Design and evaluation service for the implementation of activities to promote health, improve athletic performance and prevent injuries

A particularly important element in promoting wellbeing and health, maximising sporting performance and preventing injuries is the implementation of various interventions and technological solutions in everyday life or in sporting exercise regimes. Careful design and thorough evaluation of the different solutions before implementation is crucial for the best effects. Our research and development expertise, offered by researchers at the University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences in the fields of sports science, sports medicine and health care, allows us to offer technological solutions that target the above-mentioned aspects, or to test the effects of existing solutions (interventions or technology).

Presentation of the invention

The laboratory of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Primorska is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software technology, which enables the users of the service to perform a wide range of different measurements that provide the user with an assessment of health status, fitness and guidance on the implementation of activities to promote health and increase athletic performance and prevent injuries. One aspect of the assessment focuses on objective results, including biomechanics of movement and physiological responses. Several standard devices are used for this purpose (3D motion tracking system, several isometric and isokinetic dynamometers, photocellular timing system, electromyography, near infrared spectroscopy, cardio pulmonary stress testing system, etc.).

To date, we have developed and tested exercise programmes for the prevention of thigh injuries in athletes, a protocol for the treatment of anterior knee pain and several approaches for the prevention and treatment of low back pain. We have contributed to the development and testing of the spinal exoskeleton in end-users and tested several therapeutic approaches such as the magnetic stimulation device and cayenne pepper cataplasms.

Advantages

• Using state-of-the-art research approaches and procedures that provide a science-based quality service to the end user, we bring up-to-date information on health, fitness, injury status.
• We develop tailored exercise programmes, injury prevention and pain management approaches,
• We provide useful advice and guidance to the user to improve health, fitness or injury avoidance.