Gait Laboratory

The Gait Laboratory is a state-of-the-art research facility within La Trobe's Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre. It is used to understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system, and causes, prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and disease. The Gait Laboratory incorporates a Vicon 3D motion analysis system, GAITRite walkway, Neurocom Balance Master, Humac Dynamometer, 3D foot scanner and plantar pressure analysis equipment (Matscan, Pedar and Emed).

Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC)

Ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) is the next step in tendon imaging as it allows for a 3-dimensional tendon imaging and quantification of tendon structure. UTC has been able to quantify subtle changes in response to exercise, as well as monitor improvements in tendon structure following rehabilitation. Within the La Trobe SEM research centre, UTC will be used to improve our management of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy and help development injury prevention strategies.

Neuroplasticity Research Laboratory (NRL)

The NRL specialises in the technique of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) which is a non-invasive method of measuring the functional properties (neuroplasticity) of the human brain in particular the primary motor cortex. The overall goal of this laboratory is to understand how the healthy nervous system functions to control movements following a variety of interventions, in particular strength training and motor skill learning, and how it may be rehabilitated following neuromuscular injury or disease.