School of Science and Engineering

Participant Information Sheet

The effect of repeated impact loading on knee structure and function in rock
climbers
1. Invitation to research
We would like to invite you to take part in a study investigating knee health and osteoarthritis
development in rock climbers. Bouldering (in door rock climbing) involves climbing short and
low routes roughly four to five metres up. However, unlike rock climbing, bouldering does not
involve the use of a harness. Instead, safety mats are placed on the ground to help reduce the
impact of falls. Despite the fact that mats are placed on the ground, individuals who regularly
partake in bouldering subject their knees to repeated impact from the four to five metre falls.
Unfortunately little information is available regarding the effects of repeated impact from
falling on knee health in rock climbers and how these issues can progression over time. It is
therefore important to investigate this issue so that knee issues arising in those who partake
in bouldering can be better understood.
2. Why have I been invited?
You have been selected to partake in this study as you have previous experience rock
climbing/bouldering. This study involves investigating knee issues and osteoarthritis that may
be associated with this activity.
3. Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide. We will describe the study and go through the information sheet,
which we will give to you. We will then ask you to sign a consent form to show you agreed to
take part. You are free to withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.
4. What will I be asked to do?
Your participation in the study would entail you answering questions related to your health,
rock climbing history as well as any knee pain that you may or may not have experienced. The
questions should take no longer than 30 minutes to answer and will provide important
information for the study.
5. Are there any risks if I participate?
Participation in the study presents no risks.
6. Are there any advantages if I participate?
Your participation will aid in further knowledge on a subject you are invested in and can
help others who partake in the same hobbies. It will be used to inform coaching practice and

Page 1 / 4
Version: 2 Date: 25/06/19
Ethical approval number (EthOS): 5757 Date: 06/06/19
School of Science and Engineering

develop training processes at recreational and elite level. Information obtained from the
study could aid in safety improvements to those who rock climb/boulder. MRI and
Ultrasound images will also be produced which may be of interest, although no diagnostic
conclusions will be able to be drawn from them.
7. What will happen with the data I provide?
When you agree to participate in this research, we will collect from you personally-
identifiable information.
The Manchester Metropolitan University (‘the University’) is the Data Controller in respect
of this research and any personal data that you provide as a research participant.
The University is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and manages
personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the
University’s Data Protection Policy.
We collect personal data as part of this research (such as name, telephone numbers or age).
As a public authority acting in the public interest we rely upon the ‘public task’ lawful basis.
When we collect special category data (such as medical information or ethnicity) we rely
upon the research and archiving purposes in the public interest lawful basis.
Your rights to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage
your information in specific ways in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. If you
withdraw from the study, we will keep the information about you that we have already
obtained.
We will not share your personal data collected in this form with any third parties. If your
data is shared this will be under the terms of a Research Collaboration Agreement which
defines use, and agrees confidentiality and information security provisions. It is the
University’s policy to only publish anonymised data unless you have given your explicit
written consent to be identified in the research. The University never sells personal data to
third parties.
We will only retain your personal data for as long as is necessary to achieve the research
purpose. Results from the questionnaires will be stored both electronically and on paper,
answers from the paper questionnaire will be transcribed electronically and be stored as
such. With original surveys being kept under lock and key at MMU until completion of the
study.
For further information about use of your personal data and your data protection rights
please see the University’s Data Protection Pages.
What will happen to the results of the research study?

Page 2 / 4
Version: 2 Date: 25/06/19
Ethical approval number (EthOS): 5757 Date: 06/06/19
School of Science and Engineering

Personal data will be deleted electronically where available, results from paper
questionnaire will also be destroyed on project completion. This will be done via shredding
and disposed of using a MMU confidential waste bin.
Who has reviewed this research project?
Supervisor – Dr. Emma Hawke
Who do I contact if I have concerns about this study or I wish to complain?
Researcher – 15089787@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Supervisor – e.hawke@mmu.ac.uk
Head of research ethics and Governance for the School of Science and Engineering -
gethin.evans@mmu.ac.uk
If you have any concerns regarding the personal data collected from you, our Data
Protection Officer can be contacted using the legal@mmu.ac.uk e-mail address, by calling
0161 247 3331 or in writing to: Data Protection Officer, Legal Services, All Saints Building,
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6BH. You also have a right to lodge a
complaint in respect of the processing of your personal data with the Information
Commissioner’s Office as the supervisory authority. Please see:
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT

Individuals who are local to the area of Manchester will be asked to participate in an additional
aspect of the study that requires MRI and Ultrasound images being taken.

1. Invitation to research
This aspect of the study involves MRI and Ultrasound images being taken that will provide
important information regarding knee health and osteoarthritis.
2. Why have I been invited?
Individuals local to the area of Manchester have been invited as this aspect of the study
involves attendance at a session in order for MRI and Ultrasound images to be taken.
3. Do I have to take part?
There is no compulsion to take part in the study.

Page 3 / 4
Version: 2 Date: 25/06/19
Ethical approval number (EthOS): 5757 Date: 06/06/19
School of Science and Engineering

4. What will I be asked to do?

You will be asked to sit/lay in an MRI machine while scans are conducted. Ultrasound scans
are also required.
5. Are there any risks if I participate?

For this testing session there will be a number of exclusion criteria for MRI that will apply. If
any of the exclusion criteria are present, participants will not be permitted to enter the
scanning area and undergo a scan. They will not be excluded from the study; we will just not
conduct this testing session with them. A screening questionnaire that is used for this
purpose within our research institute will be administered to participants prior to this
testing session. If there is any doubt regarding certain criteria, we will take the side of
caution and postpone the scan while seeking further medical advice from an implanting
clinician/device manufacturer etc.

Exclusion criteria for MRI scanning are:

 Women who are, or may be pregnant

 Ferromagnetic foreign bodies
 Cardiac pacemakers/cardioverter defibrillators
 Cochlear implants
 Intrauterine devices
 Implanted drug infusion pumps

6. Are there any advantages if I participate?

Your participation will aid in further knowledge on a subject you are invested in and can
help others who partake in the same hobbies. Information obtained from the study could
aid in safety improvements to those who rock climb/boulder. MRI and Ultrasound images
will also be produced which may be of interest.
7. What will happen with the data I provide?
Documentation from the MRI and Ultrasound scans will be stored electronically on
password protected encrypted storage devices. Personal data will be deleted electronically
where available on project completion.

Page 4 / 4
Version: 2 Date: 25/06/19
Ethical approval number (EthOS): 5757 Date: 06/06/19