LOCOMOTION - Mechanics and Energetics of Terrestrial Locomotion
LocoLab - Human Locomotion Lab
Research group registered at the National Council of Research (CNPq/Brazil) and University of Pavia
Lines of investigation:
Mechanics and energetics of distance running
Mechanics and energetics of Nordic walking in aging, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis people
Mechanics and energetics of people with respiratory diseases
Biomechanics of jumps in volleyball and football
TEAM
CURRENT TEAM MEMBERS
Scientific coordination
Leonardo A. Peyré-Tartaruga (2008-) - He did the MSc (2001-2003) studying the biomechanical and physiological effects of deep water training in trained runners, and the PhD (2005-2008) studying the integrative minimizing mechanisms of energy cost in Nepalese porters walking and older people running guided by Prof. Jefferson Loss and in Italy specifically tutored by Prof. Alberto Minetti and Prof. Giovanni Cavagna. He created the LOCOMOTION group in 2008 and the LocoLab in 2023.
Flávia G. Martinez - She is a neuroscientist where in her PhD (2004-2007) studied the optic densitometry of immunoreactivity in intermediate filaments and astrocytic markers GFAP and VIM (GFAP-ir; VIM-ir) in the three subnuclei; anterodorsal (MeAD), posterodorsal (MePD) and posteroventral (MePV) of the medial amygdala, of male and female rats during postnatal development. She was guided by Prof. Matilde Achaval. She coordinates the LOCOMOTION group and the LocoComfa (Research Group in Motor Control and Aquatic Physiotherapy/UFRGS).
Luca Correale - He is a sport scientist and his PhD (2016-2019) in Psychology, Neuroscience and Medical Statistics, he evaluated the effects of combined endurance and resistance training on strength, fatigue and psychological responses in women with multiple sclerosis under tutoring of Prof. Cristina Montomoli. He coordinates the Human Locomotion Laboratory (LocoLab/UNIPV).
Postdoctoral researchers and technicians
Alex Fagundes Oliveira (2023-) - He did the MSc (2011-2013) with us, studying the energetic and biomechanical responses of carrying loads in runners (PPGCMH-UFRGS). Currently, he coordinates with me the Locomotion running group (extension project UFRGS). He is participating in our current research project on the effects of uphill sprint interval training on recreational runners.
Simone Melani (2023-) - He has a bachelor's in Sport Sciences and has been working as the technician of the Human Locomotion Laboratory (LocoLab/UNIPV).
Valéria Feijó Martins (2023-) - She joined the team in 2017 from UFRGS to work on gait biomechanics and functional outcomes in older people. The postdoctoral stage started in 2022 and she is currently studying the effects of dual tasks on stability and coordination. Funding: Fapergs Grant (2025-2027, Fixação de jovens doutores Fapergs). PI: me and Prof. Flávia G. Martinez.
Elren Passos Monteiro (2024-2025) - She joined the team in 2012, carrying out an MSc in Nordic walking in Parkinson's disease. She is currently validating the locomotor rehabilitation index in older people, and she has a tenured position at the Universidade Federal do Pará (Brazil). Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (one year). PI: me.
Fabricio Boscolo del Vecchio (2025) - He is testing the effects of different SIT protocols on mechanical efficiency and running economy. Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (three months). PI: me and Prof. Cosme F. Buzzachera.
PhD candidates
André Ivaniski-Mello (2021-) - He did the MSc (2019-2021) with us, studying the energetic and biomechanical responses of shallow water walking in different depths and speeds (PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). André's PhD is about the methods for determining mechanical work in the terrestrial locomotion (tutor: Prof. Flavio Castro, PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Funding: Capes-Brazil. PI: me.
Marcela Zimmermann Casal (2020-) - She joined the team in 2017 from UFRGS to work on the effects of different exercise modalities on gait, anticipatory postural adjustments and functionality in people with Parkinson's disease (tutor: Prof. Andrea Gonçalves, PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Funding: Capes-Brazil. PI: me.
Priscila Cardoso da Silva (2023-, cotutor) - She is studying the effects of aging on gait physiomechanics. Funding: CNPq-Brazil. PI: Prof. Andrea K. Gonçalves).
Poliana Piovezana dos Santos (2024-2025) - She is a PhD candidate in Human Movement Sciences at Santa Catarina State University (UDESC, Brazil, tutor: Prof. Rudney da Silva) doing a stage abroad with us at LocoLab/UNIPV. Here in Pavia, she is evaluating the self-selected and optimal walking speed at uphill in amputees. Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (one year). PI: me.
Patriciah dal Moro (2024-2025) - She is a PhD candidate in Health Sciences at Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD, Brazil, tutor: Prof. Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz) doing a stage abroad with us at LocoLab/UNIPV. Here in Pavia, she is studying the association between oral health and cognitive status in people with Parkinson's disease. Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (one year). PI: me.
Edilson de Borba (2025-) - He is a PhD candidate in Physical Education at Federal University of Paraná (UFPR, Brazil, tutor: Prof. Marcus Peikriszwili Tartaruga) doing a stage abroad with us at LocoLab/UNIPV. Here in Pavia, he is studying the mechanical determinants of the self-selected and optimal stride frequency at uphill in runners. Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (six months). PI: me.
Lucas de Liz Alves (2022) - He did the MSc (2022-2024) with us, studying the mechanical work and pendulum-like mechanism during uphill walking in people with Parkinson's disease (PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Lucas's PhD is about the mechanical determinants of the hilly running performance and economy. (tutor: Prof. Aline Haas, PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Funding: Capes-Brazil. PI: me.
Henrique Leal-Nascimento (2019) - He did the MSc (2019-2021) with us, studying the mechanical work and pendulum-like mechanism during Nordic walking in people with Parkinson's disease (PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Henrique's PhD is about the mechanical determinants of the vertical and horizontal locomotory activities in people from Amazon region (tutor, Prof. Flavio Castro, PPGCMH-UFRGS, Brazil). Funding: Capes-Brazil. PI: me.
Patriciah dal Moro (2025-) - She is a PhD candidate in Health Sciences at Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD, Brazil, tutor: Prof. Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz) doing a stage abroad with us at LocoLab/UNIPV. Here in Pavia, she is studying the relatioship between cognitive status and bucal health in people with Parkinson's disease using the paradigm of dual-tasking. Funding: Confap Brazil-Italy (one year). PI: me.
MSc candidates
Mattheus Streb (2024-) - He is doing the MSc in Human Movement Sciences (UFRGS, Brazil) on mechanical determinants of the self-selected and optimal stride frequency in uphill running. Funding: Capes-Brazil. PI: me.
Alice Scussel (2022-) - She is doing the MSc in Respiratory Sciences (UFRGS, Brazil) on exercise in COPD: locomotor aspects. PI: Prof. Danilo Cortozi Berton. Funding: Capes-Brazil.
Undergraduate fellows
Natalia Rocha Palma (2023-) - She has been working in the Nordic walking project (extension project, UFRGS, Brazil) and studying on effects of uphill and dual tasks interventions on gait bilateral and intersegmental coordination.
Giulia Gallarini (2024-) - She has been an internal fellowship (tirocinio) in the LocoLab (UNIPV, Italy) and studying on gait physiomechanics in an individual with full toes amputation.
Federico Calabresi (2024-) - He has been an internal fellowship (tirocinio) in the LocoLab (UNIPV, Italy) and studying on the effects of uphill on gait physiomechanics in humans, and martial arts.
Augusto Rossa Inda (2023-) - He has been working in the Locomotion running group (extension project, UFRGS, Brazil) and studying on effects of stride frequency on running physiomechanics at level.
Fernando de Mello (2023-) - He has been working in the Nordic walking project (extension project, UFRGS, Brazil) and studying on effects of Nordic walking and dual task in the gait biomechanics and locomotor-cognitive dual task cost in olders and individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Elisa Cimino (2025-) - Our rookie, she has been an internal fellowship (tirocinio) in the LocoLab (UNIPV, Italy) and studying on the effects of uphill on gait physiomechanics in humans, and martial arts.
Social media:
Instagram - LocoLab - https://www.instagram.com/locolab_unipv/
Instagram - Locomotion - https://www.instagram.com/locomotion.ufrgs/
Instagram - Grupo de corrida Locomotion - https://www.instagram.com/corridalocomotion/
Instagram - Nordic walking Locomotion - https://www.instagram.com/nordicwalking_ufrgs/
Facebook - Xô Parkinson - https://www.facebook.com/groups/685148744877575/
Facebook - Triathlon team Ufrgs - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1382320398702815/
Facebook - Locomotion - https://www.facebook.com/groups/121614914649184/
Twitter - Locomotion - https://twitter.com/UfrgsLocomotion