About our Research
We investigate Neuromechanical aspects of movement across the lifespan. We use various approaches and tools (cellular level to whole human) to explore the underlying mechanisms of superior/impaired performance. My program can be split into 2 major approaches: 1) Human neuromuscular and 2) in vitro human & in vivo/in situ animal work. The tools and techniques we use for approach 1. include (but are not limited to): Surface/indwelling EMG, Dynamometry, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Electrical stimulation and Ultrasound imaging. For approach 2. we use: single permeabilized muscle fibres/bundles collected via needle or surgical biopsy, and, in situ and in vitro whole muscle preparations. We use gel electrophoresis to identify muscle fibre type (SDS-PAGE) and protein isoform size and content (SDS-VAGE). Through these approaches we can test various aspects of muscle mechanics – force, velocity, power, stiffness to gain insight into muscle cross-bridge kinetics.
Some photos of what we do
Research on Muscle Adaptations
Lately our lab has been interested in changes in muscle structure and function following training and across the lifespan. We have investigations on the addition of sarcomeres in series (i.e., elongation of muscle fascicles) in a muscle following training interventions such as eccentric training (including a novel model with rat weighted vests) and isometric training at a long muscle length, in both animals in humans, and how the addition of sarcomeres impacts muscle function. Additionally, we currently have multiple projects in collaboration with other labs investigating how muscle function changes during and following menopause, using a gradual ovarian failure model in mice. Our assessments of muscle mechanical function have included: residual force enhancement and residual force depression, power production, the force-length/torque-angle relationship, work loops, and force-frequency and force-pCa curves. We perform these investigations at the in-vivo level in humans using an isokinetic dynamometer and muscle ultrasound, at the in-vitro whole-muscle level in animals alongside laser diffraction to measure sarcomere lengths, and in single muscle fibres. In the big picture, we hope this research will help inform exercise prescription in sport and clinical settings.