Dr. Lucie Pelland

Dr. Pelland's research aims to understand the development of sensory-motor control in both typical child development and in selected paediatric clinical populations. Visually-guided reaching is used as a model to explore the dynamic influences of neural maturation, cognition and limb mechanics on the development and learning of sensory-motor control. Virtual reality and robotic technology (KINARM Exoskeleton, Dr. Stephen Scott) are used to design behavioural tasks that allow us to investigate specific components of these dynamic process, and to precisely evaluate the effects of brain injury sustained during childhood and adolescence on the developmental trajectories of sensory-motor coordination and learning. Through recent collaborative research partnerships, brain imaging is being included in our studies to examine the neural correlates of measured performance. A parallel of research stream uses electromyography, motion analysis and computational modelling to understand the developmental biomechanics of head and neck control, as it relates to paediatric concussion in ice hockey. 

A fundamental goal of my research is the translation of methods and knowledge to clinical practice to inform the design of rehabilitation interventions that will optimize neural plasticity, child function and safe participation in sport.