About LIBM

History, location and structure of the research unit

The Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (LIBM) was created in 2016, combining two research units : the Laboratory of Exercise Physiology at the University of Saint-Etienne and the University Savoie Mont Blanc with the Sport Research and Innovation Center at University Lyon 1.

The LIBM gathers 130 researchers, medical doctors, engineers, PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, technicians and administrative people on 3 sites:

• Savoie Mont Blanc University (Chambéry)
• Claude Bernard University  (Lyon)
• Jean Monnet University (Saint-Étienne)

The LIBM is internationally renowned for its work in exercise physiology, biomechanics, neurosciences and engineering applied to sport, physical activity and health. Our laboratory is also involved in clinical research conducted by its hospital members working in Sport Medicine, Myology, Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, PM&R, ICU and Cancerology in Lyon and Saint-Etienne university hospitals.

The LIBM:

• Leads multi-disciplinary research. In particular, there are strong links between Sport Sciences and Medicine
• Publishes 100 articles per year on average, half of them being in the 1st quartile of scientific journals and 10% having an impact factor greater than 6
• Holds various funding sources (international collaborations, French Research Agency, foundations and charities, industrial contracts, etc.).
• Has strong relationships with the social-economic and sports sectors (FFSki, FFAviron, FFEscalade, FFA, ASSE, OL, LOU Rugby, etc.)
• Is recognized by the Institut Universitaire de France (one Senior member and 4 Junior members)
• Leads numerous MSc programs
• Hosts a university chair       

BOARD

Co Directors / Site Directors

• Frédérique Hintzy (Chambéry)
• Christophe Hautier (Lyon)
• Thomas Lapole (Saint-Étienne)

STAFF

TEAMS

• Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cells
• Deconditioning reconditioning of muscle and Systemic environment 
• Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Physical Activity
• Physical Ability and Fatigue in Health and Disease
• Sport Performance and Injury Prevention
• Mental Processes, cerebral Plasticity and motor Performance

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD (SAB)

The SAB of LIBM is composed by French (Christophe CLANET, François CARRE, Charalambos PAPAXANTHIS) and international (Jørn Wulff HELGE, Jacques DUCHATEAU, Bert BLAAUW) experts. Its role is to help the laboratory to reinforce its international renown and to obtain a CNRS or INSERM label in 2026.