The Laboratory of Locomotor Apparatus Bioengineering (LABLAB) pursues the primary
objective of contributing to the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge regarding
the functions of the human locomotor apparatus, and its application to relevant
arts, skills, and professions. The intent is to contribute to preserve and
improve the quality of human life by maximizing motor performance and personal
safety and comfort, by recovering from or preventing any type of functional or
participative limitation, and by nourishing creativity from a cultural and
educational perspective.
LABLAB research activity is based on
rigorous and advanced quantitative observation of the mechanics of the
musculo-skeletal apparatus, also in presence of special garments, prostheses,
orthoses, or other devices, during the execution of motor acts that are typical
of daily life activities, work settings, sport and physical activity. Such
activity is carried out by employing Bioengineering and Biomechanics conceptual
and operative tools that are in current use or that are devised ad hoc within the Laboratory.
LABLAB core objectives include: performance
assessment; the identification of the
causes of impairments of the body structures and the minimization of their
occurrence and consequences; the functional evaluation at organ level and the
evaluation of the functional and participatory limitation at person level. These
objectives are pursued taking into account different populations as defined in
terms of gender, age, initial motor abilities, health status and risk factors.
LABLAB, in addition, carries
out professional activity and proposes itself as a promoter for spin off
endeavours.