Physiology and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit

Unit Composition:

Head of Unit: Prof Alexandre Legrand
Research Assistant: Elodie Lecomte
Educational Support Assistance: A. Robbe and I. Joris
FRIA Researcher: Adeline Bonaert
Technicians: Bernard Blairon and Vinciane Jenart

Address:

University of Mons
“Pentagone” wing 1C
Avenue du Champ de Mars 6
B - 7000 MONS (BELGIUM)

Research Projects:

	Studying the effectiveness and activity of respiratory muscles: All muscles active during breathing do not contribute to ventilation in the same way. Their contribution will depend on the intensity of the activity and their mechanical effectiveness. We studied this activity by electromyography and metabolic study and compared it to the respiratory effectiveness of these muscles. Moreover, in case of pathological states (emphysema or scoliosis) the effectiveness of respiratory muscles is faded. We studied this deterioration and the capacity of the respiratory system to adapt to this change of effectiveness.

Publications 

1) Structure and Operation of Respiratory Muscles
(Activity - Mechanical Function - type of fibers)

On-going Research Projects:

* The relation between mechanical function and advantage among species (example of the scalene muscle);
* Mechanical function enabling adequacy between respiratory activity andeffectiveness;
* Structural and functional modification of costal grill muscles in the case of scoliosis.

2) Kidney Hemodynamics

* Study of the factors determining self-regulation (NO - Urotensin);
* Disturbances associated with ischaemia-reperfusion.