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By Alex Branch

Researchers, clinicians and students from around the world convened at the UNT Health Science Center to learn about sensorimotor function in children and receive hands-on training in the university’s Human Movement Performance Laboratory.

The Health Science Center hosted the training school for the International Society for Posture and Gait Research, which has more than 500 members in 20 countries.

Training school attendees spent four days examining and addressing sensorimotor function during normal childhood development, as well in children with developmental coordination disorders, autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy.

“The speakers were experts in their field, and it was an opportunity for our faculty to make connections that could lead to collaborative projects in the future,” said Nicoleta Bugnariu, PT, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Interim Dean in the School of Health Professions. “It was also great visibility for the innovative work we are already doing in our Human Movement Performance Lab and an opportunity to attract future PhD students and postdocs.”

Health Science Center researchers use the laboratory’s state-of-the-art technology to study functional differences in movement, develop new rehabilitation processes and, ultimately, help people of all ages live more active, independent lives. The training school included morning presentations and afternoon laboratory workshops that featured motion analysis, eye tracking and virtual reality.

Attendee Gregory Youdan, a student pursuing a master’s degree in the motor learning and motor control program at Columbia University in New York City, said the training school’s specialized focus offered experiences not often available at larger conferences.

“Personally, I was very drawn to attend based on the blend of lecture, lab components and clinical applications,” he said. “This mixture is what made this conference unique, and it worked extremely well.”

The Health Science Center received funding to host the training school through a grant from the International Society for Posture and Gait Research.

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