Muscle and exercise physiology research

Maintained integrity of the usculoskeletal system is essential from a medical/physiological point of view and also from psychological and socio-economical point of views. The musculoskeletal system is subject to many kinds of diseases, njuries, overuse syndromes as well as deterioration of function during aging. In Sweden, overuse injuries in the musculoskeletal system represent 70% of all work-related injuries and therefore represent the dominant work-related problem. The consequences in term of sick-leave and decreased productivity costs several billions. Regarding deterioration of the musculoskeletal function during aging, the complete or partial loss of independent lifestyle is a serious problem in countries where the group of population above 80 years increased dramatically. By the year 2015, there will be 33% more people aged 80 and above than in 2004 in the present EU (WHO). A major challenge for a healthier aging is to maintain a normal musculoskeletal function. Additionally, many diseases not directly affecting the musculoskeletal system significantly alter the physical activity level of patients making them extremely sedentary and results in the loss of fitness and severe weakness of the musculoskeletal function. This will further exacerbates the condition of the patients. Altogether, the costs for sick-leave, treatment, rehabilitation and care related to alterations in the musculoskeletal tissue represent important financial burden to society. Moreover, disability of the locomotive function has very important psychological and sociological consequences.

With respect to different therapy strategies aiming the maintenance, the most popular non pharmacological therapy is physical exercise therapy. Current international consensus is that rehabilitation training is an important component of the treatment of alteration in the musculoskeletal system. This is in concert with the acknowledgement that pharmacotherapy is not always adequate. The evidence for a beneficial effect of physical training in patients with musculoskeletal problems is good. It is believed that physical training has direct effects on the pathogenesis of several diseases. The evidence suggests that in selected cases, exercise therapy is just as effective as medical treatment and in special situations can be more effective. However, in order to provide adequate pharmacotherapy as well as physical exercise therapy to maintain normal function, to treat and to improve the musculoskeletal system, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the maintenance of tissue integrity as well as tissue healing and regenerative potential is essential. Basic knowledge on cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating normal musculoskeletal function is required in order to understand pathological alterations. This will in turn improve the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and also help in designing adequate physical exercise therapy.

Our objective is (1) to provide a stimulating research environment to all active researchers within this field and (2) to allow a multidisciplinary approach: clinical, basic and applied.

Our research projects are conducted within an international network comprising European and Nordic countries.

o Joining researchers in the field of musculoskeletal research and physical activity allowing integration of clinical, basic and applied research

o Bringing together researchers that have access to biomaterial from healthy men and women and the expertise to assess the musculoskeletal function in health, in response to physical activity, during aging and in response to several pathological conditions

o Integrative assessment of the musculoskeletal system taking into account clinical examination, functional tests, cellular and morphological tissue analysis, gene expression and cell signalling.

o Combination of different research techniques at the forefront of modern science to understand the normal function of the musculoskeletal system

o Availability at ÖU of multiple research tools and infrastructure for the assessment of the musculoskeletal function (clinical testing tools, tools for physiological assessment, histology/immunohistochemistry/western blotting for analysis of cell structures and protein expression, southern blotting for assessment of gene expression). Altogether, the availability of