The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research

Transforming how human movement is measured and understood

The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research is a pioneering research facility dedicated to closing the gap between laboratory based measurement techniques and the tools available in real world and clinical environments, including the NHS. By uniting world leading gait analysis expertise with internationally recognised strengths in real world monitoring, the centre is redefining how human movement is assessed, understood, and supported.

Our centre advances the UK’s research capability in human movement behaviour, enabling breakthroughs that directly inform personalised rehabilitation, clinical decision making, and long term health outcomes.

Lifestyle related conditions are increasing, and with them the need for effective, evidence based rehabilitation. The centre responds to this challenge by integrating the precision of laboratory science with the authenticity of real world data.

Our vision is to establish the UK’s leading hub for real world human movement research, driving innovation that translates seamlessly into NHS practice and community settings.

Located within a purpose‑built living lab

The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research is housed within our new Health Clinic, the “Thrive” building, a 5500m² facility designed as an inclusive, accessible environment that blends teaching, research, healthcare, and community support.

The clinic will function as a living laboratory, offering:

• A state‑of‑the‑art movement analysis lab
• Real‑world‑like environments for testing rehabilitation innovations
• Direct access to clinical populations on‑site
• A seamless route into community‑based monitoring and evaluation

This unique combination enables a holistic understanding of human movement, capturing what happens both inside the lab and in everyday life.

Cutting‑edge technology driving new discovery

The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research brings together advanced equipment across three synergistic domains: biomechanical, functional, and real‑world assessment.

Biomechanical Assessment

Our high‑precision laboratory includes:

• Bertec Instrumented Treadmill for detailed gait analysis
• Theia3D Markerless Motion Capture system
• Dell EMC PowerEdge R740xd Server for high‑performance data processing

Functional Assessment

To evaluate strength, balance, and functional capacity, we use:

• Biodex System 4 Pro for muscle and joint assessment
• HTC Vive Pro Eye VR system for immersive rehabilitation scenarios

Real‑World Assessment

Our wearable and sensor‑based technologies capture movement beyond the lab, including:

• APDM Opal Sensors for gait and balance monitoring
• SageMotion haptic‑enabled rehabilitation sensors
• Motikon pressure‑sensing insoles
• Xsensor insole systems
• Xsens full‑body wearable motion capture

Together, these systems allow us to track, analyse, and interpret movement with unprecedented depth and ecological validity.

Leading scientific research and global impact

The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research builds on decades of internationally recognised research in gait analysis, physical behaviour monitoring, and clinical rehabilitation.

Our centre has:

• Developed clinical gait models adopted worldwide
• Advanced measurement standards used in clinical gait laboratories
• Extensive expertise working with populations affected by stroke, osteoarthritis, amputation, and other mobility‑limiting conditions
• A legacy of innovation, including the thigh‑worn activity monitor used in hundreds of studies globally

Through the centre, we combine laboratory precision with real‑world insight to create more robust, clinically meaningful methods. This dual‑environment approach enables us to understand not only how people move in controlled settings, but how they use assistive devices such as prosthetics, walking aids, and wheelchairs in daily life.

This knowledge supports:

• More effective rehabilitation pathways
• Better‑informed clinical decisions
• Improved assistive device design
• Earlier identification of mobility challenges

We are also developing international satellite partnerships to extend our impact regionally, nationally, and globally.

Leading scientific research and global impact

The Wolfson Centre for Real World Human Movement Research is more than a research facility, it is a catalyst for change. By bringing together cutting‑edge technology, clinical expertise, and real‑world insight, we are creating a new standard for understanding human movement and delivering personalised rehabilitation solutions.