By
Rehabilitation professionals know that science, technology, and human-centred care are inseparable in advancing patient outcomes. At the University of Cape Town (UCT), the Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS) research entity is leading that mission. Ranked 25th globally in the Shanghai Global Ranking for Sport Science Schools and Departments, HPALS is not only one of the youngest research centres at UCT but also one of the most impactful internationally.
HPALS sits at the intersection of movement science, health, and rehabilitation. Its work ranges from genetics and biomechanics to rehabilitation technologies, sleep science, nutrition, and community-based interventions. Under the leadership of Associate Professor Yumna Albertus and Professor Alison September, HPALS is dedicated to one clear belief: physical activity and lifestyle are powerful levers for recovery, health, and human potential.
Technology in Rehabilitation
For rehabilitation professionals, HPALS’ work demonstrates bold thinking grounded in patient realities. Associate Professor Albertus, an exercise physiologist, has pioneered research on robotic exoskeletons in Africa. In 2018, her team conducted a 24-week trial—the first of its kind on the continent—in partnership with the Walking with Brandon Foundation. The study, later published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, explored how exoskeleton-assisted therapy could retrain neural networks after spinal cord injury.
Albertus emphasizes that technology must be adapted for Africa’s realities:
“Africa has a significant population – we cannot be excluded because of lack of infrastructure.”
Her research shows how advanced rehabilitation tools can be tested, validated, and democratized in settings where resources are often limited.
Genetics, Injury, and Recovery
Professor September focuses on genetic risk factors for soft tissue injuries, co-leading an international consortium in this emerging field. Despite early doubts from collaborators, she successfully pioneered twin studies to identify genetic markers for musculoskeletal injuries. Today, she is working with international partners on large-scale collaborations, including families with twins affected by ACL ruptures.
Her work has direct implications for rehabilitation professionals—helping predict injury risk, tailor interventions, and inform recovery pathways.
Putting Humans at the Centre
HPALS’ ethos resonates strongly with rehabilitation practice: patients and communities are active partners in research. For example, feedback from individuals with spinal cord injuries revealed that independence—such as improved handgrip strength or better wheelchair ergonomics—often matters more than walking again. This patient-led perspective ensures that HPALS’ research priorities align with real rehabilitation goals.
Similarly, the YEBO-SPAN project (“Future Proofing” South African Adolescents), led by HPALS researchers, engages school learners to co-design interventions addressing poor sleep, nutrition, and low physical activity. By embedding these findings into community and policy frameworks, HPALS connects science with daily life—exactly the kind of integration rehabilitation professionals seek in their own work.
Leading Globally, From Africa
Both Albertus and September grew up in Cape Town’s Cape Flats, a community marked by hardship. Their journeys into leadership at HPALS shape the centre’s vision: bold, human-centred research that not only uplifts local communities but also drives global progress.
HPALS is now part of the Global Sports University Network—one of only two universities from the Global South and the only representative from Africa—further amplifying its reach.
“When we place the human at the centre of our research, using physical activity to promote health, wellbeing, and quality of life, we create research that is inclusive and excellent,” says Albertus.
For rehabilitation professionals worldwide, HPALS represents a model of innovation: bridging advanced technologies with patient-centred care, building evidence that informs practice, and showing how world-class rehabilitation science can be led from Africa.
.png "Gaza Fund (1)")
