I am having so much fun with my research and I am so very excited to be able to present it at the Undergraduate Symposium. I started my research about 7 months ago. In that time, I have been asked probably 40 plus times if my research will make a difference or if it will really have an impact on my area of study. My obvious and continual answer. Absolutely and without a doubt!!
Skeletal muscular strength is an important component of health as it relates to bone/mineral health, functional capacity, fall risk, and preservation of lean body mass. Studies have shown a significant loss in lean muscle mass (LMM) following bariatric surgery. While it has been speculated that exercise training with an emphasis on strength training can attenuate the loss of LMM there have not been any studies, to our knowledge, reporting the rate of decline in relative muscular strength in this population.
The purpose of my study is to describe changes in muscular strength at three and six months following bariatric surgery. In addition, I am also examining the relationship between strength and several potential co-variants such as albumin, caloric intake, strength training etc.
Why is this so important? For me, I got involved in this research for a few reasons.
- I am a bariatric patient and the knowledge base from the time I had my surgery five years ago to now has not change very much. It is amazes me how little many allied professionals, athletic trainers, nutritionists really know about bariatric patients and how to care for them after surgery. Although bariatric surgery has been around for over 40 years, there have not been any real studies on how it affects muscular strength at different levels post op.
- I passionately believe that in order to see something grow, there has to be change and a constant information highway. This cannot happen without research.
- Exercise, nutrition and behavior modification are the key to maintaining successful weight loss. If the professionals do not know how the changes occur post surgery then they cannot properly educate the patient on how to be successful.
It is so important for my research to get out into the information highway. It is through these types of pilot studies that other studies emerge and changes are made. It is through these studies that insurances open up their policies to assist those who need the help with all of the co-morbidities that comes with obesity. So when you ask will my research make a difference, be prepared to get a rendition of the importance of my research and of all research projects in how they help to mold what we do.