Musculo-skeletal adaptations to exercise, disuse, disease and ageing

The main focus of this research area is the study how the structure and function of human muscles, tendons and joints are all altered in response to:

  • acute exercise and exercise training
  • chronic disuse (for example immobilization following a spinal cord injury, during a space flight or enforced confinement)
  • ageing

Muscles, tendons and joints are being studied in vivo, using non-invasive scanning techniques such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to establish structural adaptation and their functional consequences.

These studies enhance our knowledge on the biomechanical factors involved in the transmission of contractile forces to the skeleton to produce movement and provide crucial information as to how we can best intervene to ameliorate deteriorations in musculoskeletal structure and function, and improve daily mobility and athletic performance.

Ultrasound scanners dedicated for in vivo muscle and tendon research are available at the RISES and links with other institutes exist for accessing MRI and fluoroscopy scanning facilities and the study of joint structure and function.

Our staff

  • Prof Costis Maganaris
  • Prof Tom O’Brien
  • Prof Bill Baltzopoulos
  • Dr  Theo Bampouras

Primary contact

  • Prof Costis Maganaris

Publication spotlights

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Comparative analysis of muscle synergies in gait of stroke patients and healthy controls

Supersonic shear wave elastography of human tendons is associated with in vivo tendon stiffness over small strains

Metabolic and molecular responses of human patellar tendon to concentric- and eccentric-type exercise in youth and older age

Automated Method for Tracking Human Muscle Architecture on Ultrasound Scans during Dynamic Tasks

Muscle and tendon adaptations to moderate load eccentric vs. concentric resistance exercise in young and older males

A Novel Smart Shoe Instrumented with Sensors for Quantifying Foot Placement and Clearance during Stair Negotiation.

Stair-Fall Risk Parameters in a Controlled Gait Laboratory Environment and Real (Domestic) Houses: A Prospective Study in Faller and Non-Faller Groups

Accuracy and Precision of a Novel Photogate System to Measure Toe Clearance on Stairs

Underlying mechanisms of fall risk on stairs with inconsistent going size

Prediction of balance perturbations and falls on stairs in older people using a biomechanical profiling approach: A 12-month longitudinal study

The next step in optimising the stair horizontal-vertical illusion: Does a perception-action link exist in older adults?

Negotiating stairs with an inconsistent riser: Implications for stepping safety

Optimal lighting levels for stair safety: Influence of lightbulb type and brightness on confidence, dynamic balance and stepping characteristics

Community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairments show subtle visual attention costs when descending stairs

Mobile phone use impairs stair gait: A pilot study on young adults

 Stair negotiation behaviour of older individuals: Do step dimensions matter?

 Combined Resistance and Stretching Exercise Training Benefits Stair Descent Biomechanics in Older Adults

Centre of mass control is reduced in older people

A novel multivariate approach for biomechanical profiling of stair negotiation

Alternate stair descent strategies for reducing joint moment demands in older individuals

Surgical stress

Should all minimal access surgery

Weighted vests in CrossFit increase physiological stress

High intensity interval training

Effect of environmental temperature change

Mechanisms of head stability

Head flexion and different walking speeds

Carrying shopping bags

Homogeneity of fascicle architecture

Postural stability of older female Scottish country dancers

Explore the Biomechanics research group