Department of Movement and Sports Sciences

Motor Control

The Motor Control group is headed by Prof. Dr. Matthieu Lenoir and Prof. Dr. Frederik Deconinck. They conduct research in three domains: talent, typical development, and atypical development, with support from collaborations at local, national, and international levels.

Our mission

We study how human movement works and what “good” movement means for children and older adults, for athletes and non‑athletes, for those who are skilled and those who are less skilled, in short: for everyone.


We know that motor skills are essential for development and quality of life. As a knowledge center we provide a reference framework and we identify opportunities to use our expertise to improve growth and living. We also strive to raise awareness about the importance of high‑quality movement.

We lead the way in promoting high‑quality movement for all.

We do this...

• … driven by quality:
What we do, we do well. As a reliable source, partner, and educator, we strive for quality, develop our expertise, push boundaries, and look for gaps. We make choices primarily based on scientific evidence.

• … through strong engagement:
As researchers, we see a natural link between theory and practice. We stay connected to what is happening in the field and seek for partnerships across sectors (health, sport, education, …). We consciously take on our responsibility in society. Above all, we work from shared motivation and passion.

• … always with an open mindset:
We look beyond boundaries and are not limited by niches. We value the perspectives and experiences of others. We collaborate in an open culture where we critically and constructively inspire and strengthen one another and each other’s work.

• … with an eye for sustainability:
Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, we embed our research in society. We strive for continuity in research lines and guide our researchers forward with a strong foundation.

Talent

Identification and development of young (future) elite athletes

In the dynamic international sports landscape, accurately identifying and detecting sporting talent is crucial for the success of individual athletes and national teams. Within our research group, we have been investigating the mechanisms and methodologies leading to effective talent identification and subsequent development for many years.
Our focus is on understanding factors contributing to expertise in sports and its development. Through advanced data approaches, we contribute to optimal, economic, and sustainable identification and development of Belgian sports talent. Within this framework, Drs. Laurens Gilson collaborates with the Royal Belgian Football Association to optimize the identification and development of Belgian football talent.


Typical Development

Boosting motor development of the next generation

Motor competence and development are crucial in the overall development of young children, not only to function well in a work-related and daily context later in life but also to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Previous research globally, including in Belgium, indicates a decline in motor competence among young children. Therefore, our research group has developed various initiatives to counteract this decline.

Multimove (Dr. Eline Coppens) focuses on building a broad motor foundation for preschoolers and elementary school children in their free time. Additionally, the Bobbelbaan (Dr. Elly van Hyfte), as an innovative teaching concept, aims to design physical education lessons in elementary school to stimulate broad motor development.
An overlooked group in this research field is young children (1-3 years old). Specifically for this population, the MoMoCo project (Drs. Lisa Mertens) aims to map the motor competence of Flemish toddlers. Following this, we explore how the motor competence of these young children relates to environmental factors (such as the physical environment, interactions with parents and caregivers) and investigate risk competence as a cornerstone of optimal motor and overall development. Answers to these questions are sought in the 1-2-3 MOVE! project (Dr. Eline Coppens, Dr. Amber Van Puyvelde, Drs. Lies Blontrock, Drs. Lore Daelman, Drs. Laure Geirnaert, Drs. Helena Sienaert). The ultimate goal of this project is to create initiatives for optimal developmental opportunities for children are developed through co-creation with various partners from the field and policy.

Atypical Develompent

Planning and control of actions in populations with motor issues

Through psycho-physical and experimental research, we seek to gain insight into the cognitive and sensory processes underlying motor control and motor learning. This research, conducted by Dr. Mireille Augustijn, Dr. Griet Warlop and Drs. Arthur De Raeve,  helps us better understand the motor issues of individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), obesity, or other developmental disorders.

The following projects have already been completed

Overview research projects