Research group Health and Performance Technology

Our expertise 

We research how people are affected by work, technology and their surroundings – and how we can develop solutions that strengthen health, safety and performance. As a multidisciplinary team with in-depth expertise in physiology, neuroscience, psychology, physics, data analysis, computer science and design, we start from the human being and use technology as a tool. 

We measure, analyse and understand people in a range of situations – whether it's a soldier in the field, an elite athlete pushing the limits of capacity, a patient in treatment or rehabilitation, or an employee striving to stay healthy throughout a long working life. The same methodological rigour applies across all these contexts. 

Our expertise includes: 

• Occupational health and sickness absence – prevention, early intervention and sustainable workplaces. 
• Health technology and digital tools, including artificial intelligence and digital twins within the health and care sector. 
• Implementation, behavioural change and reorganisation, with socio-technical perspectives on sustainable service and technology development. 
• Sports tech – technology for training, performance and injury prevention. 
• Physiological measurements, biomechanics, signal processing and sensor technology. 
• User-centred development of protective clothing and PPE (personal protective equipment), at the intersection of product design and physiology. 
• Human performance under extreme conditions, such as cold and high physical and mental load. 

We work closely with industry, the public sector and healthcare stakeholders. Our research is applied within, among others, industry, healthcare, emergency preparedness, defence, transport and sports. 

How we work 

Our methodology spans from experimental research in the laboratory to field studies and user-centred development, always with the goal of solutions that work in practice – whether in the lab or out in real-world work situations. 

Our methods include: 

• Physiological and biomechanical measurements in the laboratory and in the field. 
• Sensor technology and signal processing. 
• Questionnaires, interviews and observational studies. 
• Product and service design. 
• Development and testing of digital solutions, including AI and digital twins. 

 We develop projects in close collaboration with clients and partners, so that our research is grounded in real-world challenges – whether that means developing new health technology, reducing sickness absence, improving the work environment, or increasing safety and performance. Our goal is always to turn research into solutions that create value for society and for the people who will use the technology. 

What sets us apart? 

We combine human understanding with technological expertise, and we never view technology in isolation – only as part of the interplay between people, tasks and surroundings. 

The breadth of our research environment – spanning physiology, psychology and neuroscience to data analysis and design – allows us to follow a project from insight and needs assessment through to testing and implementation. Our strong expertise in user involvement and design methodology ensures that our solutions are not only technologically advanced, but also adapted to the people who will use them. Our own laboratories and test facilities give us unique opportunities for documentation and evaluation under realistic conditions. 

As an independent research institute, we are also able to bring together stakeholders from sports, working life, industry and healthcare around shared challenges, without ties to individual suppliers. 

An international environment 

• Development and testing of technology and methods for measuring physical and mental load in demanding work environments, one example being ActivityPresenter,  a tool for collecting movement data from multiple sources. 
• Research on occupational health and performance that has contributed to a better work environment, reduced strain and increased safety, such as improved clothing for firefighters and safety footwear that reduces musculoskeletal strain. 
• User-centred development of health technology and digital solutions in collaboration with the healthcare sector, industry and public-sector stakeholders, where new use of existing data provides the basis for more efficient hospital and healthcare operations. 
• Our own laboratories and test facilities, enabling realistic studies of people, technology and work processes at the intersection of sports, working life and health. 

How we can help you 

Do you want to understand how technology affects people at work, in sports or in everyday life? Do you need insight into physical or mental load, ergonomics or the work environment? 

We can help you with: 

• Research and analysis of occupational health and human performance. 
• Development and testing of health technology. 
• Sports tech – technology for training, performance and injury prevention. 
• Ergonomic design of clothing and equipment adapted to demanding environments. 
• User-centred design and innovation processes. 
• Measurement and evaluation of physiological and cognitive load. 
• Testing of products, services and work processes in laboratories and realistic environments. 
• Introduction and actual use of health technology in municipal and specialist healthcare services, including artificial intelligence and digital twins. 

We assist both private and public organisations, from the early idea stage through to testing, evaluation and implementation. 

Would you like to collaborate with us? 

We are always open to new collaboration opportunities. Get in touch to learn more about our research and how we can work together to solve complex challenges within health, safety and performance.