Equestrian riding is a beneficial lifelong physical activity. However, literature has shown that long-term riders experience chronic lower back pain due to riding. As biological engineers, we want to better understand the causes of this chronic pain by measuring the riding impacts on the lower back of the rider. We must identify the location on the spine and quantify the impacts at this location. Our end goal is to design and produce a wearable sensor system that measures the loading conditions experienced.

Team: Christina Herrold, Lauren Bell, Maria Morales Menendez, Sam Day

Advisors: Michael "Mick" Peterson, Ph.D., Sue Nokes, Ph.D., Josh Jackson, Ph.D., and Karin Pekarchik