you how to fit the chest strap (for heart rate recording).  You will then be asked to wear the monitor and chest strap for 3 whole days (except when sleeping) to coincide with playing a match of racketball. The 3 days can be either rest day, match day, recovery day, or match day, recovery day, rest day; but we will assign you to one of these sequences.

Match day

Like the other days we will ask that you wear the activity monitor (and chest strap) for the whole of this day.  On the match day we will ask you to come to the Munrow Sports Centre (or one of the local squash/racketball clubs) in the morning having abstained from eating for 3 hours beforehand.  You will then complete an initial 15min rest period while energy expenditure will be recorded while sitting.  Next you will play a match of racketball against another study participant that we will match you with based on similar ability.  Finally, you will then rest for 30 minutes while energy expenditure will be recorded while sitting.  You are then free to leave the sports centre, but we would like you to continue wearing the activity monitor (and chest strap) for the remainder of the day.

Rest day and Recovery day

We don’t want you to do anything unusual except to wear the activity monitor and chest strap for the whole of the waking part of these days.  You should aim to carry out your normal activities on these days so that they represent your normal activity level.

How do I benefit from participation?

Although the study would require you remembering to wear the activity monitor we think you would find the study interesting, and hopefully your results will reinforce to you the benefits of regular exercise.  We will provide you with your own individual results together with a summary of the study (summarised and collated results will be anonymous).

Are there any risks involved in participation?

As all participants are regular players there is no undue risk of taking part in this study.  There is a health questionnaire to fill in to check on health details such as chest pains, blood pressure, etc. 

Can I take part in the study?

We are looking for non-smoking female racketball players, aged 18-65, who regularly play racketball and satisfy the requirements of our General Health Questionnaire.  If you suffer from any of the following conditions then you will not be permitted to participate in the study; diabetes, cold or flu like symptoms, heart problems, chest pains during exercise, exercise induced asthma or high blood pressure (i.e. greater than 140/90).  Also, if you are currently taking any of the following medication you will not be permitted to take part in the study; diuretics, beta blockers, alpha agonists, vasodilators or any medication which directly affects your appetite.  If you fulfil these criteria we will only use you as a participant if we are happy you understand the study and have provided informed written consent.

Can I change my mind?

If at any point you wish to withdraw from the study, you may do so. Participation is NOT compulsory, however we do ask that it should be considered carefully, i.e. do you have the time to spare?  If you do not wish to participate, you will continue to be treated as before.

What happens to the information?

Research data stored in paper form, such as your age, weight, height, address and medical information will be stored in a locked filling cabinet in the principal researcher’s office.  You will be assigned a unique study ID and experimental data will be stored using this unique ID number on a password protected computer for analysis purposes.  Data will only be accessed by principal investigators and study personnel.  In line with the University’s guidelines on records management research data will be retained intact for a period of ten years from the date of any publication which is based upon it. Should you withdraw from the study your research data will be destroyed, and subsequently your data will not be included in any publications. 

What do I do next?

If you feel you would like to be involved in our study, have any questions, or would like some further information, please get in touch and we can arrange a meeting.

Contacts:

            Aoife Reilly
Phone: 0121 414 4952 (office)
Email: a.reilly.1@bham.ac.uk

Dr Andrew K Blannin (B.Sc, Ph.D)                            
Phone: 0121 414 7353 (office)                                  
Email: A.K.Blannin@bham.ac.uk