For PUBLIC EVENTS at the University please see University Events
To book a place or register interest, email us at exe.u3a.uni.liaison@gmail.com, with names, membership numbers and emails of ALL who wish to attend, including the date of the event in the subject line of your email.
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WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE OF TICKLING (YES, TICKLING) TELL US ABOUT BALANCE AND FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS?
A talk by Will Young, Associate Professor, Sport and Health Sciences
Wednesday, 22nd July
10.30 am - 12.00 pm
Room 217, Baring Court, St Luke's campus
In this talk, Dr Will Young will describe ongoing research into factors influencing balance and falls. The talk will cover the topic of how anxiety can influence the way we think and perceive the world around us. This then leads on to the topic of how our brain processes sensory information. In particular, the talk will focus on the origins of sensory illusions and how these are relevant to the control of balance and walking. The talk will finish describing the relevance of these ideas to neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's and ongoing research exploring ways to help people manage symptoms. Attendees of this talk should prepare themselves for examples of vibrating buttocks, unexpected tickles and the sensation of frozen feet.
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A VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S VSIMULATORS RESEARCH FACILITY
Postponed - new date awaited
University of Exeter Engineering Research Centre, Anning Road, Exeter Science Park, Clyst Honiton, Exeter EX5 2FN
This unique facility combines a range of tools, including eye tracking, biomedical measuring devices, VR headsets etc, all on a moving platform that can then simulate a range of environments and measure how humans react / adapt / move. The facility has supported several significant healthcare projects to help people with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, chronic ankle instability, Meniere’s (a vestibular inner ear condition affecting balance) and others. In addition, the team has worked with engineering consultants and other universities to support structural engineering projects around human response to vibration in office floors and pedestrian footbridges.
Members will have the opportunity to try out the motion platform for themselves and find out about the capabilities of our state-of-the-art facilities. Lunch will be provided.
For more information, please see below the link to the facility’s website and to a video about their healthcare research, featured on ITV Westcountry and BBC Spotlight.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/facilities/vsimulators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy2vfjl7gc0
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