First CAREN system launching in the UK.

The Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (Liverpool John Moores University) has received the highest rating (5*) in the last Research Assessment Exercise of the United Kingdom. The Institute has now received funding to establish a dedicated Movement Function Research Laboratory.

The mission of this state-of-the-art laboratory is to assess movement function, dysfunction, and rehabilitation with a focus on movement re-training. The multidisciplinary team has an exceptional mix of expertise covering bio mechanics, gait analysis, musculoskeletal injuries, and motor control.

The equipment includes a software driven moving platform together with a virtual reality video screen supplied by MOTEK, and a complete clinical motion analysis system supplied by VICON (http://www.vicon.com) with video, force platforms, analogue inputs, and EMG. The unique combination of equipment allows a precise control and assessment of dynamic stability.

The aim of this message is to inform potential partners with a view to identify collaborative research to images leading to joint grant applications. The envisaged target areas are orthopedics (foot disorders, orthotics/prosthetics, physiotherapy), gait disorders (tripping/falling, development), neurological conditions (Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, stroke).