HIFIm High-Frequency Impulse for Microgravity
Next-generation exercise countermeasures for astronauts in long-duration spaceflight - and advanced rehabilitation on Earth.
GBR Olympic Bronze Medalist, Matt Wells Rowing on HIFIm in Zero Gravity
HIFIm
High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity
“The next generation of multi-exercise countermeasures for long duration human space exploration.”
| patented |
The People Behind HIFIm
The development of HIFIm has been made possible through a longstanding collaboration bringing together aerospace engineering, biomechanics, mechanical design and specialist manufacturing expertise.
Conceived and invented by John Kennett, HIFIm has progressed from an innovative exercise concept to a functioning technology evaluated through international space research programmes. John has led its development, establishing the engineering requirements, securing funding and building the partnerships necessary to advance the technology.
Central to this journey has been Dominic Tuohy, whose commitment, engineering resources and practical and financial support were instrumental in bringing HIFIm's prototypes into existence. Working closely with John, Vince Abbott has been responsible for translating the invention into detailed mechanical designs, overseeing manufacture and assembling the functioning systems. Professor Daniel Cleather has provided the scientific leadership, research expertise and technical documentation essential to evaluating HIFIm and advancing its development through international research collaborations.
Together, their complementary expertise and sustained contributions have enabled HIFIm to progress from concept through successive prototypes, extensive parabolic flight testing and evaluation for future human space exploration.
John E. Kennett
CEO & Founder, Physical Mind London | Inventor of HIFIm
John E. Kennett is an aerospace engineer, exercise rehabilitation specialist and inventor of HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), a mechanically balanced exercise countermeasure system developed to protect astronaut health during long-duration spaceflight.
His career began at British Airways, where he worked on Concorde and Boeing 747 fleets, served as an engineering accident investigator, lead business analysis and chaired the Engineering Fleet Health and Safety Committee. He subsequently moved into exercise science and rehabilitation, becoming a university lecturer in anatomy, sports injuries and sports psychology. He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Salford.
Drawing on his combined experience in aerospace engineering and human movement science, John conceived HIFIm in 2012 to address the physiological challenges of microgravity. He developed the underlying mechanical concept and functional requirements, directing its progression through successive prototypes, engineering development and experimental testing.
As founder and CEO of Physical Mind London, John has led HIFIm's development for over a decade, securing research funding, establishing international partnerships and coordinating the engineering and scientific teams responsible for bringing the technology into operation. His achievements include securing UK Space Agency funding, including a UK–Canada International Bilateral Fund grant, participation in the UKSA GEO and GOVBridge Accelerator programmes, and selection for the Airbus Space Accelerator in 2024.
Under his leadership, HIFIm has undergone extensive ESA parabolic flight testing, achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 for space applications and been selected as one of three exercise countermeasure technologies for evaluation under the ESA Lunar Gateway programme. He continues to lead its development for future lunar missions and terrestrial healthcare applications, working alongside specialist engineering teams, scientists and international research partners.
Professor Daniel J. Cleather
Chief Scientist, Physical Mind London | Professor of Strength & Conditioning, St Mary’s University Twickenham
Professor Daniel J. Cleather is a leading biomechanist and strength and conditioning specialist, and Chief Scientist at Physical Mind London, where he provides scientific leadership for the research, development and validation of HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity).
He is Professor of Strength and Conditioning and Programme Director of the MSc in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University Twickenham. Previously, he spent six years at the English Institute of Sport supporting elite athletes across multiple disciplines. He holds an MSc in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach, and a PhD in Bioengineering from Imperial College London.
Professor Cleather's research focuses on musculoskeletal mechanics, motor control, joint loading and the function of biarticular muscles, using advanced computational modelling techniques. He is the author of several recognised books, including the Force series, The Little Black Book of Training Wisdom and The Practice of Change.
As HIFIm's principal scientific collaborator, Professor Cleather has played a pivotal role in advancing the technology through scientific research and international space programmes. Working closely with inventor John Kennett, he has contributed extensively to experimental design, scientific analysis, technical documentation, research proposals and the development of collaborations with universities and space agencies. His work has also been central to establishing the scientific rationale underpinning HIFIm's exercise capabilities.
He has participated in multiple ESA parabolic flight campaigns and leads research into HIFIm's mechanical behaviour, force transmission, vibration characteristics and physiological effectiveness. His contribution has helped translate experimental findings into the technical evidence needed to support HIFIm's evaluation for space applications. His scientific expertise and sustained commitment have been instrumental in establishing HIFIm's research credibility and progressing its development as an exercise countermeasure for future human space exploration.
Dominic Tuohy
Technical Development Partner, Physical Mind London | Oscar-Winning Special Effects Supervisor & Co-Founder, 2EFX
Dominic Tuohy is a world-leading Special Effects Supervisor and co-founder of 2EFX, with extensive experience designing, building and operating complex mechanical systems for demanding and safety-critical environments.
Through 2EFX, Dominic has played a pivotal role in supporting the development of HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), contributing to mechanical design realisation, fabrication methods and iterative prototyping. His expertise has been instrumental in translating conceptual engineering designs into robust, repeatable physical systems capable of withstanding high dynamic loads and repeated operational use.
Dominic’s background in special effects engineering spans large-scale mechanical rigs, precision mechanisms and bespoke load-bearing structures developed for the film industry under extreme time, safety and reliability constraints. He is internationally recognised for his work as a Special Effects Supervisor and was part of the Academy Award-winning team for 1917, alongside multiple additional Academy Award nominations across his career.
Beyond his technical expertise, Dominic has provided essential engineering resources, workshop facilities and substantial practical and financial support throughout HIFIm’s prototype development. His commitment to the project, particularly at critical stages of its development, has been fundamental to enabling the technology to progress.
His involvement brings a unique cross-disciplinary skillset to Physical Mind London, combining creative problem-solving with rigorous practical engineering. Together with the contributions of the wider engineering and scientific team, Dominic's support has been central to bringing HIFIm from concept to functional demonstrator, helping ensure that the system is not only theoretically sound, but physically robust and operationally credible.
Vince Abbott
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, Physical Mind London | Special Effects Engineer, 2EFX
Vince Abbott is a highly experienced mechanical design engineer and Special Effects Lead Engineer, bringing exceptional expertise in the design, fabrication and integration of complex mechanical systems operating under demanding safety and performance constraints.
As Lead Design Engineer for HIFIm (High Frequency Impulse for Microgravity), Vince has played a central role in transforming the John Kennett's concepts and functional specifications into detailed mechanical designs and working prototypes. He has been responsible for developing the CAD models, engineering critical assemblies, specifying components and manufacturing requirements, and overseeing the integration and assembly of the fabricated parts.
His engineering expertise has been fundamental to the development of HIFIm's mechanically balanced architecture, including its carriage systems, load-bearing structures and precision mechanisms. Through successive prototypes, Vince has worked to refine the design, address mechanical challenges and improve the system's robustness and reliability under high cyclic loading and repeated operational use.
Vince's engineering background includes senior technical roles on major international film productions, contributing to sophisticated mechanical systems for projects including Star Wars, Gravity, Mission: Impossible and James Bond. These environments require meticulous attention to safety, precision and repeatability, often under considerable time pressure and evolving technical requirements.
Combining detailed mechanical design expertise with extensive hands-on engineering experience, Vince has been instrumental in bringing HIFIm from engineering concept to functioning hardware. His contribution to its design, manufacture, assembly and continued development has been essential in preparing the technology for scientific research, parabolic flight testing and evaluation for future space missions.