Michael Asmussen

Dr. Michael Asmussen is a Professor in the Faculty of Education and Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University (VIU). He leads the Foot-Ankle Stability (FASt) Lab and is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research on human locomotion, with a focus on the biomechanics and neural control of the foot and ankle. His research integrates biomechanical tools, physiological assessments, and computational modeling to understand movement in healthy, aging, injured, and diseased populations.

His research interests center on understanding the complex structure and function of the foot and ankle during walking and running. He investigates how impairments in the nervous, muscular, or skeletal systems affect mobility, especially in aging or pathological conditions. His work aims to translate biomechanical insights into innovative clinical tools and interventions that improve stability and safe ambulation across the lifespan.

Dr. Asmussen's research is supported by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award and an NSERC Discovery Grant (2021–2026). These awards highlight his contributions to health-related biomechanics and his potential for long-term impact in the field.

• Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award

He mentors students through his FASt Lab and contributes to undergraduate and graduate research at VIU. His lab utilizes advanced techniques including motion capture, force plate analysis, electromyography (EMG), and musculoskeletal modeling. While no specific grants beyond the named awards are detailed, his research program is clearly structured around sustained, externally funded inquiry.

The FASt Lab (Foot-Ankle Stability Lab) serves as the primary research environment for Dr. Asmussen’s work. It supports interdisciplinary collaboration and training for students in kinesiology and health sciences, focusing on experimental and computational approaches to mobility research.