Motivation of Movement
Why do we choose to be active or inactive? How can we inspire movement?
HMRC research focuses on:
- Using and developing wearable sensors to track movement and inactivity
- Assessing wellness in the community
- Understanding the connection between the mind and body
Tracking movement and inactivity in the workplace allows us to improve community wellness using wearable sensors. This work will aid in better understanding and addressing population health issues such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Other research focuses on attention and distractibility during physical activity. This has implications for inactivity, productivity, and aging, such as in disordered aging associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mechanics of Movement
How do we move? What is abnormal and how do we fix it?
HMRC research focuses on:
- Mapping normal and abnormal movement using motion analysis
- Enhancing performance
- Rehabilitating from mobility limiting disease and injury
With state-of-the-art motion tracking systems, we are able to track the intricacies of human movement. By doing this, we can better understand and improve normal and abnormal walking and everyday motion.
This work helps to improve athletic performance and to correct movement deficits in various movement disorders, such as stroke, limb loss, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, obesity, and athletic injury rehabilitation and prevention.
Consequence of Movement
What diseases and injuries happen when we move or don’t move?
HMRC research focuses on:
- Treating and preventing heart disease and metabolic syndromes
- Rehabilitating and preventing musculoskeletal disease
- Avoiding injuries or falls
By visualizing blood flow around the heart we can improve the design of new cardiac devices and better diagnose and treat heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, and strokes.
Many members of the HMRC are working to prevent and treat musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, athletic injuries and other disorders resulting in movement abnormalities, such as partial paralysis, stroke, and amputation.