The Human Performance Centre (Technology) (HPC (Tech)) at London South Bank University (LSBU) specialises in testing and developing products initiated at the world-leading LSBU Faculty of Engineering, Science and Built Environment (ESBE) and products developed by external enterprises.
A problem solving, commercially focused approach is taken to testing new technologies and providing performance feedback to the product owners. Additionally developing high-efficacy solutions to technological problems and programme development to support new technology applications (through PerformWell and LiveWell programmes) are all within the remit of the HPC(Tech).
Staffed by biological scientists and supported by our engineering faculty the solutions are developed with the user as the primary concern. This also means that the range of HPC(Tech)'s capacities are virtually unlimited covering areas from nutrition, in collaboration with the London Food Centre, to neuromuscular performance and health in collaboration with Allied Health Professionals.
HPC(Tech)'s activities also promote new and novel research as technology is often one of the main drivers of scientific understanding. The staff of the HPC are all committed to providing a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us and improving our performance within our daily lives. This can be seen by the long and impressive list of publications and international conference presentations by all staff members.
HPC(Tech) were approached by BrandHandling Ltd, to test the efficacy of a sandal that promotes training effects in the legs through common everyday use.
Biomechanists Dr Dave Cook and Darren James took this initial concept and created a new sandal based on micro-wobbleboard™ technology which increases activation of muscles in the legs more than wearing regular footwear.
The product has been incredibly successful and has been featured on Oprah Winfrey and TV News in the US. New product developments are underway!
Vibration as a stimulus has been used routinely in our research laboratories and has been developed into the concept of targeted muscle vibration training.
This first application of this principle is youbreathe, a targeted vibration-training device for the respiratory system, which has been shown to increase gas exchange, reduce breathlessness and increase performance of the human respiratory system.
Users such as elite sports people through to asthmatics have reported great benefit of regular youbreathe use. The youbreathe featured on the BBC's 'Something for the Weekend'.
For more information contact:
Lex Rees
Sales and Marketing Manager
Human Performance Centre
Tel: 020 7815 7802
Email: reesa2@lsbu.ac.uk
