Dr Antti Löppönen is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, having defended his doctoral thesis in late 2023. He also holds a master’s degree in physiotherapy and biomechanics and a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy and electrical engineering. He works as a researcher at the Gerontology Research Center and the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä.
As an early career researcher, Dr Löppönen specializes particularly in device-based physical activity research, and in addition to traditional research paradigms, focuses on strength-demanding activities. His work centers on evaluating strength-demanding daily activities, such as free-living sit-to-stand transitions, among middle-aged and older individuals. His greatest passion lies in developing sensor-based functional capacity indicators that can be detected in free-living environments using wearable technology. His goal is to establish a research group that will drive this field forward. He is actively engaged in developing novel methodological solutions, especially in the realm of strength-demanding daily activities, and is currently working on innovative ways to measure the maximal performance of such activities in a free-living environment. Dr Löppönen also specializes in sports biomechanics, particularly water sports. His expertise spans sensors, signal processing and programming, honed through his international joint PhD degree in collaboration between the University of Jyväskylä and KU Leuven. He is an internationally networked and active member of the scientific organization, serving as a board member of the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Jyväskylä and a member of the University Collegium and Faculty Council at the University of Jyväskylä.
Dr Löppönen also has a range of publications and has participated in numerous national and international congresses. He has also received multiple awards, including at HEPA Europe 2023 Early Career Research Award. Additionally, he was selected as the student of the year by the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä in 2018.
