Maastricht University, dept. of Human Movement Sciences & dept. of IDEE

Maastricht, the Netherlands

Established in 1976, Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and renowned for its innovative, student-centered problem-based learning system. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools linked to the university’s six faculties.
The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science (FHML) and the Academic Hospital in Maastricht work together under the umbrella organisation Maastricht UMC+. Maastricht UMC+ is the perfect partner for: health recovery, health preservation and health promotion. Our mission is brief and to the point: to provide the best possible care and improve the health in the region through the integration of patient care, research, and education.
Our motto Healthy living embodies the strategic vision of Maastricht UMC+ based on an exceptional approach to health and disease. The focus is on prevention and integrated care and on cooperation within the chain and in the region. This motto also reflects the close interrelationship of our three core activities – patient care, scientific research, and training & education. Moreover, it is an excellent foundation for the multidisciplinary, problem-based approach we take to research and our educational programmes, an approach which sets us apart from other institutes.
At the FHML, the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences and the IDEE Engineering Department contribute to the Wearable Healthcare unit. Both departments have strong bilateral translational relations with the MUMC+ Academic Hospital. Not in the least since there expertise is closely related to the motto of the MUMC+. The Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences focuses on biomedical research regarding life style factors (i.e. nutrition, physical activity, thermoregulation) that impact health and quality of life. Within Wearable Healthcare the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences contributes expertise in the field of research and evaluation of medical devices. Furthermore, they develop multi-parameter algorithms based on their scientific musculoskeletal knowledge. The department has state-of-the-art facilities for 3D motion analysis, for metabolic research and for monitoring of physiological parameters in relation to behaviour in free living conditions.
IDEE develops proof of concepts of new innovative technological solutions based on problems/ideas of clinicians and researchers for the purpose of unique research and care in the very broad field of medicine, health care and life sciences. In the field of Wearable Healthcare IDEE developed a modular measurement and data management platform and is, amongst others, concerned with new technologies in the field of sensors, miniaturization, power consumption, ease of use, algorithms and data science. IDEE has a large international network of technological knowledge institutes and companies for technology development.