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Dr. Matthieu Boisgontier is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa in the Faculty of Health Sciences, a Senior Researcher at Institut du Savoir Montfort, and a Senior Investigator at Bruyère Health Research Institute. He is also a physical therapist, a kinesiologist, and a certified medical imaging technologist. He received his PhD from Université Grenoble Alpes in France in 2012. His research program blends neuroscience, health, and psychology to improve understanding physical inactivity and sensorimotor control. He has been supported by NSERC, CFI, Banting Research Foundation, MITACS, and FWO. Dr Boisgontier has served on 10+ editorial boards, including Communications in Kinesiology and Peer Community In (PCI) Health & Movement Sciences. His scientific work has been featured in over 50 countries and 500 media outlets (e.g., The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail).

Publications

Book

  • Cheval B, Boisgontier M (2026). Le syndrome du paresseux: Comment combattre notre inactivité physique. Ed. Dunod Poche. ISBN: 978-2-10-088753-8
    - "Un livre accessible et réjouissant" - Le Monde
    - "Documenté, concret, écrit d'une plume limpide et enjouée, leur ouvrage est la lecture idéale pour s'y (re)mettre" - Cerveau & Psycho

  • Cheval B, Boisgontier M (2020). Le syndrome du paresseux: Petit précis pour combattre notre inactivité physique. Ed. Dunod. ISBN: 210080197X

Physical Effort Scale (PES)

  • Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Courvoisier DS, Marcora S, Boisgontier MP. Physical Effort Scale (PES) – Manual, 2024 - (English and French versions).

Articles

  • 110- Jabouille F, Farajzadeh A, Guillemot Exertier A, Martine J, Sadek N, Huet Klinger L, Iliut CM, Kapsa V, Boisgontier MP.
    Replicability and transparency in physical therapy research: time to wake up.
    MedRxiv 2025
  • 109- Butler LA, Boisgontier MP.
    Rethinking where and how we publish in health sciences.
    European Rehabilitation Journal 2025
  • 108- Kohrs FE, Kazezian V, Bagley RK, Boisgontier MP, ... , Weissgerber TL.
    Collaborating with early career researchers to enhance the future of scholarly publication: A guide for publishers.
    Learned Publishing 2025 doi: 10.1002/leap.2028
  • 107- Goubran M, van Allen ZM, Bilodeau M, Boisgontier MP.
    Depressive symptoms and physical activity mediate the adverse effect of pain on functional independence in patients with arthritis: Evidence from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
    Physical Therapy 2025 doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaf120
  • 106- Boisgontier MP.
    Evolution of attitudes toward people with disabilities among health care practitioners and other workers, 2006-2024.
    Physiotherapy Canada 2025 doi: 10.3138/ptc-2025-0026
  • 105- Goubran M, Zammar C, Tellez Alvarez S, Héran E, Proulx S, Bilodeau M, Boisgontier MP.
    Approach-avoidance tendencies influence the relationship between fear of movement and physical activity in osteoarthritis.
    Physiotherapy Canada 2025 doi: 10.3138/ptc-2025-0011
  • 104- Farajzadeh A, Hébert A, Lahart IM, Bilodeau M, Boisgontier MP.
    Apathy and physical activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Physiotherapy Canada 2025 doi: 10.3138/ptc-2024-0050
  • 103- van Allen ZM, Boisgontier MP.
    Prospective classification of functional dependence: Insights from machine learning and 39,927 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
    Physiothearpy Canada 2025 doi: 10.3138/ptc-2024-0136
  • 102- Boisgontier MP.
    Implicit and explicit attitudes toward people with physical disabilities among clinicians, rehabilitation assistants, and other occupations: A comparative study.
    European Rehabilitation Journal 2025, 5(1):1-15. doi: 10.52057/erj.v5i1.75
  • 101- Goubran M, Farajzadeh A, Lahart IM, Bilodeau M, Boisgontier MP.
    Relationship between fear of movement and physical activity in patients with cardiac, rheumatologic, neurologic, pulmonary, or pain conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Physical Therapy 2025, 105(6):pzaf050. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaf050
  • 100- Park K, Boisgontier MP.
    A novel robotic reaching task to advance the assessment of approach-avoidance tendencies through kinematic analysis.
    Peer Community Journal 2025, 5:e25. doi: 10.24072/pcjournal.530
  • 99- Cheval B, Ceravolo L, Zimmermann O, Igloi K, Sander D, van Ruitenbeek P, Boisgontier MP.
    Neural correlates of approach-avoidance tendencies toward physical activity and sedentary stimuli: an MRI study.
    Imaging Neuroscience 2025, 3:a28. doi: 10.1162/IMAG.a.28
  • 98- St Denis B, Beaudry S, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B, Maltagliati S.
    Validation de la version francophone de l’échelle d’effort physique.
    Movement & Sport Sciences / Science & Motricité 2024, 126:33-45. doi: 10.1051/sm/2024019
  • 97- Farajzadeh A, Jabouille F, Benoit N, Bezeau O, Bourgie T, Gerro B, Ouimet J, Boisgontier MP.
    Apathy, intentions, explicit attitudes, and approach-avoidance tendencies in physical activity behavior.
    Communications in Kinesiology 2024, 1(6):1-20. doi: 10.51224/cik.2024.68
  • 96- van Allen ZM, Orsholits D, Boisgontier MP.
    Prestroke physical activity matters for functional limitations: a longitudinal case-control study of 12,860 participants.
    Physical Therapy 2024, 104(10):pzae094. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzae094
  • 95- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Courvoisier DS, Marcora S, Boisgontier MP.
    Development and validation of the physical effort scale (PES).
    Psychology of Sport & Exercise 2024, 72:102607. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102607
  • 94- Cheval B, Boisgontier MP.
    Promouvoir une activité physique régulière chez les patients : L’importance de la perception de l’effort.
    STAPS 2024, 146:115-134. doi: 10.3917/sta.146.0115
  • 93- Farajzadeh A, Goubran M, Fessler L, Cheval B, Van Allen Z, Boisgontier MP.
    Training older adults to inhibit the automatic attraction to sedentary stimuli: A cognitive-bias-modification protocol.
    European Rehabilitation Journal 2023, 3(1):1-9. doi: 10.52057/erj.v3i1.32
  • 92- Parma JO, Bacelar MFB, Cabral DAR, Recker RS, Orsholits D, Renaud O, Sander D, Krigolson OE, Miller MW, Cheval B, Boisgontier MP.
    Relationship between reward-related brain activity and opportunities to sit.
    Cortex 2023, 167:197-217. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.011
  • 91- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Saoudi I, Fessler L, Farajzadeh A, Sieber S, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Physical activity mediates the effect of education on mental health trajectories in older age.
    Journal of Affective Disorders 2023, 336:64-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.052
  • 90- Farajzadeh A, Goubran M, Beehler A, Cherkaoui N, Morrison, de Chanaleilles M, Maltagliati S, Cheval B, Miller MW, Sheehy L, Bilodeau M, Orsholits D, Boisgontier MP.
    Automatic approach-avoidance tendency toward physical activity, sedentary, and neutral stimuli as a function of age, explicit affective attitude, and intention to be active.
    Peer Community Journal 2023, 3:e21. doi: 10.24072/pcjournal.246
  • 89- Cheval B, Saoudi I, Maltagliati S, Fessler L, Farajzadeh A, Sieber S, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Initial status and change in cognitive function mediate the association between academic education and physical activity in adults over 50 years of age.
    Psychology and Aging 2023, 38(6):494–507. doi: 10.1037/pag0000749
  • 88- Cheval B, Darrous L, Choi K, Klimentidis Y, Raichlen D, Alexander G, Cullati S, Kutalik Z, Boisgontier MP.
    Genetic insights into the causal relationship between physical activity and cognitive functioning.
    Scientific Reports 2023, 13:5310. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-32150-1
  • 87- Boisgontier MP.
    Research integrity requires to be aware of good and questionable research practices.
    European Rehabilitation Journal 2022, 2(1):1-3. doi: 10.52057/erj.v2i1.24
  • 86- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Fessler F, Farajzadeh A, Ben Abdallah SN, Vogt F, Dubessy M, Lacour M, Miller MW, D Sander, Boisgontier MP.
    Physical effort biases the perceived pleasantness of neutral faces: A virtual reality study.
    Psychology of Sport & Exercise 2022, 63:102287. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102287
  • 85- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Sieber S, Cullati S, Sander D, Boisgontier MP.
    Physical inactivity amplifies the negative association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms.
    Preventive Medicine 2022, 164:107233. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107233
  • 84- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Sieber S, Cullati S, Zou L, Ihle A, Kramer AF, Yu Q, Sander D, Boisgontier MP.
    Better subjective sleep quality partly explains the association between self-reported physical activity and better cognitive function.
    Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2022, 87(2):919-931. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215484
  • 83- Forestier C, De Chanaleilles M, Boisgontier MP, Chalabaev A.
    From ego depletion to self-control fatigue: A review of criticisms along with new perspectives for the investigation and replication of a multicomponent phenomenon.
    Motivation Science 2022, 8(1):19–32. doi: 10.1037/mot0000262
  • 82- Wittenberg GF, Tian J, Kortzog N, Wyers L, Van Halewyck F, Boisgontier MP, Levin O, Swinnen SP, Jonkers I.
    Normal aging affects unconstrained three-dimensional reaching against gravity with reduced vertical precision and increased co-contraction: a pilot study.
    Experimental Brain Research 2022, 240:1029-1044. doi: 10.1007/s00221-021-06280-9
  • 81- Cheval B, Boisgontier MP, Sieber S, Ihle A, Orsholits D, Forestier C, Sander D, Chalabaev A.
    Cognitive functions and physical activity in aging when energy is lacking.
    European Journal of Ageing 2022, 19:533–544. doi: 10.1007/s10433-021-00654-2
  • 80- Chalabaev A, Sarrazin P, Sieber S, Sander D, Cullati S, Maltagliati S, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    Early-life socioeconomic circumstances and physical activity in older age: women pay the price .
    Psychological Science 2022, 33(2):212-223. doi: 10.1177/09567976211036061
  • 79- Maltagliati S, Sarrazin P, Isoard-Gautheur S, Rhodes RE, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    I sit but I don’t know why: investigating the multiple precursors of leisure-time sedentary behaviors.
    Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 2022, 93(3):548-563. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2021.1877246
  • 78- Cheval B, Boisgontier MP.
    The theory of effort minimization in physical activity.
    Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 2021, 49(3):168-178. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000252
  • 77- Cheval B, Sieber S, Maltagliati S, Millet GP, Formánek T, Chalabaev A, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Muscle strength is associated with COVID-19 hospitalization in adults 50 years of age and older.
    Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2021, 12:1136-1143. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12738
  • 76- Cheval B, Maltagliati S, Sieber S, Beran D, Chalabaev A, Sander D, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Why are individuals with diabetes less active? The mediating role of physical, emotional, and cognitive factors.
    Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2021, 55(9):904–917. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaaa120
  • 75- Cheval B, Sivaramakrishnan H, Maltagliati S, Flesser L, Forestier C, Sarrazin P, Orsholits D, Chalabaev A, Sander D, Ntoumanis N, Boisgontier MP.
    Relationships between changes in self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviours and health during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in France and Switzerland.
    Journal of Sports Sciences 2021, 39:699-704. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2020.1841396
  • 74- Cheval B, Csajbók Z, Formánek T, Sieber S, Boisgontier MP, Cullati S, Cermakova P.
    Association between physical-activity trajectories and cognitive decline in adults 50 years of age or older.
    Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 2021, 30, e79. doi: 10.1017/S2045796021000688
  • 73- Maltagliati S, Sieber S, Sarrazin P, Cullati S, Chalabaev A, Millet GP, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    Muscle strength explains the protective effect of physical activity against COVID-19 hospitalization among adults aged 50 years and older.
    Journal of Sports Sciences 2021, 39(24):2796-2803. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2021.1964721
  • 72- Urbin MA, Tian J, Lafe C, McKernan GP, Kortzog N, Wyers L, Van Halewyck F, Boisgontier MP, Levin O, Swinnen SP, Jonkers I, Wittenberg GF.
    Perturbation of cortical activity elicits regional and age‑dependent effects on unconstrained reaching behavior: a pilot study.
    Experimental Brain Research 2021, 239(12):3585-3600. doi: 10.1007/s00221-021-06228-z
  • 71- Cheval B, Cabral D, Daou M, Bacelar MFB, Parma J, Forestier C, Orsholits D, Maltagliati S, Sander D, Boisgontier MP, Miller MW.
    Inhibitory control elicited by physical activity and inactivity stimuli: an EEG study.
    Motivation Science 2021, 7(4), 386–399. doi: 10.1037/mot0000236
  • 70- Cheval B, Finckh A, Maltagliati S, Fessler F, Cullati C, Sander S, Friese M, Wiers RW, Boisgontier MP, Courvoisier D, Luthy C.
    A cognitive-bias modification intervention to improve physical activity in patients following a rehabilitation program: protocol for the randomized controlled IMPACT trial.
    BMJ Open 2021, 11:e053845. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053845
  • 69- Neva JL, Brown KE, Peters S, Feldman SJ, Mahendran N, Boisgontier MP, Boyd LA.
    Acute exercise modulates the excitability of specific interneurons in human motor cortex.
    Neuroscience 2021, 475:103-116. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.08.032
  • 68- Maltagliati S, Rebar A, Fessler L, Forestier C, Sarrazin P, Chalabaev A, Sander D, Sivaramakrishnan H, Orsholits D, Boisgontier MP, Ntoumanis N, Gardner B, Cheval B.
    Evolution of physical activity habits after a context change: the case of COVID-19 lockdown.
    British Journal of Health Psychology 2021, 26:1135-1154. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12524
  • 67- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B, Schmidt J.
    Daily life physical activity and concussion symptoms in adolescents.
    Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2020, 87:364-371. doi: 10.1177/0008417420953228
  • 66- Cheval B, Daou M, Cabral D, Bacelar MFB, Parma J, Forestier C, Orsholits D, Sander D, Boisgontier MP, Miller MW.
    Higher inhibitory control is required to escape the innate attraction to effort minimization.
    Psychology of Sport and Exercise 2020, 51:101768. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101781
  • 65- Boisgontier MP, Orsholits D, von Arx M, Sieber S, Miller MW, Courvoisier DS, Iversen MD, Cullati S, Cheval B.
    Adverse childhood experiences, depressive symptoms, functional dependence, and physical activity: A moderated mediation model.
    Journal of Physical Activity & Health 2020, 17:790–799. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0133
  • 64- Cheval B, Miller WM, Orsholits D, Berry T, Sander D, Boisgontier MP.
    Physically active individuals look for more: An eye tracking study of attentional bias.
    Psychophysiology 2020, 57:e13582. doi: 10.1111/psyp.13582
  • 63- Sieber S, Cheval B, Orsholits D, van der Linden BMA, Guessous I, Gabriel R, Kliegel M, von Arx M, Kelly-Irving M, Aartsen M, Boisgontier MP, Courvoisier D, Burton-Jeangros C, Cullati S.
    Do welfare regimes moderate cumulative dis/advantage over the life course? Cross-national evidence from longitudinal SHARE data.
    The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences 2020, 75:1312–1325. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa036
  • 62- Cheval B, Orsholits D, Sieber S, Courvoisier DS, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Relationship between decline in cognitive resources and physical activity.
    Health Psychology 2020, 39:519-528. doi: 10.1037/hea0000857
  • 61- Boisgontier MP, Iversen MD.
    Physical inactivity: A behavioral disorder in the physical therapist’s scope of practice.
    Physical Therapy 2020, 100:743-746. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa011
  • 60- Caldwell AR, Vigotsky AD, Tenan MS, Radel R, Mellor DT, Kreutzer A, Lahart IM, Mills JP, Boisgontier MP, Consortium for Transparency in Exercise Science (COTES) Collaborators.
    Moving sport and exercise science forward: A call for the adoption of more transparent research practices.
    Sports Medicine 2020, 50:449–459. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01227-1
  • 59- van der Linden BMA, Sieber S, Cheval B, Orsholits D, Guessous I, Gabriel R, von Arx M, Kelly-Irving M, Aartsen M, Blane D, Boisgontier MP, Courvoisier D, Oris M, Kliegel M, Cullati S.
    Life-course circumstances and frailty in old age within different European welfare regimes: A longitudinal study with SHARE.
    The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences 2020, 75:1326–1335. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbz140
  • 58- Cheval B, Rebar AL, Miller MW, Sieber S; Orsholits D, Baranyi G, Courvoisier DS, Cullati S, Sander D, Chalabaev A, Boisgontier MP.
    Cognitive resources moderate the adverse impact of poor perceived neighborhood conditions on self-reported physical activity of older adults.
    Preventive Medicine 2019, 126:105741. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.05.029
  • 57- Cheval B, Boisgontier MP, Bacelar MFB, Feiss R, Miller MW.
    Opportunities to sit and stand trigger equivalent reward-related brain activity.
    International Journal of Psychophysiology 2019, 141:9-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.04.009
  • 56- Cheval B, Orsholits D, Sieber S, Stringhini S, Courvoisier DS, Kliegel M, Boisgontier MP, Cullati S.
    Early-life socioeconomic circumstances explain health differences in old age, but not their evolution over time.
    Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2019, 73:703-711. doi: 10.1136/jech-2019-212110
  • 55- Neva JL, Ma JA, Orsholits D, Boisgontier MP, Boyd LA.
    The effects of acute exercise on visuomotor adaptation, learning, and inter-limb transfer.
    Experimental Brain Research 2019, 237:1109–1127. doi: 10.1007/s00221-019-05491-5
  • 54- Bolmont M, Bianchi-Demicheli F, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    The woman’s (not the man’s) body is used to evaluate sexual desire: An eye-tracking study of automatic visual attention.
    Journal of Sexual Medicine 2019, 16:195-202. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.12.003
  • 53- Sieber S, Cheval B, Orsholits D, Van der Linden BW, Guessous I, Gabriel R, Kliegel M, Aartsen MJ, Boisgontier MP, Courvoisier D, Burton-Jeangros C, Cullati S.
    Welfare regimes modify the association of disadvantaged adult-life socioeconomic circumstances with self-rated health in old age.
    International Journal of Epidemiology 2019, 48:1352–1366. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy283
  • 52- Cheval B, Chabert C, Sieber S, Orsholits D, Cooper R, Guessous I, Blane D, Kliegel M, Courvoisier DS, Kelly-Irving M, Boisgontier MP, Cullati S.
    The association between adverse childhood experiences and muscle strength in older age.
    Gerontology 2019, 65:474–484. doi: 10.1159/000494972
  • 51- Cheval B, Chabert C, Orsholits D, Sieber S, Guessous I, Blane D, Kliegel M, Janssens JP, Burton-Jeangros C, Pison C, Courvoisier DS, Boisgontier MP, Cullati S.
    Disadvantaged early-life socioeconomic circumstances are associated with low respiratory function in older age.
    The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences. 2019, 74:1134–1140. doi: 10.1093/gerona/gly177
  • 50- Landös A, von Arx M, Cheval B, Sieber S, Kliegel M, Gabriel R, Orsholits D, van der Linden BWA, Blane D, Boisgontier MP, Courvoisier DS, Guessous I, Burton-Jeangros C, Cullati S.
    Childhood socioeconomic circumstances and disability trajectories in older men and women: A European cohort study.
    European Journal of Public Health 2019, 29:50–58. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cky166
  • 49- von Arx M, Cheval B, Sieber S, Orsholits D, Widmer E, Kliegel M, Guessous I, Kelly-Irving M, Courvoisier DS, Boisgontier MP, Cullati S.
    The role of adult socioeconomic and relational reserves regarding the effect of childhood misfortune on late-life depressive symptoms.
    SSM - Population Health 2019, 8:100434. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100434
  • 48- Cheval B, Tipura E, Burra N, Chanal J, Orsholits D, Radel R, Boisgontier MP.
    Avoiding sedentary behaviors requires more cortical resources than avoiding physical activity: An EEG study.
    Neuropsychologia 2018, 119:68-80. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.07.029
  • 47- Cheval B, Radel R, Neva JL, Boyd LA, Swinnen SP, Sander D, Boisgontier MP.
    Behavioral and neural evidence of the rewarding value of exercise behaviors: A systematic review.
    Sports Medicine 2018, 48:1389-1404. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0898-0
  • 46- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B, van Ruitenbeek P, Cuypers K, Leunissen I, Sunaert S, Meesen R, Zivari Adab H, Renaud O, Swinnen SP.
    Cerebellar grey matter explains bimanual coordination performance in children and older adults.
    Neurobiology of Aging 2018, 65:109-120. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.01.016
  • 45- Bonifazi P, Erramuzpe A, Diez I, Gabilondo I, Boisgontier MP, Pauwels L, Stramaglia S, Swinnen SP, Cortes J.
    Structure-function multi-scale connectomics reveals a major role of the fronto-striato-thalamic circuit in brain aging.
    Human Brain Mapping 2018, 39:4663-4677. doi: 10.1002/hbm.24312
  • 44- Zivari Adab H, Chalavi S, Beets IAM, Gooijers J, Leunissen I, Cheval B, Collier Q, Sijbers J, Jeurissen B, Swinnen SP, Boisgontier MP.
    White matter microstructural organization of interhemispheric pathways predicts different stages of bimanual coordination learning in young and older adults.
    European Journal of Neuroscience 2018, 47:446–459. doi: 10.1111/ejn.13841
  • 43- Cheval B, Sieber S, Guessous I, Orsholits D, Courvoisier DS, Kliegel M, Stringhini S, Swinnen SP, Burton-Jeangros C, Cullati S, Boisgontier MP.
    Effect of early- and adult-life socioeconomic circumstances on physical inactivity.
    Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2018, 50:476-485. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001472
  • 42- Lavrysen A, Levin O, Boisgontier MP, Elliott D, Helsen WF.
    Effects of wrist tendon vibration and eye movements on manual aiming.
    Experimental Brain Research 2018, 236:847-857. doi: 10.1007/s00221-018-5180-z
  • 41- Corporaal SHA, Bruijn S, Hoogkamer W, Chalavi S, Boisgontier MP, Duysens J, Swinnen SP, Gooijers J.
    Different neural substrates for precision stepping and fast online step adjustments in youth.
    Brain Structure & Function 2018, 223:2039–2053. doi: 10.1007/s00429-017-1586-9
  • 40- Cheval B, Boisgontier MP, Orsholits D , Sieber S, Guessous I, Gabriel R, Stringhini S, Blane D, van der Linden BWA, Kliegel M, Burton-Jeangros C, Courvoisier DS, Cullati S.
    Association of early- and adult-life socioeconomic circumstances with muscle strength in older age.
    Age & Ageing 2018, 47:398-407. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy003
  • 39- Chalavi S, Zivari Adab H, Pauwels L, Beets IAM, van Ruitenbeek P, Boisgontier MP, Santos Monteiro T, Maes C, Sunaert S, Swinnen SP.
    Anatomy of subcortical structures predicts age-related differences in skill acquisition.
    Cerebral Cortex 2018, 28:459–473. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhw382
  • 38- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B, Chalavi S, van Ruitenbeek P, Leunissen I, Levin O, Nieuwboer A, Swinnen SP.
    Individual differences in brainstem and basal ganglia structure predict postural control and loss of balance in young and older adults.
    Neurobiology of Aging 2017, 50:47–59. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.10.024
  • 37- Maes C, Gooijers J, Orban de Xivry JJ, Swinnen SP, Boisgontier MP.
    Two hands, one brain, and aging.
    Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2017, 75:234–256. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.052
  • 36- Corporaal SHA, Gooijers J, Chalavi S, Cheval B, Swinnen SP, Boisgontier MP.
    Neural predictors of motor control and impact of visuo-proprioceptive information in youth.
    Human Brain Mapping 2017, 38:5628–5647. doi: 10.1002/hbm.23754
  • 35- Santos Monteiro T, Beets IAM, Boisgontier MP, Gooijers J, Pauwels L, Chalavi S, King B, Albouy G, Swinnen SP.
    Relative cortico-subcortical shift in brain activity but preserved training-induced neural modulation in older adults during bimanual motor learning.
    Neurobiology of Aging 2017, 58:54–67. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.06.004
  • 34- Cheval B, Sarrazin PG, Boisgontier MP, Radel R.
    Temptations toward behaviors minimizing energetic costs (BMEC) automatically activate physical activity goals in successful exercisers.
    Psychology of Sport and Exercise 2017, 30:110–117. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.02.006
  • 33- Boisgontier MP, Serbruyns L, Swinnen SP.
    Physical activity predicts performance in an unpracticed bimanual coordination task.
    Frontiers in Psychology 2017, 8:249. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00249
  • 32- Boisgontier MP, van Ruitenbeek P, Leunissen I, Chalavi S, Sunaert S, Levin O, Swinnen SP.
    Nucleus accumbens and caudate atrophy predicts longer action selection times in young and old adults.
    Human Brain Mapping 2016, 37:4629–4639. doi: 10.1002/hbm.23333
  • 31- Helsen WF, Van Halewyck F, Levin O, Boisgontier MP, Lavrysen A, Elliott D.
    Manual aiming in healthy aging: Does proprioception acuity make the difference?.
    Age 2016, 2325.0. doi: 10.1007/s11357-016-9908-z
  • 30- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    The anova to mixed model transition.
    Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2016, 68:1004–1005. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.034
  • 29- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B, van Ruitenbeek P, Levin O, Renaud O, Chanal J, Swinnen SP.
    Whole-brain grey matter density predicts balance stability irrespective of age and protects older adults from falling.
    Gait & Posture 2016, 45:143-150. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.01.019
  • 28- Boisgontier MP, Swinnen SP.
    Age-related deficit in a bimanual joint position matching task is amplitude dependent.
    Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2015, 7:162. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00162
  • 27- Boisgontier MP.
    Motor aging results from cerebellar neuron death.
    Trends in Neurosciences 2015, 38:127–128. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2015.01.003
  • 26- Van Halewyck F, Lavrysen A, Levin O, Boisgontier MP, Elliott D, Helsen WF.
    Factors underlying age-related changes in discrete aiming.
    Experimental Brain Research 2015, 233:1733–1744. doi: 10.1007/s00221-015-4247-3
  • 25- Beets IAM, Gooijers J, Boisgontier MP, Pauwels L, Coxon JP, Wittenberg G, Swinnen SP.
    Reduced neural differentiation between feedback conditions after training bimanual coordination with and without augmented visual feedback.
    Cerebral Cortex 2015, 25:1958–1969. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhu005
  • 24- Moineau B, Boisgontier MP, Gailledrat E, De Angelis M-P, Olivier I, Palluel E, Pérennou D, Nougier V.
    Is standing postural control more impaired in hip-disarticulated patients compared to transfemoral amputees? A pilot study.
    Annals of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 2015, 58:354–356. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2015.10.001
  • 23- Boisgontier MP.
    Commentary: Cerebellar direct current stimulation enhances on-line motor skill acquisition through an effect on accuracy.
    Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2015, 9:578. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00578
  • 22- Boisgontier MP, Swinnen SP.
    Proprioception in the cerebellum.
    Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014, 8:212. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00212
  • 21- Levin O, Fujiyama H, Boisgontier MP, Swinnen SP, Summers JJ.
    Aging and motor inhibition: A converging perspective provided by brain stimulation and imaging approaches.
    Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2014, 43:100–117. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.04.001
  • 20- Van Halewyck F, Lavrysen A, Levin O, Boisgontier MP, Elliott D, Helsen WF.
    Both age and physical activity level impact on eye-hand coordination.
    Human Movement Science 2014, 36C:80–96. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2014.05.005
  • 19- Moineau B, Boisgontier MP, Barbieri G, Nougier V.
    A new method to assess temporal features of gait initiation with a single force plate.
    Gait & Posture 2014, 39:631–633. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.07.007
  • 18- Théveniau N, Boisgontier MP, Varieras S, Olivier I.
    The effects of clothes on independent walking in toddlers.
    Gait & Posture 2014, 39:659–661. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.08.031
  • 17- Boisgontier MP, Wittenberg G, Fujiyama H, Levin O, Swinnen SP.
    Complexity of central processing in simple and choice multilimb reaction-time tasks.
    PLoS One 2014, 9:e90457. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090457
  • 16- Boisgontier MP, Van Halewyck F, Corporaal SHA, Willacker L, Van den Bergh V, Beets IAM, Levin O, Swinnen SP.
    Vision of the active limb impairs bimanual motor tracking in young and older adults.
    Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2014, 6:320. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00320
  • 15- Moineau B, Boisgontier MP.
    Superimposed electrical stimulation improves mobility of pre-stiff thumbs after ulnar collateral ligament injury of the metacarpophalangeal joint: a randomized study.
    Annals of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine 2014, 57:373-380. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2014.04.004
  • 14- Boisgontier MP, Beets IAM, Duysens J, Nieuwboer A, Krampe RT, Swinnen SP.
    Age-related differences in attentional cost associated with postural dual tasks: Increased recruitment of generic cognitive resources in older adults.
    Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 2013, 37:1824–1837. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.07.014
  • 13- Boisgontier MP, Nougier V.
    Proprioception: Bilateral inputs first.
    Neuroscience Letters 2013, 534:96–100. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.11.050
  • 12- Boisgontier MP, Nougier V.
    Ageing of internal models: From a continuous to an intermittent proprioceptive control of movement.
    Age 2013, 35:1339–1355. doi: 10.1007/s11357-012-9436-4
  • 11-Boisgontier MP, Olivier I, Chenu O, Nougier V.
    Presbypropria: The effects of physiological ageing on proprioceptive control.
    Age 2012, 34:1179–1194. doi: 10.1007/s11357-011-9300-y
  • 10- Boisgontier MP, Moineau B, Nougier V.
    Superimposed electrical stimulation comfortably improves the endurance of maximal voluntary contractions.
    Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness 2012, 52:558-562.
  • 9- Boisgontier M, Mignardot JB, Nougier V, Olivier I, Palluel E.
    Attentional cost of the executive functions involved in postural control.
    Science & Motricite 2011, 74:53–64. doi: 10.1051/sm/2011106
  • 8- Vuillerme N, Boisgontier M.
    Changes in the relative contribution of each leg to the control of quiet two-legged stance following unilateral plantar-flexor muscles fatigue.
    European Journal of Applied Physiology 2010, 24:192–195. doi: 10.1007/s00421-010-1449-z
  • 7- Boisgontier M, Vuillerme N, Iversen MD.
    Superimposed electrical stimulation decreases maximal grip force.
    Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness 2010, 50:152-158.
  • 6- Vuillerme N, Boisgontier M.
    Effectiveness of a tongue-placed electrotactile biofeedback to improve ankle force sense following plantar-flexor muscles fatigue.
    Gait & Posture 2009, 30:556–559. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.07.124
  • 5- Boisgontier M, Vuillerme N, Thomas D, Pinsault N, Emprin M, Caillat-Miousse JL.
    Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the range of motion recovery in hand proximal interphalangeal sprain.
    Science & Sports 2009, 24:192–195. doi: 10.1016/j.scispo.2008.09.001
  • 4- Vuillerme N, Boisgontier M.
    Muscle fatigue degrades force sense at the ankle joint.
    Gait & Posture 2008, 28:521-524. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.03.005
  • 3- Vuillerme N, Boisgontier M, Chenu O, Demongeot J, Payan Y.
    Tongue-placed tactile biofeedback suppresses the deleterious effects of muscle fatigue on joint position sense at the ankle.
    Experimental Brain Research 2007, 183:235–240. doi: 10.1007/s00221-007-1039-4
  • 2- Vuillerme N, Pinsault N, Chenu O, Boisgontier M, Demongeot J, Payan Y.
    How a plantar pressure-based, tongue-placed tactile biofeedback modifies postural control mechanisms during quiet standing.
    Experimental Brain Research 2007, 181:547-554. doi: 10.1007/s00221-007-0953-9
  • 1- Vuillerme N, Chenu O, Pinsault N, Boisgontier M, Demongeot J, Payan Y.
    Inter-individual variability in sensory weighting of a plantar pressure-based, tongue-placed tactile biofeedback for controlling posture.
    Neuroscience Letters 2007, 421:173-177. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.03.076

Preprints

  • Cheval B, Boisgontier MP.
    Minimisation de l’effort et autorégulation de l’activité physique.
    OSF Preprints 2021, 1-6.
  • Fessler L, Sarrazin P, Smeding A, Maltagliati S, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B.
    All’s well that ends well: an early-phase study testing lower end-session exercise intensity to promote physical activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
    OSF Preprints 2021

Acknowledged Contributions

  • 5- Derosiere G, Vassiliadis P, Dricot L, Dessain Q, Delinte N, Zénon A, Duque J.
    Fronto-motor circuits linked to subclinical apathy.
    BioRxiv 2024 doi: 10.1101/2024.10.07.616861
  • 4- Faure H, Galbiati C.
    Comprendre l’ergothérapie auprès des enfants.
    Association Nationale Française des Ergothérapeutes. 2019
  • 3- Molle L, Benoit CE.
    The respiratory modulation of memory.
    Journal of Neuroscience 2019, 39:5836-5838. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0224-19.2019
  • 2- Vandevoorde K, Orban de Xivry JJ.
    Internal model recalibration does not deteriorate with age while motor adaptation does.
    Neurobiology of Aging 2019, 80:138-153. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.03.020
  • 1- Audrin C, Brosch T, Chanal J, Sander S.
    When symbolism overtakes quality: Materialists consumers disregard product quality when faced with luxury brands.
    Journal of Economic Psychology 2017, 61:115-123. doi: 10.1016/j.joep.2017.04.001

Theses

Education & Positions


    2020-present
    Professor, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences, Canada
    2024-present
    Senior Investigator, Bruyère Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    2020-2024
    Investigator, Bruyère Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    2019-2020
    Grants Coordinator, Canada Talents, Canada
    Canada Talents is a non-profit organization fostering and facilitating the cultural integration of French-speaking immigrants into the Canadian professional community.

    2019
    Habilitation (HDR), Université Grenoble Alpes, France
    The French Habilitation requires consistent research from 4 to 10 years after appointment as an Assistant Professor (Maître de Conférences), a substantial amount of significant publications, the supervision of at least one PhD student from start to graduation, a successful track record securing extramural funding as a principal investigator, and a 5-year research plan. Postdoctoral researchers who are not yet appointed to a university can obtain the Habilitation if they meet the requirements. The Habilitation committee is constituted by a majority of external referees. Assistant Professors (Maîtres de Conférences) with an Habilitation can apply for Full Professor positions (Professeur des Universités). Therefore, the Habilitation is similar to the promotion to Associate Professor in North America.

    2017-2019
    Honorary Researcher, National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES – Overcoming vulnerability: Life course perspectives (NCCR LIVES), Geneva, Switzerland
    Head of the group: Stéphane Cullati

    2017-2018
    Honorary Researcher, University of British Columbia, Canada

    2012-2018
    Researcher, KU Leuven, Belgium
    Movement Control and Neuroplasticity research group
    Head of the group: Stephan P. Swinnen

    2011-2012
    Adjunct Professor, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, France
    Department of Sport Sciences

    2007-2012
    PhD, University Grenoble Alpes, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), France
    Health, Plasticity, Motricity team
    Supervisor: Vincent Nougier

    2008-2009
    Certificate of Advanced Study in Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
    Institute of Health Professions
    Supervisor: Maura D. Iversen

    2006-2007
    Master's degree in Movement, Performance, Health, & Engineering, University Grenoble Alpes, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), France
    Computer Assisted Medical Interventions team
    Supervisors: Nicolas Vuillerme, Yohan Payan

    2005-2006
    Master's degree in Physical Therapy, University Grenoble Alpes, France

    2003-2005
    Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy, IFMK Assas & University Grenoble Alpes, France

    2002-2003
    Master's degree in Kinesiology, University Grenoble Alpes, France

    1997-2002
    Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, University Grenoble Alpes, France

Grants & Awards

    2023–2026
    1,000,000 CAD, John Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)
    Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canada
    Principal Investigator

    2021–2028
    180,500 CAD, Discovery Grant
    Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada
    Principal Investigator

    2021–2023
    25,000 CAD, Discovery Award
    Banting Research Foundation, Canada
    Principal Investigator

    2018–2020
    40,000 EUR, Research Grant
    Scientific Fund for Research – Flanders (FWO), Belgium
    Principal Investigator

    2015–2018
    40,000 EUR, Research Grant
    Scientific Fund for Research – Flanders (FWO), Belgium
    Principal Investigator

Media

Knowledge Translation

16- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B. Is exercise really good for the brain? Here’s what the science says. The Conversation - Canada. 2023.
15- Boisgontier MP, Cheval B. Un esprit sain dans un corps sain ? Voici ce qu’en dit la science. La Conversation - Canada. 2023.
14- Igloi K, Boisgontier MP, Cheval B. Activité physique, fonctionnement cognitif et performances scolaires : niveau de preuve et grade de recommandation. Conseil Scientifique de l'Education Nationale (CSEN). 2022.
13- Boisgontier M, Cullati S, Cheval B. Physical activity protects functional independence after age 50. The SHARE Blog. 2020.
12- Boisgontier M. Qu'est-ce que l'Open Science? Webinaire pour l'Associations des Chercheurs en Activités Physiques et Sportives (ACAPS). 2020.
11- Cheval B, Boisgontier M. Par ici, les enfers.Sport & Vie. 2020.
10- Cheval B, Boisgontier M. Le syndrome du paresseux (book). Dunod. 2020.
9- Boisgontier MP. Les Registered Reports au secours de la science. Blog de l’Association des Chercheurs en Activités Physiques et Sportives. 2020.
8- Cheval B, Boisgontier M, Sarrazin P. We are programmed to be lazy. The Conversation - United Kingdom. 2019.
7- Cheval B, Boisgontier M, Sarrazin P. Estamos programados para la pereza. The Conversation - España. 2019.
6- Finoulst M, Vankrunkelsven P, Cheval B, Boisgontier M. Is luiheid een vorm van efficiëntie? Tijdschr. voor Geneeskunde. 2019.
5- Cheval B, Boisgontier M, Cullati S. Early-live socioeconomic circumstances explain health differences in old age, but not their evolution over ageing. The SHARE Blog. 2019.
4- Boisgontier M, Cheval B. Enquête aux sources de la paresse. Sport & Vie. 2019.
3- Cheval B, Boisgontier M, Sarrazin P. Nous sommes programmés pour la paresse. The Conversation - France. 2019.
2- Boisgontier M, Cheval B. Are we lazy, or just being efficient? WellSpring. 2019.
1- Cheval B, Boisgontier M. Tous paresseux? Cerveau & Psycho. 2019.

Contributions to the Community

Contributions to nonprofit organizations

Founder, Representative, & Manager: Peer Community In (PCI) Health & Movement Sciences (2022)
Co-chair: Society for Transparency, Openness, and Replication in Kinesiology (STORK; 2019)

Editorial Contributions

Editor in Chief: Peer Community In (PCI) Health & Movement Sciences (2022-present)
Editor in Chief: Communications in Kinesiology (2022-present)
Associate Editor: European Rehabilitation Journal (2021-present)
Associate Editor: Advances in Cognitive Psychology (2019-2024)
Section Editor: Communications in Kinesiology (2019-2021)
Steering Board Member: SportRxiv (2018-2019)

Project peer-reviews

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canada
Mitacs Accelerate, Canada
Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQ-S), Canada
Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Nature et Technologies (FRQ-NT), Canada
Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium
National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS), Belgium
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), European Commission
United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), USA

Article peer-reviews (n > 230)

Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (1); Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism (1); Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1); BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (1); BMJ Open (2); Brain and Cognition (1); Brain Research (1); Clinical Interventions in Aging (3); Clinical Neurophysiology (2); Cognition & Emotion (2); European Journal of Applied Physiology (2); European Journal of Neuroscience (7); European Journal of Public Health (6); European Rehabilitation Journal (2); European Review of Aging and Physical Activity (2); Experimental Aging Research (1); Experimental Brain Research (17); Experimental Gerontology (4); Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (10); Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (1); Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (1); Frontiers in Neurology (1); Frontiers in Psychology (3); Gait & Posture (14); Gerontology (1); GeroScience (1); Health & Place (2); Human Brain Mapping (6); IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (2); International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2); International Journal of Neuroscience (1); International Journal of Nursing Practice (1); International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (1); International Journal of Sports Medicine (11); Journal of Applied Physiology (1); Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance (2); Journal of Motor Behavior (6); Journal of Motor Learning & Development (2); Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2); Journal of Neurophysiology (25); Journal of Neuroscience Methods (5); Journal of Physical Activity and Health (2); Journal of Physiology (2); Journal of Sport Rehabilitation (3); Journal of Sports Sciences (7); Journals of Gerontology: Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences (1); Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (2); Knee (2); Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (1); Neurobiology of Aging (4); NeuroImage (2); Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (1); Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (1); Neuroscience Letters (3); Parkinson's Disease (1); Physical Therapy (7); Physiotherapy Canada (1); Physiotherapy Theory and Practice (1); PLoS One (11); Preventive Medicine (1); Psychology and Aging (1); Psychology of Sport and Exercise (4); Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (3); Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (5); Reviews in the Neurosciences (1); Royal Society Open Science (2); Scientific Reports (2); Sports Medicine (1).

Material & Infrastructure

Open Positions

PhD position
Je considère actuellement les candidatures pour un doctorat qui débuterait en septembre 2027.
Notre faculté en propose en français et en anglais.
Il y a la possibilité de faire le doctorat en présentiel (orienté neuroscience et perception de l'effort) ou en distanciel (orienté metascience et science ouverte ou sur des bases de données publiques telles que CLSA ou SHARE, mais il vous faudra des compétences de codage déjà acquises).
Pour des informations plus spécifiques sur le doctorat, vous pouvez aller ici.
Pour les financements du doctorat, il y a la bourse d'admission et la bourse doctorale internationale
En fonction de la qualité de votre CV, il y a aussi la possibilité de candidater à d'autres financements.
La date limite de la demande d'admission au doctorat est le 1er février mais si vous êtes un.e étudiant.e international.e, il faut qu'on s'y prenne avant.

Post-doctoral positions
Even if there is no postdoctoral positions advertised here, applications are always welcome and encouraged. We could apply for an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship together.

Contact

    matthieu.boisgontier@uottawa.ca