LM

Evaluating the effect of obesity on central drive using near-infrared spectroscopy and the implications for physical work

The objective of this study is to quantify obesity-related differences in central and peripheral responses during physical work. Understanding these differences will enable the improved characterization of the effects of obesity on work capacity, performance, and injury risk. The main hypothesis is that the obese group will exhibit decreased central response, as measured by cerebral hemodynamics and task performance. Specifically, it is hypothesized that obesity will adversely affect cerebral oxygenation and systemic metabolic responses.

Project Collaborator: Dr. Rammohan Maikala, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

Related Presentations and Publications:

1. Cavuoto, L.A. & Maikala, R.V. (2015) Role of obesity on cerebral hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory responses in healthy men during repetitive incremental lifting. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115, 1905-1917.

2. Cavuoto, L.A. & Maikala, R.V. (2015) Influence of repetitive lifting on cardiorespiratory and cerebral responses with obesity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47: 5 Supplement. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

3. Maikala, R.V., Cavuoto, L.A., Maynard, W.S., Fox, R.R., Lin, J.-H., & Liu, J. (2014) Aging, obesity and beyond: Assessment of work and implications for healthy work environment. Proceedings of the 2014 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), Chicago, IL. 5pp.