Study Status Update

Thank you for your interest in my research study on the health impacts of seasonal employment.

At this time, this study is awaiting approval from the Wayne State University Institutional Review Board (IRB). No participant data will be collected until full IRB approval is granted.

I expect to begin recruitment soon. Please check back for updates or contact Edward Kerr using the contact information below if you’d like to be notified when enrollment officially opens.

We appreciate your patience and interest in supporting research that helps improve the health and well-being of outdoor laborers.

From Hard Work to Hard Times

Health Implications of Seasonal Layoffs for Outdoor Laborers
A Longitudinal, Multi-Domain Study of Real-World Worker Health

This study examines the effects of seasonal layoffs on the health, physical well-being, and mental focus of seasonal outdoor laborers. Participation involves two lab visits, weekly online surveys, and eligibility for up to $3,000 in cash prizes.

Participation is free, and all information is kept confidential. The research is conducted through Wayne State University and reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for ethical oversight.

Ready to See if You Qualify?

Take a quick, secure screening questionnaire to find out if you're eligible.

Study Overview

Every year, thousands of skilled laborers are temporarily laid off during the winter. This study aims to understand the physical and psychological effects of that downtime. It focuses on how health, strength, mood, and mental sharpness may change when physically demanding work is paused for several months.

Participants will be asked to:

  • Visit the Wayne State University Exercise Physiology Lab twice. One visit occurs in October before the winter layoff, and the second occurs in March before the layoff period ends

  • Complete brief weekly online surveys about physical activity

  • Complete biweekly online check-ins on mood and mental focus

Study components include VO₂max treadmill testing, vertical jump, grip strength, reaction time, body composition, and short surveys on depression and anxiety (BDI-II and STICSA). All tools are research-validated and commonly used in exercise science and mental health studies.

Those who complete all required components will be entered into a raffle to win one of three cash prizes: $3,000, $1,500, or $500. No payment or purchase is required.

This study is conducted through Wayne State University and has been reviewed by its Institutional Review Board (IRB) for participant safety and research ethics.

What You’ll Do

  • One visit in October before the winter layoff

    One visit in March after the layoff period ends

    Each visit takes about 90 minutes and includes:

    • A treadmill test to measure heart and lung fitness (VO₂max)

    • A vertical jump to test leg strength and power

    • A grip strength test using a hand-held device

    • A body composition scan (DXA) to measure body fat and muscle

    • A reaction time test on a computer

    • A few short paper surveys about your mood, energy, and physical activity.

  • Once a week, you’ll complete a short survey about how physically active you’ve been.
    It takes about 5 minutes and is sent by email or text every Sunday morning.

  • Every two weeks, you’ll fill out two quick surveys that ask how you’re feeling.

    Each survey takes about 5 minutes and is sent by email or text every other Sunday morning.

  • Participants who finish all parts of the study will be entered into a raffle for cash prizes:

    • First prize: $3,000

    • Second prize: $1,500

    • Third prize: $500

    There is no cost to participate, and raffle entries are based on full completion.

Eligibility

This study includes two groups of participants:

🔹 Group 1: Seasonal Workers (Layoff Expected)

You may qualify if you:

  • Are male, between 25 and 55 years old

  • Work outdoors in a physically demanding job (e.g., roofing, masonry, landscaping, carpentry)

  • Expect to be laid off during winter due to seasonal slowdown

  • Are physically able to complete treadmill and strength tests

  • Have access to a smartphone or computer for online surveys

🔹 Group 2: Year-Round Workers (No Layoff Expected)

You may also qualify if you:

  • Are male, between 25 and 55 years old

  • Work full time in a physically demanding job (e.g. manufacturing, warehousing, or indoor construction)

  • Will remain employed throughout the winter

  • Are physically able to complete testing and complete online surveys

You are not eligible if you:

  • Cannot attend both lab visits

  • Are not currently working in a physically demanding job

  • Are not expecting to stay consistently employed or laid off during winter

  • Have medical conditions or injury that prevent safe exercise testing

  • Use medications that affect heart rate or exercise tolerance

  • Have a diagnosed psychological or cognitive condition that interferes with participation

  • Cannot complete online surveys

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This study is for adult men who work in physically demanding jobs, either outdoors or in warehouse/manufacturing settings. Some participants will be laid off during winter, while others will remain employed.

  • No. You just need to be physically able to walk, then run, on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed. The test continues until you reach a point where you’re too tired to continue and choose to stop .

    You’ll also do a few short strength tests including a vertical jump and grip strength test.

  • The surveys are short and ask about your physical activity, mood, stress, and focus. They can be done from your phone and take just a few minutes each week.

  • Each lab visit includes a treadmill test, a few strength tests (like a vertical jump and hand grip), a body scan, and reaction time testing. You’ll also complete a couple of short paper surveys. Each visit takes about 90 minutes.

  • No. Participation is free. All equipment and testing are provided at no cost.

    You will also be reimbursed for your parking for each visit.

  • Anyone who completes both lab visits and all required surveys will be entered into a raffle for three cash prizes:

    • $3,000 (1st)

    • $1,500 (2nd)

    • $500 (3rd)

    There is no cost to enter, and prizes are drawn at the end of the study.

    The total number of entries will not exceed 64, so each eligible participant will have up to a 3 in 64 chance of winning one of the cash prizes.

    Final odds depend on how many participants complete the full study. If fewer than 64 complete, chances of winning increase.

  • Yes. All survey responses and lab results are stored securely and only used for research purposes. Your name will not be attached to your data, and nothing will be shared with your employer.

Questions? Reach Out Anytime.

If you have questions about the study, your eligibility, or how to schedule your visits, contact:

Edward Kerr III, Principal Investigator
email: as3529@wayne.edu
phone: (586) 329-8383

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Wayne State University Institutional Review Board (IRB).
If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, contact:

Wayne State IRB Office
email: IRBQuestions@wayne.edu
phone: (313) 577-1628

Support the Study

This study is being conducted as part of a doctoral research project at Wayne State University. Participation is free, and no purchase is required. However, the raffle prizes offered to participants are personally funded by the researcher.

If you’d like to support the study by helping cover the cost of the raffle prizes, you can do so here:

Every contribution helps make this research possible and supports the health and motivation of the workers participating.