As part of our ongoing series featuring biomechanics laboratories worldwide, we present a special focus on biomechanics research in Uruguay. Below, Professor Franco Simini, Director of the Núcleo de Ingeniería Biomédica (NIB), shares insights into his work. NIB is part of MOVHUM, an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to gait analysis at the University Hospital in Montevideo, the renowned Hospital de Clínicas. This hospital, which has been serving Uruguay for nearly a century, has provided specialized healthcare for over 70 years.
Interview with Professor Franco Simini
ISB: What inspired you to establish your lab in an emerging developing country (EDC), and what unique challenges or opportunities does it face?
Prof. Simini: MOVHUM was created by integrating several academic units—both research and clinical—to work together on topics related to human movement, ranging from rehabilitation and sports medicine to technology transfer and associated basic research. The inspiration for this historic collaboration among the University Departments of Neurology, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Biophysics, Occupational Therapy, and Biomedical Engineering was the limited resources available, coupled with the growing need for neuro-rehabilitation options for an increasing number of patients. At the same time, two years of preparation for a major international event, 3DAHM2024, which took place in December 2024, helped to secure funding and recruit students..
ISB: Can you provide an overview of your laboratory and its main research focus?
Prof. Simini: MOVHUM unites multiple departments. The gait analysis laboratory, directed by Dr. Dario Santoswith a primary research focus on knee biomechanics; the Neurology Department, directed by Dr. Christina Vazquez; the Physical and Occupational Therapy Departments, led by Dr. Janine Hareau and Andrés Rey, who are active in upper limb rehabilitation; Sports Medicine, led by Dr. Sofía González Assiz, which has produced significant research on the ultrasound determination of muscular lesions; and the Biophysics Department, headed by Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira, along with our NIB, which is actively developing original medical devices based on clinical needs and transferring this technology to industry, with several recent successful examples in biomechanics.
ISB: What are the primary challenges in conducting biomechanics research in Uruguay?
Prof. Simini: Although there are five gait analysis laboratories in the country, the number of researchers and graduate students does not yet constitute the critical mass necessary to achieve a substantial leap forward in terms of results—particularly when compared with groups that
feature clinicians with PhDs and an interdisciplinary use of technology in health care. The recent establishment of MOVHUM is an attempt to foster biomechanics in Uruguay in response to this perceived weakness.
ISB: How does your lab collaborate with other institutions, both nationally and internationally?
Prof. Simini: The academic groups that are part of MOVHUM have several collaborative research projects among themselves, which form the foundation of this joint venture. Internationally, every PhD student in our groups is, in some way, affiliated with a reference laboratory abroad. This arrangement not only provides the student with an international perspective but also facilitates cooperation from eminent colleagues. An incomplete list of countries includes Canada, France, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, India, Ecuador and Argentina.
ISB: What types of equipment and resources are currently available in your lab?
Prof. Simini: MOVHUM currently has an 8-camera gait analysis system (generation 2025) provided by Motion Analysis. sEMG systems expected to arrive shortly as part of an agreement with DELSYS. Other equipment include standard electronics development instrumentation, US equipment for muscle scanning on sports fields, and weight reduction hanging devices..
ISB: What are the most urgent equipment needs that would enhance your research capabilities?
Prof. Simini: We currently lack force plates and the associated software, which would significantly enhance research in several areas at MOVHUM, linked to sEMG and to cameras.
ISB: How do you see the future of biomechanics research in Uruguay evolving?
Prof. Simini: In a slow and incremental manner, biomechanics research in Uruguay will gradually benefit from an increasing number of PhD graduates with foundational degrees in a variety of disciplines, including Engineering, Medicine (Neurology, Sports Medicine, Biophysics, etc.), and Physical and Occupational Therapy, among others. The development of new devices, along with clinical evidence of their efficacy, will eventually give rise to new startup companies staffed by PhD graduates and other dedicated personnel. A virtuous cycle of increased research, enhanced technology transfer, improved health care, and more efficient use of clinical time will eventually be established in Uruguay..
ISB: Are there any ongoing projects or success stories you would like to highlight?
Prof. Simini: DINABANG evolved from the clinical need to measure the instantaneous power of the lower limbs in sports fields and rehabilitation medical offices, effectively serving as a portable biomechanics lab. Initially defined in terms of engineering specifications by an interdisciplinary team, DINABANG was the subject of several theses and research grants. The successful prototype became the object of a university licensing agreement with a start-up company (directed by former students, now entrepreneurs), and the product is now sold in several countries, opening markets in Asia, Europe, and, naturally, Latin America..
ISB: How can the international biomechanics community contribute to supporting biomechanics in Uruguay?
Prof. Simini: A list of laboratories open to receiving graduate students for short-term or extended internships would be of great help, ideally with shared expense coverage to facilitate these study visits. During these stays, students would work on shared research projects between the host and home laboratories, paving the way for reciprocal visits and joint publications. Additionally, Uruguay is open to considering surplus donations of equipment and software in good condition from research laboratories worldwide, as well as from manufacturing firms that wish to disseminate new products in Latin America through the Universidad de la República.
Closing Remarks
The work being done at MOVHUM highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in biomechanics research in Uruguay. As Professor Simini emphasized, increased access to training opportunities and technology will be critical in advancing biomechanics in the region. In line with this, the ISB community can play a role in supporting these efforts through equipment donations and knowledge exchange. For more details on how you can contribute, please see our upcoming article on facilitating equipment donations to biomechanics laboratories in developing regions.
Back to Table of Contents
