Sjoerd Bruijn

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT Amsterdam
room A626
Main interest
My main research interest is how humans are able to walk on two legs with such remarkable ease. I am convinced that this is due to two things; 1) the way the human body is build, and 2) remarkable control from the central nervous system. In my research, I try to disentangle how this control is achieved.
For instance, during my time as postdoc in Leuven, I combined kinematic measures of gait with brain imaging methods, in order to focus on the neural control of gait stability. I designed a gait-related dual-task paradigm combining fMRI and state-of-the-art diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This project helped to identify (some) gait-related brain areas and corresponding pathways.
Recently, in my NWO-Veni funded project, I’ve used measurements of brain activity during walking, by means of Electro-EncephaloGraphy to see which parts of the brain are involved in making us walk stable on two legs.
Currently, I am starting up and NWO-VIDI project, to follow up on my Veni project. In this project, I will test the hypothesis that gait stability is controlled only in certain moments in the gait cycle. A project page on this project will be online soon.
Other research interests
- I did my internship on the coordination of transverse pelvis and thorax rotations during walking, and continue to have an interest in the coordination of the trunk while walking (see Bruijn et al., 2008; Wu et al., 2008), and am currently supervising a PhD student on this topic.
- Together with Myrthe Plaisier, I’m working on a more applied project, in which we look into the possibility of improving tactile pavement for navigation. Find more details on the project here.
Personal news…
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Corporate news…
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Research…
Active control and passively stable patterns
Building on research on kinematic measures and neural correlates of gait stability, we hypothesize that several distinct phases of the gait cycle require active control.Neural Underpinnings
Studying motor-related changes of synchronized neural activity and its network-like distribution elucidates how the brain can operate as functional unit despite numerous anatomical connections between simultaneously active neurons.Stability of Gait
Walking on two legs is inherently unstable. Still, we humans perform remarkable well at it, mostly without falling. We measure and perturbed walking to gain more insight into the role of the central nervous system in controlling gait stability.
Network…
- No activities at the moment.
Excerpts of scientific work
- The effect of constraining mediolateral ankle moments and foot placement on the use of the counter-rotation mechanism during walking
The effect of constraining mediolateral ankle moments and foot placement on the use of the counter-rotation mechanism during walking
van den Bogaart, M., Bruijn, S. M., Spildooren, J., van Dieën, J. H. & Meyns, P., May 2022, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 136, p. 1-8 8 p., 111073.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Effects of age and surface instability on the control of the center of mass
Effects of age and surface instability on the control of the center of mass
van den Bogaart, M., Bruijn, S. M., Spildooren, J., van Dieën, J. H. & Meyns, P., Apr 2022, In: Human Movement Science. 82, p. 1-10 10 p., 102930.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Contribution of arm movements to balance recovery after tripping in older adults
Contribution of arm movements to balance recovery after tripping in older adults
Bruijn, S. M., Sloot, L. H., Kingma, I. & Pijnappels, M., Mar 2022, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 133, p. 1-4 4 p., 110981.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Can foot placement during gait be trained? Adaptations in stability control when ankle moments are constrained
Can foot placement during gait be trained? Adaptations in stability control when ankle moments are constrained
Hoogstad, L. A., van Leeuwen, A. M., van Dieën, J. H. & Bruijn, S. M., Mar 2022, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 134, p. 1-7 7 p., 110990.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The underlying mechanisms of improved balance after one and ten sessions of balance training in older adults
The underlying mechanisms of improved balance after one and ten sessions of balance training in older adults
Alizadehsaravi, L., Koster, R. A. J., Muijres, W., Maas, H., Bruijn, S. M. & van Dieën, J. H., Feb 2022, In: Human Movement Science. 81, p. 1-14 14 p., 102910.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Strong relationship of muscle force and fall efficacy, but not of gait kinematics, with number of falls in the year after Total Hip Arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: An exploratory study
Strong relationship of muscle force and fall efficacy, but not of gait kinematics, with number of falls in the year after Total Hip Arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: An exploratory study
Lin, X. B., Wu, W. H., Weijer, R. H. A., Prins, M. R., van Dieën, J. H., Bruijn, S. M. & Meijer, O. G., Feb 2022, In: Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon). 92, p. 1-7 7 p., 105551.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Reliability of IMU-Based Gait Assessment in Clinical Stroke Rehabilitation
Reliability of IMU-Based Gait Assessment in Clinical Stroke Rehabilitation
Felius, R. A. W., Geerars, M., Bruijn, S. M., van Dieën, J. H., Wouda, N. C. & Punt, M., 1 Feb 2022, In: Sensors. 22, 3, p. 1-19 19 p., 908.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Stabilization demands of walking modulate the vestibular contributions to gait
Stabilization demands of walking modulate the vestibular contributions to gait
Magnani, R. M., Bruijn, S. M., van Dieën, J. H. & Forbes, P. A., Dec 2021, In: Scientific Reports. 11, 1, p. 1-13 13 p., 13736.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Ankle muscles drive mediolateral center of pressure control to ensure stable steady state gait
Ankle muscles drive mediolateral center of pressure control to ensure stable steady state gait
van Leeuwen, A. M., van Dieën, J. H., Daffertshofer, A. & Bruijn, S. M., Dec 2021, In: Scientific Reports. 11, p. 1-14 14 p., 21481.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- How does external lateral stabilization constrain normal gait, apart from improving medio-lateral gait stability?
How does external lateral stabilization constrain normal gait, apart from improving medio-lateral gait stability?
Mahaki, M., Ijmker, T., Houdijk, H. & Bruijn, S. M., Mar 2021, In: Royal Society Open Science. 8, 3, p. 1-15 15 p., 202088.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The validation of new phase-dependent gait stability measures: A modelling approach
The validation of new phase-dependent gait stability measures: A modelling approach
Jin, J., Kistemaker, DA., van Dieen, J., Daffertshofer, A. & Bruijn, S., Feb 2021, In: Royal Society Open Science. 8, 2, p. 1-18 18 p., 201122.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Coordination of axial trunk rotations during gait in low back pain: A narrative review
Coordination of axial trunk rotations during gait in low back pain: A narrative review
van Dieën, J. H., Prins, M. R., Bruijn, S. M., Wu, W. H., Liang, B., Lamoth, C. J. C. & Meijer, O. G., 29 Jan 2021, In: Journal of Human Kinetics. 76, p. 35-50 16 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Active foot placement control ensures stable gait: Effect of constraints on foot placement and ankle moments
Active foot placement control ensures stable gait: Effect of constraints on foot placement and ankle moments
van Leeuwen, A. M., van Dieën, J. H., Daffertshofer, A. & Bruijn, S. M., 17 Dec 2020, In: PLoS ONE. 15, 12, p. 1-19 19 p., e0242215.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The influence of postural threat on strategy selection in a stepping-down paradigm
The influence of postural threat on strategy selection in a stepping-down paradigm
Kluft, N., Bruijn, S. M., Luu, M. J., Dieën, J. H. V., Carpenter, M. G. & Pijnappels, M., 1 Dec 2020, In: Scientific Reports. 10, 1, p. 9 1 p., 10815.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Fear of movement is not associated with trunk movement variability during gait in patients with low back pain
Fear of movement is not associated with trunk movement variability during gait in patients with low back pain
Veeger, T. T. J., van Trigt, B., Hu, H., Bruijn, S. M. & van Dieën, J. H., Dec 2020, In: The Spine Journal. 20, 12, p. 1986-1994 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Head orientation and gait stability in young adults, dancers and older adults
Head orientation and gait stability in young adults, dancers and older adults
Magnani, R. M., Bruijn, S. M., van Dieën, J. H. & Vieira, M. F., Jul 2020, In: Gait and Posture. 80, p. 68-73 6 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Modulation of soleus muscle H-reflexes and ankle muscle co-contraction with surface compliance during unipedal balancing in young and older adults
Modulation of soleus muscle H-reflexes and ankle muscle co-contraction with surface compliance during unipedal balancing in young and older adults
Alizadehsaravi, L., Bruijn, S. M., Maas, H. & van Dieën, J. H., Jun 2020, In: Experimental Brain Research. 238, 6, p. 1371-1383 13 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The effect of anteroposterior perturbations on the control of the center of mass during treadmill walking
The effect of anteroposterior perturbations on the control of the center of mass during treadmill walking
van den Bogaart, M., Bruijn, S. M., van Dieën, J. H. & Meyns, P., 16 Apr 2020, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 103, p. 1-7 7 p., 109660.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Gait stability at early stages of multiple sclerosis using different data sources
Gait stability at early stages of multiple sclerosis using different data sources
Cofré Lizama, L. E., Bruijn, S. M. & Galea, M. P., Mar 2020, In: Gait and Posture. 77, p. 214-217 4 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- A novel Movement Amplification environment reveals effects of controlling lateral centre of mass motion on gait stability and metabolic cost
A novel Movement Amplification environment reveals effects of controlling lateral centre of mass motion on gait stability and metabolic cost
Wu, M. M., Brown, G. L., Woodward, J. L., Bruijn, S. M. & Gordon, K. E., 15 Jan 2020, In: Royal Society Open Science. 7, p. 1-14 14 p., 190889.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Does misjudgement in a stepping down paradigm predict falls in an older population?
Does misjudgement in a stepping down paradigm predict falls in an older population?
Kluft, N., Bruijn, S. M., Weijer, R. H. A., Van Dieën, J. H. & Pijnappels, M., 1 Nov 2019, In: Royal Society Open Science. 6, 11, 190786.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The effect of external lateral stabilization on the use of foot placement to control mediolateral stability in walking and running
The effect of external lateral stabilization on the use of foot placement to control mediolateral stability in walking and running
Mahaki, M., Bruijn, S. M. & Van Dieën, J. H., 28 Oct 2019, In: PeerJ. 2019, 10, p. 1-15 15 p., e7939.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Axial pelvis range of motion affects thorax-pelvis timing during gait
Axial pelvis range of motion affects thorax-pelvis timing during gait
Cornelisse, L. E., Meijer, O. G., van der Wurff, P., Bruijn, S. M. & van Dieën, J. H., 11 Oct 2019, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 95, p. 1-9 9 p., 109308.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- The effect of a passive trunk exoskeleton on metabolic costs during lifting and walking
The effect of a passive trunk exoskeleton on metabolic costs during lifting and walking
Baltrusch, S. J., van Dieën, J. H., Bruijn, S. M., Koopman, A. S., van Bennekom, C. A. M. & Houdijk, H., 3 Jul 2019, In: Ergonomics. 62, 7, p. 903-916 14 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Influence of arm swing on cost of transport during walking
Influence of arm swing on cost of transport during walking
De Graaf, M. L., Hubert, J., Houdijk, H. & Bruijn, S. M., 10 Jun 2019, In: Biology open. 8, 6, bio039263.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Does a Perturbation Based Gait Intervention Enhance Gait Stability in Fall Prone Stroke Survivors? A Pilot Study
Does a Perturbation Based Gait Intervention Enhance Gait Stability in Fall Prone Stroke Survivors? A Pilot Study
Punt, M., Bruijn, S. M., van de Port, I. G., de Rooij, I. J. M., Wittink, H. & van Dieën, J. H., 1 Jun 2019, In: Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 35, 3, p. 173-181 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- On the manipulability of swing foot and stability of human locomotion
On the manipulability of swing foot and stability of human locomotion
Miripour Fard, B. & Bruijn, S. M., Jun 2019, In: Multibody System Dynamics. 46, 2, p. 109-125 17 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Axial Thorax-Pelvis Coordination During Gait is not Predictive of Apparent Trunk Stiffness
Axial Thorax-Pelvis Coordination During Gait is not Predictive of Apparent Trunk Stiffness
Prins, M. R., Bruijn, S. M., Meijer, O. G., van der Wurff, P. & van Dieen, J. H., 31 Jan 2019, In: Scientific Reports. 9, p. 1-8 8 p., 1066.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Gait stability in response to platform, belt, and sensory perturbations in young and older adults
Gait stability in response to platform, belt, and sensory perturbations in young and older adults
Roeles, S., Rowe, P. J., Bruijn, S. M., Childs, C. R., Tarfali, G. D., Steenbrink, F. & Pijnappels, M., Dec 2018, In: Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing. 56, 12, p. 2325-2335 11 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Do older adults select appropriate motor strategies in a stepping-down paradigm?
Do older adults select appropriate motor strategies in a stepping-down paradigm?
Kluft, N., Bruijn, S. M., Van Dieën, J. H. & Pijnappels, M., 12 Oct 2018, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 9, October, p. 1-10 10 p., 1419.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Different neural substrates for precision stepping and fast online step adjustments in youth
Different neural substrates for precision stepping and fast online step adjustments in youth
Corporaal, S. H. A., Bruijn, S. M., Hoogkamer, W., Chalavi, S., Boisgontier, M. P., Duysens, J., Swinnen, S. P. & Gooijers, J., May 2018, In: Brain Structure and Function. 223, 4, p. 2039-2053 15 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Improved prediction of falls in community-dwelling older adults through phase-dependent entropy of daily-life walking
Improved prediction of falls in community-dwelling older adults through phase-dependent entropy of daily-life walking
Ihlen, E. A. F., van Schooten, K. S., Bruijn, S. M., van Dieën, J. H., Vereijken, B., Helbostad, J. L. & Pijnappels, M., 5 Mar 2018, In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 10, MARCH, p. 1-12 12 p., 44.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Evidence of splinting in low back pain? A systematic review of perturbation studies
Evidence of splinting in low back pain? A systematic review of perturbation studies
Prins, M., Griffioen, M., Veeger, T. T. J., Kiers, H., Meijer, O. G., van der Wurff, P., Bruijn, S. M. & van Dieën, J. H., 1 Jan 2018, In: European Spine Journal. 27, 1, p. 40-59 20 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- On the validity and consistency of misjudgment of stepping ability in young and older adults
On the validity and consistency of misjudgment of stepping ability in young and older adults
Kluft, N., Bruijn, S. M., Weijer, R. H. A., van Dieën, J. H. & Pijnappels, M., 21 Dec 2017, In: PLoS ONE. 12, 12, p. e0190088 e0190088.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Changes in gait characteristics of women with early and established medial knee osteoarthritis: Results from a 2-years longitudinal study
Changes in gait characteristics of women with early and established medial knee osteoarthritis: Results from a 2-years longitudinal study
Mahmoudian, A., van Dieёn, J. H., Baert, I. A. C., Bruijn, S. M., Faber, G. S., Luyten, F. P. & Verschueren, S. M. P., 1 Dec 2017, In: Clinical Biomechanics. 50, p. 32-39 8 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Virtual obstacle crossing: Reliability and differences in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls
Virtual obstacle crossing: Reliability and differences in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls
Punt, M., Bruijn, S. M., Wittink, H., van de Port, I. G., Wubbels, G. & van Dieën, J. H., 1 Oct 2017, In: Gait and Posture. 58, p. 533-538 6 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Dynamic and static knee alignment at baseline predict structural abnormalities on MRI associated with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis after 2 years
Dynamic and static knee alignment at baseline predict structural abnormalities on MRI associated with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis after 2 years
Mahmoudian, A., van Dieёn, J. H., Bruijn, S. M., Baert, I. A. C., Faber, G. S., Luyten, F. P. & Verschueren, S. M. P., 1 Sep 2017, In: Gait and Posture. 57, p. 46-51 6 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Fractional stability of trunk acceleration dynamics of daily-life walking: Toward a unified concept of gait stability
Fractional stability of trunk acceleration dynamics of daily-life walking: Toward a unified concept of gait stability
Ihlen, E. A. F., van Schooten, K. S., Bruijn, S. M., Pijnappels, M. & van Dieën, J. H., 29 Aug 2017, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 8, AUG, 516.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- How to measure responses of the knee to lateral perturbations during gait? A proof-of-principle for quantification of knee instability
How to measure responses of the knee to lateral perturbations during gait? A proof-of-principle for quantification of knee instability
van den Noort, J. C., Sloot, L. H., Bruijn, S. M. & Harlaar, J., 16 Aug 2017, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 61, p. 111-122 12 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Responses to gait perturbations in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls
Responses to gait perturbations in stroke survivors who prospectively experienced falls or no falls
Punt, M., Bruijn, S. M., Roeles, S., van de Port, I. G., Wittink, H. & van Dieën, J. H., 11 Apr 2017, In: Journal of Biomechanics. 55, p. 56-63 8 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Do clinical assessments, steady-state or daily-life gait characteristics predict falls in ambulatory chronic stroke survivors?
Do clinical assessments, steady-state or daily-life gait characteristics predict falls in ambulatory chronic stroke survivors?
Punt, M., Bruijn, S. M., Wittink, H., van de Port, I. G. & Van Dieën, J. H., 2017, In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 49, 5, p. 402-409 8 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Over-and underestimation of older adults: How older adults judge their own gait ability
Over- en onderschatting bij senioren: Hoe oudere mensen hun eigen loopvaardigheden inschatten
Kluft, N., van Dieen, J., Bruijn, S. M. & Pijnappels, M. A. G. M., Dec 2016, In: Tijdschrift voor Human Factors. 41, 4, p. 10-13 4 p.Translated title of the contribution :Over-and underestimation of older adults: How older adults judge their own gait ability Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Professional
- Slow maturation of planning in obstacle avoidance in humans
Slow maturation of planning in obstacle avoidance in humans
Corporaal, S. H. A., Swinnen, S. P., Duysens, J. & Bruijn, S. M., 19 Jan 2016, In: Journal of Neurophysiology. 115, 1, p. 404-412 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Age-related neural correlates of cognitive task performance under increased postural load
Age-related neural correlates of cognitive task performance under increased postural load
Van Impe, A., Bruijn, S. M., Coxon, J. P., Wenderoth, N., Sunaert, S., Duysens, J. & Swinnen, S. P., Dec 2013, In: Age. 35, 6, p. 2111-24 14 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Gait stability in children with Cerebral Palsy
Gait stability in children with Cerebral Palsy
Bruijn, S. M., Millard, M., van Gestel, L., Meyns, P., Jonkers, I. & Desloovere, K., May 2013, In: Research in Developmental Disabilities. 34, 5, p. 1689-99 11 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Are stability issues a potential cause for adaptations in split belt walking? (vol 36, pg 1, 2012)
Are stability issues a potential cause for adaptations in split belt walking? (vol 36, pg 1, 2012)
Bruijn, S., Apr 2013, In: Gait and Posture. 37, 4, p. 640-640Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Selective bilateral activation of leg muscles after cutaneous nerve stimulation during backward walking
Selective bilateral activation of leg muscles after cutaneous nerve stimulation during backward walking
Hoogkamer, W., Massaad, F., Jansen, K., Bruijn, S. M. & Duysens, J., Oct 2012, In: Journal of Neurophysiology. 108, 7, p. 1933-41 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Split-belt walking: adaptation differences between young and older adults
Split-belt walking: adaptation differences between young and older adults
Bruijn, S. M., Van Impe, A., Duysens, J. & Swinnen, S. P., Aug 2012, In: Journal of Neurophysiology. 108, 4, p. 1149-57 9 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Is interlimb coordination during walking preserved in children with cerebral palsy?
Is interlimb coordination during walking preserved in children with cerebral palsy?
Meyns, P., Van Gestel, L., Bruijn, S. M., Desloovere, K., Swinnen, S. P. & Duysens, J., 24 Apr 2012, In: Research in Developmental Disabilities. 33, 5, p. 1418-28 11 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
- Control of angular momentum during walking in children with cerebral palsy
Control of angular momentum during walking in children with cerebral palsy
Bruijn, S. M., Meyns, P., Jonkers, I., Kaat, D. & Duysens, J., 7 Jun 2011, In: Research in Developmental Disabilities. 32, 6, p. 2860-6 7 p.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Excerpts of scientific work
- Is stability an unstable concept? Quantifying dynamic stability of human locomotion
Is stability an unstable concept? Quantifying dynamic stability of human locomotion
Bruijn, S. M., 2010, 156 p.Research output: PhD Thesis › PhD-Thesis - Research and graduation internal