Man in a black shirt and woman in a white shirt point at something

Welcome to the Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport (BOS) Laboratory

Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport (BOS) Laboratory

The main objectives of McGill’s Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport (BOS) Laboratory is to:

  • Advance fundamental knowledge on mechanisms of muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries/disorders (MSDs) in sport and occupational settings
  • Develop applied knowledge to improve the effectiveness of training and rehabilitation interventions to reduce the burden of MSDs and increase sport performance.
  • Advance knowledge on determinants of performance and health for men and women of all ages, so as to contribute to more equitable, diverse and inclusive health and performance interventions.
  • Lead highly qualified research trainees into developing successful careers as health care professionals, ergonomists, exercise physiologists, and/or independent scientists.

The vision of BOS is that more knowledgeable and competent graduates will significantly contribute to better health and quality of life and improve human performance and wellbeing for all.

Current Projects

  • A pilot project: The effects of handedness on muscle activation during a repetitive overhead fatiguing task
  • Sex differences in peripheral and central fatigue during repeated all-out cycling after adjusting for total mechanical work
  • The effects of self-selecting the rest durations in a repeated sprinting protocol on physiological, psychological, and performance outcomes

Current Funding

  • 2022 – 2027: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery grant: ‘Modeling the mechanisms and the biomechanical manifestations of muscle fatigue: the good, the bad, and the in-between’.
  • 2018 – 2023: Canada Foundation for Innovation Equipment and Infrastructure grant: “Merged infrastructure to study the multidimensional aspects of muscle fatigue".

 

Please inquire for any student funding opportunities directly to julie.cote2 [at] mcgill.ca (Dr. Julie Côté).

Lab Director

Dr. Julie Côté

smiling lady in a white shirt and blazerProfessor, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education

Phone: (514) 398-4184 x 0539

julie.cote2 [at] mcgill.ca (E-mail)

Current Members

Erika Renda, PhD Candidate


Hometown: lady in a black dress
Montreal, Quebec

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc Biochemistry, Concordia University
MScA(OT) Occupational Therapy, McGill University
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience, McGill University

Current Degree:
PhD in Kinesiology Sciences

Awards/Fellowships:
2022: Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network Trainee Travel Award
2021-2024: Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail PhD Scholarship
2021: Post-Graduate Student Society (PGSS) Travel Award
2021: Education Graduate Students' Society (EGSS) Professional and Research Development Award
2019: McGill University Graduate Excellence Award

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex/Gender differences in fatigability and muscle activation during repetitive shoulder movements at different frequencies. A cohort study of work-related shoulder injuries

About Me:
Due to my experience in occupational therapy I have a research interest in the effect of musculoskeletal disorders on one's ability to perform occupational tasks as well as which ergonomic postures and positions are best for individuals when performing these tasks. When I’m not doing schoolwork or working (as an occupational therapist), I spend my time exercising.

Sample publication:
Renda E, Amirali Karmali S, Yordanova I, Schwartz S, Mahdid Y, Ghosh A, … Boudrias, MH (2019). Current Stimulation on an Individual’s Ability to Learn to Control a Brain-Computer Interface. McGill Journal of Medicine.

Matt Slopecki, PhD Candidate


Hometown:man with a trimmed beard
Brentwood, England

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Brunel University London, England

Current Degree:
PhD in Kinesiology Sciences

Awards/Fellowships:
2022 – 2026: Fonds de Recherche Québec (Santé) – Doctoral Training Scholarship
2022 – 2025: Mitacs Accelerate Doctoral Fellowship
2021: International Society of Biomechanics Motor Control
2021: Technical Group – Student Award for Best Oral Presentation
2021: International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) – International Travel Grant
2021: Mitacs – Globalink Award Abroad
2020: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Team for Gender Considerations in Knowledge Transfer Interventions – pour le partage des connaissances scholarship

Tentative Thesis Title:
The role of anthropometry in fatiguing, repetitive upper-limb movements

About Me:
I am a passionate researcher who is focused on developing clear applications of my work. This is reflected in my concurrent work as a Ph.D. Candidate at McGill University and as a Research Assistant at Institut national du sport du Quebec, where I aim to develop athlete monitoring tools to benefit coaching strategies in elite sport.

Sample publication:
Slopecki, M., Messing, K., & Côté, J. N. (2020). Is sex a proxy for mechanical variables during an upper limb repetitive movement task? An investigation of the effects of sex and of anthropometric load on muscle fatigue. Biol Sex Differ, 11(1).

All publications available at: https://manylink.co/@matthewslopecki

Yiyang Chen, PhD Candidate


Hometown:Smiling picture of a lady in a winter jacket
Nanjing, China

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc Sports Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, China
MSc Sports Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, China
Visiting Schola, University of Ottawa, Canada

Current Degree: 
PhD in Kinesiology Sciences

Awards/Fellowships:
2022: Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network Trainee Travel Award
2020-2024: China Scholarship Council (CSC) & McGill University Joint Scholarship

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex- and fatigue-specific biomechanical analyses and pattern identification in running

About Me:
My research interest is focused on sex-specific neuromuscular control during repetitive movements in sports. My interest in sports rose out of the intersection of academic research training and personal experiences with sports. I used to do Taekwondo as a teen athlete prior to high school. Now, I enjoy playing different kinds of sports after work. Besides that, I love traveling and watching any science fiction films

Sample publication:
Chen, Y., Li, J. X., & Wang, L. (2020). Influences of heel height on human postural stability and functional mobility between inexperienced and experienced high heel shoe wearers. PeerJ, 8, e10239

All publications available at: ResearchGate

Cinthuja Pathmanathan, PhD Student


Hometown:smiling lady wearing a red and light-yellow dress
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Previous Degrees Earned:
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
MRes- Sports Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, University of Dundee, UK

Current Degree
PhD in Kinesiology Sciences

Awards/Fellowships:
2022-2025: SASSI Doctoral Research Award, McGill University, Canada
2022-2025: Graduate Excellence Award, McGill University, Canada
2018-2019: Commonwealth scholar-UK 2018 Under Commonwealth Scholarship for Master and Fellowship
2017: National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka training scholarships grant recipient
2018: Overseas travel grant and registration fee grant recipient, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
2009-2014: Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Tentative Thesis Title:
Effect of muscle fatigue on running-related musculoskeletal injuries among male and female runners

About Me:
As a physiotherapist, I am more interested in advancing my career in research focusing on musculoskeletal injuries, movement analysis and biomechanics. I like travelling.

All publications available at: ResearchGate

Davine Yang, MSc Student


Hometown: Smiling lady in a red and white jersey
Ajax, Ontario

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc (Hons) Kinesiology, McGill University

Current Degree:
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience

Awards/Fellowships:
2021-2023: McGill Sports Science Research Masters Fellowship

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex-specific effects of fatigue on knee joint kinematics and muscle activation during a single-leg lateral jump landing task

About Me:
I’m currently in the second year of my master’s degree in sports science biomechanics of varsity athletes. I hope to continue in sports science or rehab in the future. When I’m not doing research I’m playing rugby, and I also love to read, watch TV, and go on outdoor adventures!

Sample publication:
Yang, D., Iqbal, S., Rafatzand, K., & Scheede-Bergdahl, C. (2022). Psoas muscle measurement as a marker of sarcopenia predicts risk of Grade 4 or 5 baseline chronic kidney disease and its progression. JCSM Rapid Communications, 5(2), 182-193. https://doi.org/10.1002/rco2.63

All publications available at: ResearchGate

Luke Spagnuolo, MSc Student


Hometown:man in a white shirt with black spots and a blazer
Stouffville, Ontaro

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc Kinesiology (Minor: History), McGill University

Current Degree:
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience

Awards/Fellowships:
2021:
McGill University Graduate Excellence Award

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex differences in muscle fatigue among collegiate level rowers during a 2000m race simulation

About Me:
I’m a 22 year old from Stouffville, ON. I love sports and history and my favourite Sports teams are the New York Rangers, Liverpool FC, and the LA Chargers. I am very interested in the implications of rowing on human biomechanics and want to further investigate this through my research!

Sample publication:
Yoon S, Lefrançois-Daignault T, Côté JN (2019). Effects of cycling while typing on upper limb and performance characteristics. Appl Ergon 80: 161-167.

Malak Selim, MSc Student


Hometown:lady in a black dress
Sackville, New Brunswick

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc (Hons) Kinesiology, McGill University

Current Degree:
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience

Awards/Fellowships:
2022 - 2023:  Canadian Graduate Scholarship-Master's, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ·
2021 - 2022: Grad Excellence Award
2020 - 2021: Montreal/Quebec Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Prize
2020 - 2021: Walter & Mary Marsh Scholarship

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex-differences in Muscle Activity, Kinematics, Discomfort, and Performance when Under-Desk Cycling in Comparison to the Traditional Seated Workstation

About Me:
I'm a first-year master’s student interested in occupational health and research. I hope to continue into the field or either research or healthcare! Currently, my hobbies are article writing, reading, tending to my indoor garden, biking and knitting!

Kerrigan Sunday, MSc Student


Hometown:smiling lady wearing a blue and white striped shirt
Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Previous Degrees Earned:
BSc Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina

Current Degree
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience

Awards/Fellowships:
2022-2023: McGill International Research Master’s Award

Tentative Thesis Title:
Sex differences in cyclists during fatigue

About Me:
My involvement with multiple sports growing up (cross country, cycling, dance) led to my research interests in sports biomechanics. I am interested in understanding more about the biomechanics of cycling and what differences exist between males and females in the sport. In my free time, I enjoy going on bike rides and runs throughout Montreal as well as creating digital art.

Carson Graham, MSc Student


Hometown:smiling lady posing with her graduate dress
Brooklin, Ontario

Previous Degrees Earned:
Ba (Hons) Kinesiology, Western University

Current Degree
MSc Biomechanics and Neuroscience

Awards/Fellowships:
2018: Western Scholarship of distinction
2019-2022: Western Deans Honor list
2022: McGill Graduate Excellence Award

Tentative Thesis Title:
TBD

About Me:
Through my time in my undergrad, I developed a strong interest in exercise physiology and biomechanics specifically in sport and MSK disorders contexts. I aim to further explore these interests in my MSc. Looking at sex-specific differences in muscle morphology and fatigue. In my free time I love to read, ski, and travel whenever I get the chance!

Alumni

Post Doc

Samuel Leitkam; Mechanical modeling of human manual tasks. Co-supervisor: Philippe Archambault (McGill P&OT); 2017 – 2019.

Jason Bouffard; Effet de l’expertise et du sexe sur les techniques de travail et la résistance à la fatigue lors de tâches impliquant des mouvements répétitifs à faibles charges au membre supérieur. Co-supervisor: Mickael Begon, Université de Montréal; 2016 – 2018; Current position: Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Universite Laval.

Kathryn Sinden; Gender-specific biometrics associated with work-related MSD; 2015 – 2016; Current position: Assistant Professor (tenure-track), Lakehead University.

Suzy Ngomo; Effects of repetitive upper limb work on muscle co-contraction and predictors of pain; 2012-13; Current position: Assistant Professor (tenure track), U. Québec à Chicoutimi.

Brenda Santos; validity and reliability of EMG in measuring force and fatigue; 2008 – 2009; Current position: researcher, United States’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
 

PhD

Chen Yang: Biomechanical analysis of sex-specific adaptations to muscle fatigue in repetitive upper limb tasks; 2016-2021. Current position: Postdoctoral Scholar at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Northwestern University).

Christopher Bailey: The effect of old age on muscle activation variability: Exploring gait, upper limb fatigue, and potential muscular mechanisms; 2016-2020. Current position: Postdoctoral Scholar at The University of Ottawa.

Hiram Cantu: Designing a clinical tool to assess upper limb freezing mechanisms in people with Parkinson’s disease; 2012 – now; Current position: Academic Program Director, Biomedical Engineering, University of Monterrey, Mexico.

Amir Vafadar (co-direction with Philippe Archambault, McGill P&OT), PhD Rehabilitation Sciences, Validation of a shoulder position sense measurement instrument for clinical use; 2009 – 2015; Current position: Physiotherapist, Clinic Director, Dena Sports Physio, Montreal.

David Antle: The use of participatory ergonomics and laboratory based methods to design and implement ergonomic solutions. 2008 – 2013; Current position : Medical Student, University of Alberta; Senior Research Consultant, EWI Works, Adjunct Professor, U. Alberta.

Jason Fuller (fast-tracked from Master’s): Effects of fatigue on the postural stabilization mechanisms used during repetitive reaching; 2005 – 2011; Current position: Co- Founder, Statespace©.

Karen Lomond: Effects of fatigue and of neck-shoulder pain on posture-movement coordination during upper limb tasks; 2005 – 2010; Current position: Assistant Professor, Ithaca College, USA.

MSc

Samuel Lamanuzzi: Sex-specific effects of alternating computer work postures in young adults; 2020-2022. Current position: Research Assistant at McGill University

SangHoon Yoon: Sex-specific muscle activation and oxygenation kinetics during a repetitive forward pointing task; 2020-2021. Current position: Research Assistant at McGill University

Lily Dong: Sex differences in shoulder muscle activation and fatigue among elite water polo players; 2018-2020. Current position: PhD at Université du Québec à Montréal, Quality assurance analyst at Jintronix.

Geneviève Gill: Computer lenses and sex influence on shoulder-neck musculoskeletal mechanisms in university students identifying as laptop users; 2018-2020. Current position: Programming Assistant at Let’s Talk Science.

Savannah King: Effects of bimanual athletic expertise on adaptations to repetitive motion-induced fatigue; 2017 – 2019. Current position: Academic Project Coordinator, Assistant coach of the McGill Varsity swim team, McGill.

Michelle Caron: Effects of unilateral athletic expertise on adaptations to repetitive motion-induced fatigue; 2016 – 2019. Current position: Research Associate, INÉDI©

Maxana Weiss: Aging effects on the coordination response to fatigue in men. 2016 – 2018; Current position: Ph.D. student

Eric Sunghoon Minn: Effects of repetitive arm motion-induced fatigue physical, perceptual and performance characteristics associated with a fine manual task; 2015 – 2017; Current position: Ph.D. student.

Annamaria Otto: Gender differences in the fatigue effects on physical and experienced pain responses. 2015 – 2017; Current position: podiatry school student.

Zachary Weber: Effects of sensory supplementation on repetitive motion-induced fatigue; 2014 – 2016; Current position: physiotherapy student, McGill.

Amanda Farias: Muscular, vascular and postural characteristics of computer work using laptop vs extended monitor setup. 2014 – 2016; current position: Ph.D. student, McMaster.

Jonathan Pendenza: whole-body effects and gender differences in work-induced hypoalgesia; 2014 – 2015 (withdrew). Current position: physiotherapy student.

Michael Yehoyakim: Effects of fatigue on lifting coordination in females. 2013 – 2015.

Adrien Moufflet: Identification of objective measures of neck/shoulder fatigue during simulated auto work assembly work at shoulder height. 2013 – 2015; Current positions: osteopath, centre sportif UQAM; director of sport-study collegial program, Lac Saint-Louis.

Larissa Fedorowich: Effects of walking while typing on computer work-related performance and neck-shoulder characteristics. 2012 – 2014; Current position: research assistant, McGill Rehabilitation Sciences.

Hiram Cantu: Mechanisms of trunk movement compensations to repetitive motion- induced arm fatigue; 2010 – 2012; Consequent position: PhD student.

Bridget Gervasi: Effects of repetitive motion-induced fatigue on rhythm sense. 2010 – 2012; Current position: kinesiologist, manager, Nautilus.

Thorbjørn Johansen (co-direction with Pascal Madeleine, Aalborg University, Denmark); M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering; Gender effects on the coordination of subdivisions of the trapezius muscle during a repetitive box-folding task; 2009 – 2011; Current position: college teacher.

Ian Kutschke: Effects of Alexander technique training on neck-shoulder posture and movement. 2008 – 2010; Current position: teacher.

Evelyne Boulay: Test-retest properties of shoulder range of motion, force and power in healthy subjects. 2007 – 2009; Current position: occupational health/safety dep. director, Zodiac technologies© (USA).

Alison Reichert: Test-retest properties of objective maximal neck force measures in a population of healthy adults. 2007 – 2009; Current position: PhD student.

Petko Baltov; M.Sc. Rehabilitation Sciences (co-direction with Debbie Feldman, Université de Montréal); Psychosocial predictors of whiplash injury chronicity; 2006 – 2008; Current position: physiotherapist.

Kim Emery: Effects of Pilates training on arm-trunk posture and movement. 2006 – 2008; Current position: research assistant.

Isabelle Pearson; M. Sc. Rehabilitation Sciences (co-direction with Jean-Pierre Dumas, McGill P&OT); Cervical isometric strength measurements in whiplash- associated disorders: test-retest properties of the Multi-Cervical Unit and effects of pain and fear of movement. 2006 – 2008; Current position : physiotherapist, faculty lecturer.

Leslie-Ann Stewart: Influence of orthotic wear on gait coordination. 2004 – 2007. Current Position: occupational therapist, Best Doctors© Insurance company.

Marc Therrien; M.Sc. Kinesiology (co-direction with François Prince at Université de Montréal); Caractérisation de la posture assise chez les enfants sains et ceux atteints de déficit moteur cérébral; 2004 – 2007; Current position : clinical kinesiologist, Emovi©.

Isabelle Patenaude: The effects of whiplash-associated disorders on the kinematic and the electromyographic responses of individuals submitted to anterior surface translations in the sitting position. 2004 – 2006. Current position: physiotherapist, Clinique de physiothérapie Pierre-Boucher, Longueuil, QC.

Recent Publications

BOS lab publications available at: Google Scholar

Research Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure

Laval - Emphasizes research with vulnerable groups (older adults, patients with Parkinson’s Disease). The lab constitutes three offices and a 72.8 m2 lab equipped with the following:

  • Passive, high-resolution motion capture system (Vicon MX3 6-camera system)
  • Wireless telemetric 24-channel muscle activity recording system with passive surface electrodes (Noraxon)
  • Two six-degree-of-freedom force plates (AMTI)
  • Multi-directional neck force and amplitude measurement system (BTE Tech)
  • Multi-attachment occupational task force and amplitude measurement system (BTE Tech)
  • Lower limb dynamometric assessment system (KINCOM)
  • Electromagnetic motion analysis system (POLHEMUS)
  • Laser Doppler flowmeter (MOOR)
  • Thermotest system (SOMEDIC)
  • Algometer (SOMEDIC)
  • Telemetric movement and muscle activity data capture (Biometrix)
  • Kistler treadmill
  • Monark cycle ergometer
  • Monark arm ergometer


McGill - Emphasizes research into the mechanisms of muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders from diverse perspectives (e.g. ergonomics, motor control, physiology and sports). The 74 m2 space is equipped with the following:

 
  • Xsens 3D motion capture
  • EdgeTM Lactate Analyzer
  • Contrex dynamometer
  • ISS Near Infrared Spectroscopy
  • GE Ultrasound
  • MagStim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Digitimer muscle stimulator
  • Monark cycle ergometer
  • Monark arm ergometer
  • Delsys Surface and intramuscular electromyography
  • 9-camera Vicon Nexus motion capture
  • 2 AMTI force plates
  • Custom-build motion base platform
  • Sit-stand stool, standing and biking desks

News

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Call for study participants

A pilot project: The effects of handedness on muscle activation during a repetitive overhead fatiguing task

Who?
Young healthy individuals, aged 18-30

What?
Acute biomechanics research study (1 visit: 2.5 h)

Compensation?
None

Where?
Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport Laboratory
Currie Gym, Room 326

If interested, please contact erika.renda [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Erika Renda)

 

The effects of self-selecting the rest durations in a repeated sprinting protocol on physiological, psychological, and performance outcomes

Who?
Young healthy individuals, aged 18-35

What?
Acute biomechanics research study (1 visit: 2.0 h)

Compensation?
None

Where?
Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport Laboratory
Currie Gym, Room 326

If interested, please contact davine.yang [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Davine Yang)

 

Contact Us

Dr. Julie Côté

McGill University
Currie Gymnasium, room A218
475 Pine Avenue west
Montreal (QC) H2W 1S4
Tel.: (514) 398-4184 Ext.0539
Fax : (514) 398-4186

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Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital
3205 Alton-Goldbloom Place
Laval (QC) H7V 1R2
Tel.: (450) 688-9550 Ext. 4813
Fax : (450) 688-3116

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