We spoke with Joeri Gerlo, Core Facility Coordinator of MoveLab, who oversees the lab’s day-to-day operations. In this blog, he explains how MoveLab came to be, its role within the university, and how he envisions the future of movement science.
MoveLab officially launched on April 1, 2024, as a central research facility designed to make high-tech equipment accessible and efficiently managed. By combining the expertise of two departments (Movement and Sport Sciences & Rehabilitation Sciences), the facility now offers a state-of-the-art environment for both internal and external researchers.
Two campuses with complementary labs
MoveLab provides a wide range of equipment for motion analysis and exercise testing, such as force and pressure plates, 3D motion capture, and advanced treadmills. For sports physiology they have cycle ergometers, gas analysis equipment and even a climate chamber. There is equipment for ultrasounds, UTC and pain assessment for clinical research, and for non-invasive tests there are devices for EEG, ECG, EMG and eye tracking. For mobile applications, you can borrow activity trackers such as ActiGraph and Axivity.
The facility spans Campus Dunant and Campus UZ Gent, with each location serving complementary purposes. Dunant focuses on sports performance and exercise physiology, including exercise laboratories, climate chambers, and bicycle ergometers. UZ Gent is tailored to clinical research and rehabilitation, with ultrasound, pain monitoring, and advanced strength measurements.
“As Core Facility Coordinator, I work with the MoveLab team to ensure everything runs smoothly,” he says. This includes overseeing maintenance, intake meetings, pricing, planning, stock management and supporting researchers, and the occasional interview ;-).
Hub for multidisciplinary research
MoveLab’s reach extends beyond traditional sports and rehabilitation sciences. “In the past year, we also had researchers visiting from experimental psychology, geography, and engineering.” The common focus is the human in motion; whether studying gaze behavior, brain activity, sports performance, rehabilitation, or interaction with digital environments.
As part of Ghent University’s network of over 30 certified core facilities, MoveLab operates under strict quality standards and a non-profit model. “All income is reinvested in maintaining and renewing the infrastructure,” Joeri explains. Centralized booking and invoicing through the CFMS system make the process transparent and efficient.
Innovative studies and applications
In 2025 alone, over 50 researchers used MoveLab for projects ranging from biomechanical running analyses and rehabilitation after knee surgery to thermoregulation studies. “A nice example is a study on running retraining with force feedback on an advanced treadmill, for injury prevention” Joeri highlights. The variety illustrates the lab’s versatility and its ability to support diverse research questions.
Technology plays a central role in MoveLab’s work. “Wearables in particular, as they can deliver real-time data in ecological settings, outside the lab environment.” Combined with AI and machine learning, these tools make it possible to analyze large datasets and gain insights that were previously difficult to obtain. VR and AR are also increasingly being used in rehabilitation and sports training.
A glance at the future
MoveLab continues to expand, with ongoing applications for new equipment, including markerless motion capture, a DXA scanner, and high-end cameras for biomechanical modeling. “We also set up a voucher system, where donors of new equipment receive vouchers to use that device for free for a certain period,” Joeri explains. MoveLab aims to keep investing in new technologies so they can offer the best tools to movement researchers.
Looking forward, Joeri envisions a future where movement research becomes increasingly multidisciplinary, combining sports science, medicine, engineering, and data science. “Despite the introduction of wearables, AI, VR, AR and ER, new technologies still need to be validated against ‘gold standards’. The movement lab will continue to play a central role there,” he notes. A central hub that unites researchers, industry, and clinical partners with top-tier infrastructure and expertise.
Visit the Core MoveLab website if you’re interested in using the lab or if you have any questions regarding the facilities: https://www.ugent.be/ge/nl/onderzoek/core-facilities/coremovelab.html.
Or take a virtual tour inside MoveLab with the video below.