Lorenza Pratali

Papers

Total Citations

105

H-Index

About

Lorenza Pratali is a leading researcher in the intersection of biomechanics, motor control, and aging, with a primary focus on developing and validating robotic technologies to improve mobility and quality of life in older adults. Her work centers on understanding how age-related declines in sensorimotor and cognitive functions contribute to gait impairment and fall risk, and how targeted interventions can counteract these effects. Pratali’s most impactful contribution is her pioneering study on gait training using a robotic hip exoskeleton (Active Pelvis Orthosis), which demonstrated that such training can significantly improve metabolic gait efficiency in the elderly. This work, cited 97 times, has been instrumental in shifting the perception of exoskeletons from purely rehabilitation tools for neurological patients to promising aides for promoting active aging. Additionally, her integrated approach to motor activity in aging, though less cited, provides a foundational framework linking cognitive, sensory, and motor declines. Through her research, Pratali has advanced the practical application of wearable robotics, offering evidence-based pathways to enhance independence and reduce fall risk in aging populations.