Research Human Movement Sciences

Research groups

• Neurocontrol

  Spearpoints for the section Neurocontrol are the sensorimotor integration in visually guide movement, the (loss of) stability in movement coordination. The research covers behavioural and electrophysiological assessments as well as neuroimaging and its mathematical conceptualisation.

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• Biomechanics

  The section Biomechanics investigates the function of muscles as mechanical and sensory organs. Example questions are: how is postural stability is maintained against gravity, what sensory information and motor strategies are used to and how is the affected by injury, aging, and disease, but also by training? How are mechanics and energetics of walking and running optimised such that we do not to fall? How do we control our extremities when throwing a ball or when threading a needle?

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• Learning & Performance

  The section Learning & Performance focuses on how perceptual-motor control at the different time scales of development, learning and peak performance is brought about by the constraints on the actor-environment system. It investigates (the best) ways to acquire and facilitate skill in motor tasks by examining the interaction between a task (e.g., object characteristics, task instructions, digital technology), the environment in which it is performed (e.g., when under pressure, doing two things at once), and the characteristics of the actor performing the task (e.g., expertise, brain damage, emotions) with a special emphasis on visual perception (e.g., by using gaze recordings).

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• Physiology

  The physiology section investigates how the human body functions during exercise. Additionally, we investigate how the body adapts to exercise. We do this in the spectrum from the molecular level (e.g. muscle proteins) to the whole body level (e.g. changes in aerobic capacity). The population we investigate differs in age, gender and ethnicity and we also include special groups like elite athletes, disabled, spinal cord injured subjects or patients with muscle diseases. We have a brand new muscle analysis lab and a human performance lab in which we control temperature, humidity, altitude and exercise type and duration. We combine fundamental with applied research with the ultimate goal to improve movement performance in the context of rehabilitation and sports. 

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• Prevention & Rehabilitation

  Neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders negatively impact on neuromechanical function and performance of daily activities. Impaired neuromechanical function may aggravate disorders and symptoms. The section Prevention and Rehabilitation studies mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal dysfunction develops methods for diagnostics and treatment in relation postural control, gait, and upper extremity function in daily settings.

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