[In the picture] Oonagh Giggins - NetwellCASALA

My name is Oonagh Giggins, and I am a research fellow from NetwellCASALA, a research centre and Living Lab in Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland. I have a background in physiotherapy and my current research interests are in the field of Digital Health. I lead the Wearables for Human Performance research theme within NetwellCASALA and I am currently working on a number of projects which are focused on designing, developing, and testing digital health solutions for older people and those with chronic health conditions. 

I am currently visiting Geel, Belgium to avail of the research infrastructure in the Motion Lab at Thomas More University as part of the Horizon 2020 project VITALISE (Virtual Health and Wellbeing Living Lab Infrastructure). VITALISE opens up Living Lab research infrastructures as a means to facilitate and promote research activities in the Health and Wellbeing domain, by enabling in person Transnational Access to Living Lab research infrastructures. I connected with LiCalab as part of VITALSE and have been granted access to conduct a study which is examining physical activity, physical ability and menopause status in a group of middle-aged women, to explore whether the menopause is associated with an accelerated decline in physical function and physical activity levels and an increase in musculoskeletal issues. I am delighted to be here in Geel, collecting data for this project