Problem: An area of research in biomechanics and gerontology concerns falls and fall-related injuries, especially for elderly people. Recent studies have focused on how individuals respond to large postural disturbances (e.g., tripping, induced slips). One question is whether subjects can be instructed to improve their recovery from such disturbances. Suppose researchers want to compare two such recovery strategies, lowering (quickly stepping down with front leg and then raising back leg over the object) and elevating (lifting front leg over the object). Subjects will have first been trained on one of these two recovery strategies, and they will be asked to apply it after they feel themselves tripping. The researchers will then induce the subject to trip while walking (but harnessed for safety) using a concealed mechanical obstacle. Suppose the following 24 subjects have agreed to participate in such a study:
Females: Alisha, Alice, Betty, Martha, Audrey, Mary, Barbie, Anna
Males: Matt, Peter, Shawn, Brad, Michael, Kyle, Russ, Patrick, Bob, Kevin, Mitch, Marvin, Paul, Pedro, Roger, Sam
Question:
What's a way to implement a paired design into the situation noted above? Explain on whether or not there would be any benefits to this paired design. Hint: I suggest using an example that we have seen with two different populations.