Units

Laboratory for Functional Anatomy

Person in charge of the Unit : Oui

Teaching descriptive, functional and palpatory anatomy and embryology to physical therapy, physical education and osteopathy students. Research: functional anatomy and biomechanics (1) spatial electrogoniometry applied in vivo and in vitro, (2) evaluation of lumbar and cervical spine kinematics in normal and clinical conditions (disk disease, Whiplash Syndrome, kinematics and effect of certain manipulation techniques), (3) three-dimensional imaging and kinematic analysis, (4) functional anatomy of the wrist, (5) gait analysis

ULB Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Sports

Person in charge of the Unit : Oui

U-IRIS is intended to bring together research skills existing at ULB in the fields of sports and physical activity in order to stimulate collaboration and interdisciplinary research. The research carried out within U-IRIS could be the basis of evidence-based advice in various fields of sport and physical activity. ULB and each of U-IRIS partner groups, as well as their existing activities, platforms, infrastructures and collaborations, will gain in visibility, both internally and externally in a promising and rapidly evolving field.

The research carried out by U-IRIS is designed to be both fundamental and applied. It is developed around five major axes:
- clinics / sports medicine
- high level sports / performance
- rehabilitation / handicap and sports
- sports and society (including education through sports)
- prevention / public health / nutrition.

The groups participating in U-IRIS represent the Faculties of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Medicine, Psychology and Educational Sciences, Motor Sciences, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, the School of Public Health, the Research Department, ULB-Sports and the Erasme Academic Hospital.

Projetcs

Evaluation of shoulder kinematics. Electrogoniometric, magnetic tracking study and 3D analysis of videoscopic images

The development of a spatial linkage suitable for the study of shoulder kinematics led to a comparative study of the results obtained by several different technological means (electrogoniometry, Flock of Bird, Ariel). Establishment of a normal database and clinical applications, especially in shoulder instability, are the aims of this project

Development and applications of a technique for continuous and real-time tracking and analysis of muscle lever arm evolution

The measuring technique is based on muscle length change sampling as a function of joint motion. By derivation, muscle lever arm and its evolution as a function of joint position are analyzed instantaneously. Applications: muscles of lower leg and foot, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, upper cervical spine

Functional evaluation of the lumbar spine using electrogoniometry

Using a commercial electrogoniometer, lumbar spine motion was analysed. Results from a reference population of more than 80 asymptomatic volunteers are available. Clinical application includes evaluation of lumbar kinematics in patients displaying various diseases of the lumbar spine. We analyse, besides maximal ranges, out-of-plane motion and motion patterns

Analysis of global wrist kinematics using spatial electrogoniometry. Normal kinematics, analysis of circumduction envelope and clinical applications

Using homemade spatial linkages, a normal database of wrist kinematics for planar motion and for the complex movement of circumduction was established. This technique is applied in pre-surgical evaluation and during follow-up as well as in anatomical preparations to analyse the effect of partial arthrodeses or ligament lesions

Development and applications of an electrogoniometric system for continuous and real-time tracking and analysis of three-dimensional joint kinematics

This project aims at developping and constructing instrumentation, software and methodology needed for the application of spatial electrogoniometry to instantaneous analysis of the kinematics of various joints. Applications: in vitro and in vivo kinematics of ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist.

Functional evaluation of the cervical spine using electrogoniometry

Using a commercial electrogoniometer, cervical spine motion was analysed. Results from a reference population of more than 100 asymptomatic volunteers are available. Clinical application includes evaluation of cervical kinematics in patients displaying various diseases of the cervical spine (Whiplash, disk hernia). We analyse, besides maximal ranges, out-of-plane motion and motion patterns

kinematics of spinal manual therapy techniques and their effects n spinal kinematics

Three-dimensional electrogoniometric, electromagnetic tracking and optoelectronic study of the kinematics of spinal manipulation techniques in anatomic specimens, asymptomatic volunteers and patients. Analysis of active spine kinematics modifications after application of the technique. Application to other techniques (spinal traction, Mitchell, other techniques).

Justifying the concept of a variable functional anatomy of the wrist. Relation between osseous and ligamentous morphology and function

Based on recent results demonstrating individually variable carpal morphology and biomechanics, a variable functional model of the carpus is advanced. According to this model, this project aims at bringing into relationship various morphological and functional features of the wrist. Repercussions are expected in the field of carpal pathology diagnosis and personalised therapeutic choice