Our main research focus is to understand the biomechanical function in normal and pathological human motion, especially gait.

Computerized movement analysis is used as a tool to mediate a better fundamental understanding of human locomotion to physicians, physiotherapists, biomechanists, and scientists.

The research activities involve the translation between parameters of 3-D motion analysis as biomarkers, neuromusculoskeletal, and microscopic physio-pathological modeling, and patient centered outcome analysis with reference to the 'International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health' (ICF). Personal and environmental factors of daily living through 'Patient-reported Outcome Measures' (PROM) are integrated.

Using a multifactorial, multimodal evaluation of neuro-orthopedic patients and patients with movement disorders, biomechanical and digital tools including 'Virtual Reality' are applied and further developed for evidence-based personalized research from childhood to adulthood.

• The group is part of the Clinical Biomechanics and Ergonomics Engineering (CADENCE) laboratory
• Our modern clinical movement analysis laboratory at the UKBB is equipped with a motion capture system (Vicon, 18 cameras), four force plates (Kistler) and a plate measuring foot pressure (Novel) in line, 16 channel surface electromyography system (Noraxon), and 2 high speed video cameras (Basler). With this equipment we measure the required biomechanical parameters needed to answer scientific questions.
• We calculate three dimensional parameters such as joint angles (kinematics), joint moments and powers (kinetics), temporo-spatial parameters, center of mass, center of pressure, and muscle activation patterns. To do so, we use software programs such as MATLAB.
• We also use specialized modelling software (AnyBody and OpenSim) to simulate a variety of parameters by inverse dynamics. Parameters such as stress, strain and deformations are calculated by finite element analysis with the ANSYS software. A special foot model is applied for foot deformities. The new software is implemented in daily clinical work.  
• Furthermore, our research focuses on clinical outcome of treatment in the field of pediatric neuro-orthopaedics, pediatric orthopaedics and general orthopaedics. This includes determination of a deformity for gait and its correction by orthotic or surgical treatment as well as the evaluation of particular surgical or orthotic techniques in a certain patient population (such as cerebral palsy) and problems independent of gait (such as hip dislocation or scoliosis).