Dr. Michael Asmussen (July 2023)
Dr. Michael Asmussen is a professor in the Faculty of Educaton and Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University. He leads the Foot-Ankle Stability (FASt) Lab. His Research is funded by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award and NSERC Discovery Grant (2021-2026).
Research Activities
His research program focusses on how the foot and ankle are essential for humans to walk and run. Although walking and running may seem like simple movements, the execution of these tasks is complex – and, for some, difficult – considering the coordination required across the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. When people experience a musculoskeletal or neural impairment that affects the foot and ankle or as part of the aging process, their ability to walk or run often becomes compromised. Dr. Asmussen’s research seeks to understand the structure, function, and neural control of the foot and ankle during locomotion in healthy, aging, injured, and diseased states. Understanding the foot and ankle’s role in locomotion is complicated by the fact that these structures are incredibly complex (e.g., 26 bones, 33 joints, 100+ ligaments, muscles, tendons)! To address this complexity, Dr. Asmussen uses a combination of biomechanical tools, physiological measures, computational modelling, and simulation techniques to answer his research questions. The end goal of this research program is to translate research outcomes into innovative healthcare solutions aimed at assessing and improving stabilization of the foot and ankle and hence, a person’s ability to safely walk and run throughout their lifecycle.
Contact information
Email: michael.asmussen@viu.ca