Workshop

An optimal level of variability in our movements enable us to interact adaptively and safely to a continuously changing environment with unpredictable stimuli and stresses. A large body of research exists that demonstrate complex, nonlinear fluctuation characteristics in healthy gait (along with variability in other healthy biological signals e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate), and a loss of this variability in ageing and injury, as well as in a variety of neurodegenerative and physiological disorders.

Despite the expansion in literature, we seem quite far from widespread clinical use of nonlinear analysis characteristics (e.g., complexity, regularity, recurrences) in diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring. We submit that this field of research is now in pressing need of an innovative “next step” that goes beyond the many descriptive studies that characterize levels of variability in various patient populations. We need to develop clinically meaningful biomarkers that harnesses the existing knowledge on biological variability and create new possibilities for those in the grip of disease.

The Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics (LMB - ETH Zurich) together with the external page Center for Research in Human Movement Variability (MOVCENTR - UNO Omaha) is organizing a 4-day workshop, converging experts in the field for deeper discussions and future international level efforts and collaboration for development and validation of biomarkers arising from nonlinear analysis of movement variability. Specific objectives and outcomes of the workshop are to teach the foundation necessary to use nonlinear analysis tools to a new generation of student researchers and scientists and organize think tank sessions with field experts and develop (and publish) consensus recommendations on strength and challenges of each tool, identify future research, clinical directions.

Participants with varied backgrounds (research scientists, clinicians, educators, and students) are welcome since we include a strong practical component with class discussions and hands-on practice to facilitate understanding of the methods.  

A limited number of scholarships (supported by external page cereneo foundation) are available for international students. More details under Registration. 

The workshop is partially funded by external page SNF.