Therapeutic exercise and movement control

Topic of research

The group's research explores the use of therapeutic exercise and interventions aimed at promoting control of movement as a tool to promote neuromotor development, and treat and prevent dysfunctions of the locomotive and nervous system apparatus.

Physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in evaluating and acting in the processes involved in the control and execution of movement. The research that explores the mechanisms associated with motor control and musculoskeletal activity is essential for correct physiotherapeutic practice and provides a foundation that can be applied to the determination of normal ranges and an appropriate approach to possible alterations. Based on this foundation, we examine different aspects associated with motor control, from neural interventions to muscular execution. To do this we use movement analysis system of the UIC Biomechanical and Physiology of Exercise Lab.

Concrete examples of active projects in this area are the analysis of the effectiveness of different exercise programmes to improve balance for patients who have suffered stroke, programmes to improve how the functionality of the upper limb affects children with infantile hemiparesis, and the exploration of muscle and motor changes with the use of the blood flow restriction technique.

The main objectives are

1. Analyse the mechanisms of evaluation and physiotherapy treatment in processes involved in the control and execution of the movement during different stages of life.
2. Contrast the effects of physiotherapy on the improvement of development or neuromotor control in people at risk of delay in this development or with pathologies that affect motor control.
3. Explore the effects of different physiotherapeutic interventions and exercise programmes on muscle and tendon tissue.
4. Discuss interventions aimed at promoting physical activity in children as a measure of prevention or treatment of different pathologies.