1) These experiments are designed to study the mechanical and reflex properties of the neuromuscular control system of the ankle. The experimental procedure will involve:

1. construction of a fibre-glass cast of the foot which will be used to attach the foot to the actuator;
2. secure fixation to the experimental table with the foot attached to the pedal of a hydraulic actuator with the custom fitted fibre-glass boot;
3. displacement of the foot about its axis of rotation by the actuator;
4. measurement of the electrical activity of the ankle muscles using surface electrodes applied with a standard technique.
5. Some experiments may also involve electrical stimulation of the muscles of the lower leg.

   2) The experiments are to be conducted by Dr. R.E. Kearney or a trained assistant in Dr. Kearney's laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the Lyman Duff Building of McGill University.

   3) Individual experiments will normally last no more than three hours, including a 30 minute preparation period. Rest periods, lasting approximately 10 minutes, will be scheduled regularly throughout each experiment; additional rest periods will be provided when requested by the subject. During rest periods subjects will be released from the fixation, allowed to sit up, and may remove their foot from the boot.

   4) The forces to be applied to the foot by the actuator will be no larger than those encountered during normal running and jumping. There may be some minor discomfort due to pressure from the cast and other fixation devices and the electrical stimulus may cause some minor discomfort. There is also a possibility of a minor allergic reaction to the EMG electrode paste.

   5) Subjects may withdraw from the experiment at any time and will suffer no personal consequences as a result.

   Consent

   I ___________________________________ agree to participate in an experiment. I am satisfied that I have received a full explanation of experimental procedures, their possible complications and side effects. I have recieved a written description of the details of specific protocol to be used.

   The procedure to be followed in case I should wish to terminate the experiment and be released from the apparatus has been demonstrated to me.

   Subject:__________________________________Date: _______________________

   Witness:_________________________________

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   rob@cortex.biomed.mcgill.ca consent.html

   Revision History:
   1/4/97: Number paragraphs
   2/4/97: Added paragraph 3. describing time required for each experiment.

   Last modified: Wed Apr 2 12:27:30 1997