Movement and Musculoskeletal Health Lab
Dr. Leigh Gabel Lab Group
The Movement and Musculoskeletal health lab (MyMSK lab) is dedicated to understanding how movement (exercise and physical activity) influence musculoskeletal health across the lifespan. Directed by Dr. Leigh Gabel, our lab uses a range of advanced medical imaging (HR-pQCT, pQCT, and DXA) to study growth and maturation of the skeletal system and to study how loading and unloading impacts the skeletal system in adulthood. We focus on critical life periods for bone accrual (e.g., childhood and adolescence) and bone loss (e.g., menopause), and how physical activity and exercise can enhance bone accrual and prevent bone loss. We also study conditions that adversely affect skeletal health (e.g., microgravity and chronic conditions).
Our Research Themes
Our areas of expertise in relation to musculoskeletal health
Bone Loss during Menopause
We are interested in interventions that prevent bone loss during menopause.
Bone Loss during Spaceflight
We are interested in countermeasures that prevent bone loss during long-duration spaceflight.
Growth and Maturation of the Musculoskeletal System
We use medical imaging to study how body tissues (bone, muscle, and fat) change during childhood and adolescence, with a particular focus on the adolescent growth spurt and techniques to control for biological maturation. We study musculoskeletal health in healthy children and those with chronic conditions (e.g., type 1 diabetes and cerebral palsy).
Wearable Technology (accelerometers)
We use accelerometry to study movement patterns (physical activity and sedentary time), including investigating which accelerometry parameters best reflect bone-loading activity.
Land Acknowledgement
Dr. Gabel and members of the MyMSK Lab respectfully acknowledge that we reside on the historical and current traditional territories of the peoples of the Treat 7 region in Southern Alberta, including land of the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta Districts 5 and 6. Calgary is situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, a site traditionally known as Moh’kins’tsis to the Blackfoot, Wîchîspa to the Stoney Nakoda, and Guts’ists’i to the Tsuut’ina.
Members of the MyMSK Lab are committed to learning about, reflecting on, and supporting Indigenous People’s rights for self-determination.