Movement Sciences

Contact: pesser@brookes.ac.uk +44 (0)1865 483833

About us

The Movement Sciences research theme focuses on the development and implementation of new methodologies to measure, map and improve the mobility and physical activity of people of all ages with and without clinical conditions.

This research theme is a multidisciplinary group of researchers covering biomedical and mathematical engineers, data scientists, data analysts, various allied health professionals and end-users. We work with and alongside other research themes, centres and external partners, both academic and commercial.

Together we have been involved in the successful development, validation and implementation of novel clinical outcome measurements such as:

Gait analysis based on single inertial measurement units to monitor gait abnormalities with potential diagnostic power
Physical Activity measurements and data analysis suitable for adolescents, adults and those with clinical conditions
Rhythmic stepping outcomes for the identification of motor problems in children

Researcher placing gate sensor on lower back

Part of

Related courses

Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) (MSc)
Physiotherapy (BSc (Hons))
Sport and Exercise Science (BSc (Hons))
Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (BSc (Hons))

Research impact

MRI scanner ready for in-scanner motion task for children with developmental coordination disorders

Over the past few years, we have developed a smartphone-based device which, given its ultra sensitivity, can potentially aid in the diagnosis of a range of conditions before the manifestations of obvious clinical symptoms. This unique approach is quick, accessible and could have substantial impact on international healthcare systems.

The vast range of exciting projects links us with clinical and academic experts from world renowned institutions in the UK, such as the University of Oxford and University College London, as well as internationally, such as McGill University (Canada) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China).

Leadership

Dr Patrick Esser

Reader in Sport and Rehabilitation Technology

View profile

Key Publications

2024

B.D. Weedon, P. Esser, J. Collett, H. Izadi, M. Inacio, S. Joshi, A. Meaney, A. Delextrat, S. Kemp, H. Dawes. “The effects of cognitive-motor interference on walking performance in adolescents with low balance.” Gait & posture 114(202-207), 2024
H.T Fung Lo, L. Malmberg, C.H.H.M. Heemskerk, P. Esser, H. Dawes, C.M. Roebers. “Affect and executive function dynamics in primary school classrooms: an intensive longitudinal study.” Cognition and Emotion 2024 (1-13)
L. Huang, Z. Xia, D. Wade, J. Liu, G. Zhou, C. Yu, H. Dawes, P. Esser, S. Wei, J. Song. “Knee osteoarthritis pendulum therapy: In vivo evaluation and a randomised, single-blind feasibility clinical trial.” Journal of Orthopaedic Translation 45(266-276)

2023

R. Baskerville, N. Krijgsveld, P. Esser, G. Jeffery, J. Poulton. “The Effect of Photobiomodulation on the Treatment of Hereditary Mitochondrial Diseases” Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences (2023)14, e41-e41
M. Inacio, P. Esser, B.D. Weedon, S. Joshi, A. Meaney, A. Delextrat, D. Springett, S. Kemp, T. Ward, H. Izadi, H. Johansen-Berg, H. Dawes. ”Learning a novel rhythmic stepping task in children with probable developmental coordination disorder” Clinical Biomechanics 102, 105904
E. Al-Yahya, P. Esser, B.D. Weedon, S. Joshi, Y. Liu, D.N. Springett, P. Salvan, A. Meaney, J. Collett, M. Inacio, A. Delextrat, S. Kemp, T. Ward, H. Izadi, H. Johansen-Berg, H. Ayaz, H.Dawes. “Motor learning in developmental coordination disorder: behavioral and neuroimaging study” Frontiers in neuroscience 2023 (17), Frontiers in neuroscience 17, 1187790

2022

Joshi, S., B. D. Weedon, P. Esser, Y. C. Liu, D. N. Springett, A. Meaney, M. Inacio, A. Delextrat, S. Kemp, T. Ward, H. Izadi, H. Dawes and H. Ayaz (2022). "Neuroergonomic assessment of developmental coordination disorder." Sci Rep 12(1): 10239.

2021

Beale, N., E. Eldridge, A. Delextrat, P. Esser, O. Bushnell, E. Curtis, T. Wassenaar, C. Wheatley, H. Johansen-Berg and H. Dawes (2021). "Exploring activity levels in physical education lessons in the UK: a cross-sectional examination of activity types and fitness levels." BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 7(1): e000924.