Biological Sciences master\u2019s student Holly Eaton earned second place, Applied Health Science master\u2019s student Jessica Malcolm came in third and Critical Sociology master\u2019s student Faith Westman won the People\u2019s Choice award.<\/p>\n
Nickel\u2019s research introduces practical adaptations to better support athletes who cannot rely on visual cues during assessment in her research, including using light sources in place of visual targets and textured surfaces to guide balance tests.<\/p>\n
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Anna Nickel, an Applied Health Sciences master\u2019s student, presented her research on adapting standard used concussion assessment tools for athletes with visual impairments at Brock University\u2019s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals on Tuesday, March 24.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cJust because someone can\u2019t complete a standard test doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t assess them,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can adapt the tools so they are accessible and still meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The commonly used Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, for example, includes tasks such as walking heel-to-toe along a straight line to assess balance, which can be difficult or inaccessible for athletes with visual impairments. To address this, Nickel and her team created a textured line on the floor, allowing athletes to feel the path underfoot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking directly with athletes and asking what works best for them allows us to adapt tools like the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool so they are accessible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Nickel\u2019s goal is to ensure clinicians are better equipped to assess and treat athletes with visual impairments, helping prevent situations where individuals are turned away due to a lack of appropriate tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping this research amplifies athletes\u2019 voices and shows clinicians there are ways to adapt assessments and treatment, so care is accessible for everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As a 3MT competitor, Nickel had to rethink how she communicates her research, shifting from technical language to a format that is accessible to a broad audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cExplaining your work to a general audience is very challenging because you have to rethink everything you know,\u201d she said. \u201cYou need to break it down, test it with others and be willing to change how you say something until it truly makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nickel leaned on her support network while preparing for 3MT, including practicing weekly with her supervisor, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology Amanda Black; attending the 3MT workshops to refine her presentation; and rehearsing with friends outside her field, using their feedback to clarify complex ideas.<\/p>\n