Our Approach
We want to understand how humans move
A better understanding of how the body moves helps us improve the way people train, recover, and perform in everyday life and sport. By combining advanced measurement techniques with computer simulations, we study how muscles, bones, and tendons work together to create movement. This broad, integrated approach allows us to design more precise and personalized training, rehabilitation, and medical solutions. Ultimately, we aim to make healthcare and training more precise and personalized, using digital models of the human body to support individuals of all ages and abilities, and to help push the boundaries of human movement.
Measurements
We evaluate how the body performs during movement. We use motion capture systems to track movement, strength testing devices (dynamometry) to measure force, metabolic testing to understand energy use, and electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activity.
To study the body’s anatomy, we use modern imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and 3D body scanning. These tools allow us to look inside the body safely and non-invasively. We also study preserved anatomical specimens through careful dissection to better understand how muscles, bones, and connective tissues are arranged and how they interact.
Modelling
We turn experimental data into computer models of the musculoskeletal system, representing bones, joints, muscles, and tendons to simulate movement under different conditions. All our models are open source and compatible with software like OpenSim, OpenSimCreator, and Scone, allowing other researchers to use and build upon them. These models let us estimate things we can’t measure directly, such as joint loads and muscle forces, and test scenarios virtually, speeding up innovation and enabling more personalized treatment. At the heart of our work is a shift away from “one-size-fits-all” models toward a diverse database of body types and tools to quickly create models tailored to specific populations.
Beyond the lab
Beyond the lab, we develop and test monitoring and feedback technologies that bring our research into real-world settings. Through collaborations with industry and community partners, we combine biomechanical insights with sensor technology to turn our models into practical tools. This way, our research closes the loop between measurement, modelling, and practical application, empowering individuals to measure, understand, and improve their own movement.