Human performance is complex and comprises the interactions of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. These are often explored in isolation making interpretation and understanding limited. The MSk lab group is working to address this and is investigating aspects of this system and how they interact. The research will help us to:

• Understand what constitutes the ‘normal’ the ‘perfect’ and the differing sorts of ‘abnormal’ gait
• Reveal the causal relations between the motion patterns and knee osteoarthritis
• Develop objective methods for analysing gait and biodynamics to diagnosing knee osteoarthritis early, monitor progression and evaluate treatment outcomes
• Design wearable devices to collect data on gait and biodynamics
• Develop early interventions to delay or prevent the progression of knee osteoarthritis
• Explore of wireless technologies to assess and evaluate joint function in order to enhance rehabilitation compliance
• Explore prevalence of Joint hypermobility syndrome develop evidence based exercise programmes
• Maximise performance and predict and reduce risk of injury for elite athletes (e.g. rowers and dancers.
• Improve implementation and inter-therapist reliability of Classification Based Cognitive Functional Therapy

The MSk lab uses state of the art 3D motion capturing systems to analyse human movement, such as the 10-camera Vicon system. As well as movable force platforms (Kistler) to allow a comprehensive 3-D biomechanical assessment of gait. The systems are synchronised to a wireless electromyography system (Myon) to monitor muscle activity. To facilitate clinical translation the MSk lab is also using and developing wearable technologies to allow patients monitoring in everyday environments.