Understanding body changes during pregnancy to improve workplace ergonomics.
Official title: Capturing body segment changes during pregnancy to develop an accurate biomechanical model.
Funded at William Paterson University · NIH-10868026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a woman's body changes during pregnancy to create helpful guidelines that make work safer and more comfortable for pregnant employees.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | William Paterson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wayne, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $63,961 |
| NIH project number | 1R03OH012700-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10868026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who are currently working or planning to return to work during their pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who are not in the workforce may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on capturing how the body changes during pregnancy to create accurate models that reflect these changes. By assessing body segment parameters, such as mass and center of mass, the study aims to develop ergonomic standards specifically for pregnant individuals in the workforce. The research will involve collecting longitudinal data on body changes throughout pregnancy and using this data to create models that can help improve safety and comfort for pregnant workers. These models will be made publicly available for use in various applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved ergonomic standards that enhance the safety and comfort of pregnant individuals in the workplace.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting ergonomic standards for pregnant workers, similar approaches in biomechanics have shown promise in other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
William Paterson University
Wayne, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wicke, Jason — William Paterson University
- Study coordinator: Wicke, Jason
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.