Bettina Sommer

ZHAW School of Health Sciences
Institute of Physiotherapy
Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9
8400 Winterthur

+41 (0) 58 934 63 30
bettina.sommer@zhaw.ch

Work at ZHAW

Position

Research Associate Human Movement Lab

Network

ORCID digital identifier

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1231-2987

Projects

Publications

Articles in scientific journal, peer-reviewed

Schulthess, S., Graf, E., & Sommer, B. (2025). Does sensor-based gait assessment reflect self-perception of gait impairment in people with multiple sclerosis? : a cross-sectional study. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 104(106795). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2025.106795
Haas, M. C., Sommer, B. B., Moerman, F., van Rekum, S., & Graf, E. S. (2025). Open research data in human movement analysis : Swiss-initiated-guidelines for broader scientific communities. Data in Brief, 61(111884). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2025.111884
Feer, S., Sommer, B., Gut, V., Rausch, A.-K., Bodmer-Matter, M., Inauen Lehner, A., Schulze, C., Nordström, K., Ingold, C., & Wieber, F. (2025). Begegnungs- und Bewegungsförderung im Quartier. Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11553-025-01239-y
Nast, I., Scheermesser, M., Ernst, M., Sommer, B., Schmid, P. M., Weisenhorn, M., Bärtschi, E., Gomez, D., Iten, P., von Wartburg, A., Frey, W., Lünenburger, L., & Bauer, C. (2024). Usability of a visual feedback system to assess and improve movement disorders related to neck pain : perceptions of physical therapists and patients. Heliyon, 10(5), e26931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26931
Sommer, B., Haas, M., Karrer, S., Jörger, M., Graf, E., Huber, M., Baumgartner, D., Bansi, J., Kool, J., & Bauer, C. (2023). The effect on muscle activity of reaching beyond arm’s length on a mobile seat : a pilot study for trunk control training for people after stroke. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 5(4), 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100289
Haas, M., Sommer, B., Karrer, S., Jörger, M., Graf, E., Huber, M., Baumgartner, D., & Bauer, C. (2023). Hip and trunk kinematics during reaching on a mobile and stable seat. Plos One, 18(7), e0289115. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289115
Sommer, B., Pauli, C., McCaskey, M., Behrendt, F., Schuster-Amft, C., & Graf, E. (2022). Biomechanical comparison of walking with a new, wearable rehabilitation training device to Nordic walking and regular walking in people with chronic low back pain. Assistive Technology, 35(6), 477–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2022.2138634
Haas, M. C., Sommer, B. B., Karrer, S., Jörger, M., Graf, E. S., Huber, M., Baumgartner, D., Bansi, J., Kool, J., & Bauer, C. M. (2022). Surface electromyographic activity of trunk muscles during trunk control exercises for people after stroke; effect of a mobile and stable seat for rehabilitation. Plos One, 17(7), e0272382. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272382
Freitag, L., Hohenauer, E., Meichtry, A., Pauli, C., Sommer, B., & Graf, E. (2022). Effect of submaximal running in rocker shoes on gluteal muscle activation under different running conditions. Science & Sports, 38(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2021.12.003
Sommer, B., Hollenstein, A., & Graf, E. (2021). Stability boots for the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries : gait analysis of healthy participants. Gait & Posture, 91, 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.10.009
Schmid, P. M., Bauer, C., Ernst, M., Sommer, B., Lünenburger, L., & Weisenhorn, M. (2021). A two joint neck model to identify malposition of the head relative to the thorax. Sensors, 21(9), 3297. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21093297
Graf, E. S., Raaflaub, C., Hollenstein, A., & Sommer, B. (2021). Stability boots for the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries : how do they affect ankle biomechanics while walking? Footwear Science, 2021(13), 45–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2021.1917674
Ernst, M., Sommer, B., Meichtry, A., & Bauer, C. (2019). Intra-rater reliability of determining positions of cervical spinous processes and measuring their relative distances. BMC Research Notes, 12(265). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4299-8
Sommer, B. B., Weisenhorn, M., Ernst, M. J., Meichtry, A., Rast, F. M., Kleger, D., Schmid, P., Lünenburger, L., & Bauer, C. M. (2019). Concurrent validity and reliability of a mobile tracking technology to measure angular and linear movements of the neck. Journal of Biomechanics, 109340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109340

Written conference contributions, peer-reviewed

Haas, M. C., Sommer, B., van Rekum, S., Moerman, F., & Graf, E. S. (2024). Development of open science guidelines for movement laboratories. Annual Conference of the European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC), Oslo, Norway, 11-14 September 2024. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-31489
Nast, I., Niedermann, K., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch-Osthoff, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wieber, F., & Wirz, M. (2023, June). Exercise is medicine : Integration in das Schweizer Gesundheitssystem und internationale Best Practices. 2. Sports, Medicine and Health Summit (SMHS), Hamburg, Deutschland, 22.-24. Juni 2023.
Sommer, B., Weisenhorn, M., Ernst, M., Meichtry, A., Rast, F., Kleger, D., Schmid, P. M., Lünenburger, L., & Bauer, C. (2019). Concurrent validity and reliability of mobile Steam®VR tracking technology based sensors capturing neck movement [Conference poster]. Gait & Posture, 73, 317–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.07.323

Other publications

Schulthess, S., Graf, E., & Sommer, B. (2024, September 3). Which disease specific gait parameters best reflect self-perceived walking impairments of multiple sclerosis patients? 6th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 3 September 2024.
Sommer, B., Rausch, A.-K., Gut, V., & Feer, S. (2024, September 3). Analysing physical activity : the complementary benefits of sensor-based and observational instruments. 6th Digital Health Lab Day, Winterthur, Switzerland, 3 September 2024.
Sommer, B., Baumgartner, D., Kuster, R., Wenger, M., & Bauer, C. (2021). A new shoe sole technology that transfers the ground composition to the sole of the foot : a user experience evaluation. XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Online, 25-29 July 2021. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-24273
Nast, I., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch Osthoff, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wieber, F., Wirz, M., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2020). Bewegung als Therapie : Schlussbericht im Auftrag des Bundesamts für Gesundheit (BAG). ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22129
Sommer, B., Raaflaub, C., Hollenstein, A., & Graf, E. (2020). Achillessehnen-Verletzungen : Untersuchung der medizinischen Versorgung mit dem Künzli Ortho Rehab Absolut, Orthotech Vario Stabil und Oped Vacoped. Fuss & Schuh, 146(6), 5–7.
Dratva, J., Etzer-Hofer, I., Feer, S., & Sommer, B. (2020). Auswirkungen von Sport und Bewegung während der Arbeitszeit auf die Gesundheit und die Produktivität am Arbeitsplatz : Recherche Schweiz und International. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-21302
Sommer, B., Hinterberger, B., Rast, F., Schelldorfer, S., Ernst, M., Kuster, R., Lorenzetti, S., & Bauer, C. (2014). Trunk kinematics in non-specific low back pain patients following sudden unloading. 1st Clinical Movement Analysis World Conference, Rome, Italy, 1-4 October 2014.

Oral conference contributions and abstracts

Haas, M. C., Sommer, B. B., van Rekum, S., Moerman, F., & Graf, E. S. (2026). Guidelines for open research data in movement sciences [Conference presentation]. Current Issues in Sport Science, 11(2), 58. https://doi.org/10.36950/2026.2ciss058
Sommer, B., Haas, M., van Rekum, S., Moerman, F., & Graf, E. (2025). The use of ‘Open Research Data Guidelines for Movement Laboratories’ for sharing normative gait data [Conference presentation]. Gait & Posture, 117(Supplement 1), S31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.01.076
Haas, M., Sommer, B., Moerman, F., van Rekum, S., & Graf, E. (2025). Fostering the potential of open research data in movement analysis by means of guidelines for data sharing [Conference presentation]. Gait & Posture, 117(Supplement 1), S15–S16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.01.055
Wieber, F., Nast, I., Carlander, M., Mattli, R., Rausch, A.-K., Sommer, B., Wirz, M., & Niedermann Schneider, K. (2022, September 5). Prescribing physical activity : status quo of the integration in Swiss healthcare system and international best practices. 17th Conference of the Swiss Psychological Society, Zurich, Switzerland, 4-6 September 2022. https://sps2022.psychologie.uzh.ch/symposia-monday-5-september-2022-1030-1200/
Graf, E., Pauli, C., & Sommer, B. (2021, July). Altered timing in trunk rotation with the ToneFit Reha compared to Nordic Walking in people with low back pain. XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Online, 25-29 July 2021.
Sommer, B. (2020, September 9). Bewegungsförderung während der Arbeitszeit oder mit anderweitiger Vergütung. hepa.ch Netzwerktagung, Online, 9. September 2020.

Research data

Haas, Michelle; Sommer, Bettina; Graf, Eveline; Bauer, Christoph, 2023. Hip and trunk kinematics : mobile and stable seat. Harvard Dataverse. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/LP3W8J
Haas, Michelle C.; Sommer, Bettina B.; van Rekum, Simon; Moerman, Felix; Graf, Eveline, 2024. MoveD – open research data guidelines for movement laboratories. Zenodo. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13347388
Bauer, Christoph; Sommer, Bettina; Pauli, Carole; Haas, Michelle; Graf, Eveline, 2021. Normative gait data. Harvard Dataverse. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/M0NKN9
Haas, Michelle; Sommer, Bettina; Graf, Eveline; Bauer, Christoph, . Electromyographic data mobile and stable seat. Harvard Dataverse. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/FX5C3D

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