"The movement science lab is the hub of my research"

Ulrik Röijezon is professor in physiotherapy and health promotion.

Can you tell us about your research?

"I am highly interested in human motor control and learning (or re-learning) motor skills. I am particularly intrigued by our most vital sensory system for motor control and learning, i.e., proprioception (our conscious and unconscious awareness of our body’s position, movements and forces acting on it) and how this can be affected in various health conditions. My main research area is the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain conditions. I investigate disturbances in proprioception and motor control related to pain conditions, and the effects of specific exercise interventions. I also study how unfavorable movement patterns and postures can contribute to the development, recurrence or persistence of musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal pain conditions represent a major societal issue and is one of the leading causes of long-term disability and sick leave in Sweden and globally.

Another significant societal issue I address in the movement science lab is balance, falls and fear of falling among older adults. Together with Control Engineering (Robotics and AI) at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), we conducted the BAHRT project (Balancing Humans and Robots), funded by the Swedish Research Council. In that study, we investigated balance control and the sensory and motor functions affected by ageing, with participants aged 70 and above. This line of research has since developed further in collaboration with Psychology at LTU, where we now also examine cognitive function and its relation to balance in older adults.

I am also interested in exceptionally good motor control, such as that seen in musicians and athletes. These groups are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, often due to repetitive strain injuries that develop over time. Ongoing projects include studies on professional orchestral musicians in Sweden regarding musculoskeletal pain and psychosocial factors. Projects are also ongoing with Stefan Östersjö and colleagues at School of Music, LTU, and international collaborations. In sport, I am particularly interested in fly casting, a discipline in which I have competed at the highest international level and have also conducted research in collaboration with the Swedish Casting Federation. Other sports I investigate include track & field athletics, where we are collaborating with the Swedish Athletics Federation; and cross-country skiing where we collaborate with SportC at LTU and national elite athletes.

Whether I’m studying musculoskeletal pain, balance in older adults, or elite performers such as musicians and athletes, the movement science lab is the hub of my research. Depending on the research questions, measurements and experiments may be conducted in the lab at LTU, out in the field with portable equipment, in clinical settings, or now even in participants’ homes."

What made you choose this particular research field?

"Already from the beginning of my physiotherapy training in the 1990s, I had a special interest in musculoskeletal pain, particularly back and neck pain, which seemed to affect more or less everyone at some point. My clinical work was varied, but the majority of the patients I saw had some form of musculoskeletal disorder. When I got the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies focused on neck disorders, it was a perfect match with both my clinical experience and my special interest. The neck is particularly fascinating due to its neurophysiological connections between cervical proprioception, muscle function, eye motor control, and the vestibular system (the inner ear balance organs). We are now in an especially exciting era of new technologies. I believe VR, and other technologies, will greatly influence future rehabilitation by enabling more specific assessments, diagnostics and more effective individualised training interventions."

What are the advantages of conducting research here?

"The greatest advantage for me has been the opportunity to build and develop our movement science lab ‘Human Health and Performance Lab – Movement Science’. This enables both depth and breadth in our research, which is highly stimulating. My own research spans from basic mechanistic studies in the lab to applied research evaluating clinical treatment methods, for example at the rheumatology clinic at Sunderby Hospital, and various private physiotherapy clinics around Sweden. We also have a strong physiotherapy program that receives consistently good feedback from students and clinical supervisors. Several of the theses I’ve supervised at both undergraduate and postgraduate level have also been published in scientific journals.

Other key advantages include the proximity to other departments and the fact that LTU is a technical university. While LTU has both technical and philosophical faculties, the technical disciplines dominate, with a strong history in mining, computer science, space research, and more. This environment has been crucial for my interdisciplinary collaborations in both research, innovation and teaching. I collaborate with a wide range of subjects, including Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Musical Performance, Robotics and AI, and Machine Learning."

Would you recommend LTU to other researchers, and if so, why?

"Researchers who want to work in a creative environment with close proximity to other disciplines and institutions, and where interdisciplinary research is encouraged, should definitely consider LTU. LTU’s close partnerships with the Kempe Foundations and the Kamprad Foundations such as Norrlandsnavet provide excellent opportunities for funding both research infrastructure and projects that benefit northern Sweden. There are also good opportunities for funding Nordic collaborations within the EU and through regional grants, especially concerning challenges specific to people, health, and industry in rural and Arctic areas. For me, the most important factor is the closeness between subjects and departments, where new projects, collaborations, and problem-solving can emerge from a coffee break, seminar, email, or phone call. Although LTU’s primary focus is on the needs and challenges of northern Sweden, there is almost always a global perspective in the projects, and both national and international collaborations are actively encouraged."