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Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN)
Noise or structured patterns: which best explains motor variability in sports?
Thesis abroad
keywords HIGH-DENSITY SURFACE EMG, MOTION ANALYSIS, SPORT
Reference persons TAIAN MARTINS
External reference persons Prof Emma Hodson-Tole
Research Groups Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN)
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL
Description By contracting our muscles we are able to move and to interact with our surroundings, from gentle walking to vigorous jumping. Often, the movement resulting from muscle contraction diverges from that we expect, leading to frustration or providing an alternative means of achieving our goal. The first view, well acknowledged by common experience, implies this motor variability is noisy driven. The later view opens for a structured, non-random component governing the neuromuscular control. Both views may well coexist, even though only recently have advanced processing techniques revealed a structured, temporal pattern in the signal commanding muscle contraction: the surface electromyogram.
During this thesis, the student will explore whether signal structures in time and space concur to explain variability in sports. Space is conceived here in terms of different regions within and between muscles. The results obtained in this thesis are expected to further our knowledge in performance and motor learning.
The activities proposed in this thesis will be conducted in collaboration with Prof Emma Hodson-Tole, from the Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Required skills Good understanding of neuromuscular physiology
Linear algebra
Advanced Matlab skills
High English proficiency
Notes Students willing to undertake this proposal are requested to write to the supervisor stating:
1- the interest to pursue this proposal
2- elements motivating the decision to consider pursuing this thesis (5-10 lines of text)
Deadline 19/01/2025
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA