Neuromuscular Healthy Exercise and Aging Lab (HEAL)

The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia
What the facility does

The lab studies sex-related differences in aging and impact of these on work and life functional ability 

Areas of expertise

The ability to remain mobile is essential for maintaining functional independence and for the preservation of quality of life. Functional independence through movement is governed by the coordinated interaction of the nervous and muscular systems (neuromuscular). This facility has the capacity to assess and quantify the underlying neuromuscular as well as musculoskeletal aspects that generate movement. These measures can be undertaken in the lab as well as the field to evaluate work and home-life function through wearable technologies. Interventions, such as exercise training and job place adaptations can also be assessed. Throughout studies, sex-specific differences are considered to elucidate and enable identification of how age influences males and females independently. These studies can inform the creation of interventions and work or home adaptations to enhance functional abilities.

Research services

Electromyographic signals (EMG), ultrasonography, indwelling EMG, motor unit activity, power, strength, steadiness, functional ability, workplace effort and activity, wearables

Sectors of application
  • Automotive
  • Defence and security industries
  • Education
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment

Specialized lab

Equipment

Function

Ultrasonography

GE Ultrasound

Specialized unit for recording musculoskeletal images

Motor Units

Digitimer NeuroLog System

High fidelity recordings of motor units in humans

Force and Power

Biodex Multi-Joint System

Force and power measures across upper and lower limb muscles

 

Biometrics Portable EMG

For measurements outside laboratory during functional movements

Title

URL

Stretching the Limits of Muscle Growth: A New Route to Hypertrophy (Carey Simpson, Health and Exercise Science, UBC-Okanagan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrJGAqzVbuI

Using Exercise to Fight Frailty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2dgRWU9kL0

Stretching benefits men more than women: study

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/stretching-benefits-men-more-than-women-study-1.1227170