Ritzmann, Ramona

Prof. Dr. Ramona Ritzmann   Department of Sport Science University of Freiburg Sandfangweg 5 79102 Freiburg Germany E-Mail: ramona.ritzmann@sport.uni-freiburg.de

My fundamental work interest is on exercise biomechanics and neuroscience at the interconnection of sports and health. Investigating the underlying neuronal control and regulation mechanisms of human movements and translating the results into practice in prevention and therapy programs is my biggest pleasure. With my transdisciplinary network, I also use the digitization of a large number of data in combination with further biomarkers to establish validated prognostic models, identify clinical endotypes and develop human-inspired computer simulations and robots.

My clinical expertise includes exercise diagnosis and intervention at the interface with neurology, trauma surgery and sports medicine. The focus of my clinical work is on evidence-based development and optimization of diagnostic algorithms and surgical and therapeutic interventions on bones, cartilage, muscles and ligaments of the upper and lower extremities. My tasks include regulatory research projects and validation studies with the medical device and pharmaceutical industry.

Short CV:

Awards 

Publications

Lambert, C., Riesterer, J., Mauch, M., Lambert, M., Paul, J., Ritzmann, R. (2022) Modified defense reaction reduces biomechanical and myoelectrical ACL risk factors in Elite Judo. Journal of Sports Sciences. Accepted.

Lambert, C., Kern, N., Ritzmann, R., Reinert, N., Schuetz, LM., Walz, M., Wafaisade, W., Guenther, D. Reuter, S. (2022). Influence of psychological factors on return to sports in judo injuries -A cross-sectional study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Accepted.

Ritzmann, R., Del Vecchio, A., Baudry, S., Place, N., Gollhofer, A., Narici, M., Centner, C. (2022) Editorial: Neuromechanics in Movement and Disease With Physiological and Pathophysiological Implications: From Fundamental Experiments to Bio-Inspired Technologies. Frontiers in Physiology. published: 14 April 2022

Lambert, C., Schuetz, LM., Rice, S., Purcell, R., Stoll, T., Trajdos, M., Ritzmann, R., Böhm, AL., Walz, M. (2022). Depressive Symptoms among Olympic Athletes during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 14:36. 1-9.

Lambert, C., Ritzmann, R., Lambert, S.,Lachman, D., Malliaropoulos, N., Geisslein, M., Peters, N., Shafizadeh, M.D. (2021). Prevalence of sport specific injuries in Olympic combat sports: A cross-sectional study examining one Olympic period. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. Epub.

Fleming, J.D., Ritzmann, R., Centner, C. (2021). Effect of an anterior cruciate ligament rupture on knee proprioception within two years after conservative and operative treatment – A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. Epub.

Lambert, C., Ritzmann, R., Akoto, R., Lambert, M., Pfeiffer, T., Wolfarth, B., Lachmann, D., Shafizadeh, S. (2021). Epidemiology of injuries in Olympic sports: a cross-sectional survey of injuries based on the localization of injuries, time loss and reduction in sporting level. Int J Sports Med. Epub.

Monti, E. , Waldvogel, J., Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Albracht, K., Helm, M., De Cesare, N., Pavan, P., Reggiani, C., Gollhofer, A., Narici, M.V. (2021). Muscle in Variable Gravity: "I Do Not Know Where I Am, But I Know What to Do". 714655. Epub.

Marusic, U., Narici, M., Simunic, B., Pisot, R., Ritzmann, R. (2021). Non-uniform loss of muscle strength and atrophy during bed rest: a systematic review. J Appl Physiol (1985). 131(1):194-206.

Waldvogel, J., Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Helm, M., Monti, E., Albracht, K., et al. Narici, M. (2021). The Anticipation of Gravity in Human Ballistic Movement. Front Physiol, 12, 614060. 12:614060. Epub.

Wenning, M., Mauch, M., Heitner, A., Lienhard, J., Ritzmann, R., Paul, J. (2021). Neuromechanical activation of triceps surae muscle remains altered at 3.5 years following open surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 29(8):2517-2527.

Wenning, M., Mauch, M., Heitner, A., Streicher, P., Ritzmann, R., Paul, J. (2021). Midterm functional performance following open surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. Epub.

Wenning, M., Gehring, D., Mauch, M., Schmal, H., Ritzmann, R., Paul, J. (2020). Functional deficits in chronic mechanical ankle instability. J Orthop Surg Res, 15(1), 304.

Centner, C., Mauch, M., Paul, J., Ritzmann, R. (2020). Evidence-based effects of blood flow restriction training in the rehabilitation of knee ostheoarthristis and anterior cruiciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review. Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 36(2), 11. 

Centner, C., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Konig, D. (2020). Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training and Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Adaptations in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Strength Cond Res, 34(3), 603-608.

Helm, M., Freyler, K., Waldvogel, J., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2020). Response to: gender differences on neuromuscular strategy during drop jump: a comment on Helm et al. (2019) by Di Giminiani et al. Eur J Appl Physiol, 120(11), 2557-2558.

Kalc, M., Ritzmann, R., Strojnik, V. (2020). Effects of whole-body vibrations on neuromuscular fatigue: a study with sets of different durations. PeerJ, 8, e10388.

Riesterer, J., Mauch, M., Paul, J., Gehring, D., Ritzmann, R., Wenning, M. (2020). Relationship between pre- and post-operative isokinetic strength after ACL reconstruction using hamstring autograft. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 12(1), 68.

Lambert, C., Reinert, N., Stahl, L., Pfeiffer, T., Wolfarth, B., Lachmann, D., et al. Ritzmann, R. (2020). Epidemiology of injuries in track and field athletes: a cross-sectional study of specific injuries based on time loss and reduction in sporting level. Phys Sportsmed, 1-10.

Lambert, C., Ritzmann, R., Ellermann, A., Carvalho, M., Akoto, R., Wafaisade, A., & Lambert, M. (2020). Return to competition after anterior cruciate ligament injuries in world class judoka. Phys Sportsmed, 1-6. 

Krause, A., Gollhofer, A., Lee, K., Freyler, K., Becker, T., Kurz, A., Ritzmann, R. (2020). Acute whole-body vibration reduces post-activation depression in the triceps surae muscle. Hum Mov Sci, 72, 102655.

Suarez-Arrones, L., De Alba, B., Roll, M., Torreno, I., Strutt, S., Freyler, K., Ritzmann, R. (2020). Player Monitoring in Professional Soccer: Spikes in Acute:Chronic Workload Are Dissociated From Injury Occurrence. Front Sports Act Living, 2, 75.

Helm, M., Freyler, K., Waldvogel, J., Lauber, B., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2020). Anticipation of drop height affects neuromuscular control and muscle-tendon mechanics. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2020 Jan;30(1):46-63.

Centner, C., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Konig, D. (2020). Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training and Blood Flow Restriction on Muscle Adaptations in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Strength Cond Res, 34(3), 603-608. 

Holubarsch, J., Freyler, K., Helm, M., Gollhofer, A., Ringhoff, S., Ritzmann, R. (2019). Stumbling reactions in hypo and hyper gravity – muscle synergies are robust across different perturbations of human stance during parabolic flights. Nature Scientific Reports. 9:10490 eCollection.

Helm, M., Freyler, K. Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2019). The relationship between leg stiffness, forces and neural control of the leg musculature during the stretch‑shortening cycle is dependent on the anticipation of drop height. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 119:1982-1999.

Krause, A., Lee, K., Freyler, K., Bührer, T., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2019). Whole-body vibration impedes the deterioration of postural control in patients with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis and related disorders. 31:134-140.

Fuhrmann, N., Freyler, K., Bessi, F., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2019). Neuromuskuläre Aspekte des Dehnungs-Verkürzungs-Zyklus im Leistungsturnen. Interpretation im Kontext der Leistungs­diagnostik und Trainingssteuerung. Leistungssport. 49(3):11-17. 

Centner, C., Ritzmann, R., Schur, S., Gollhofer, A., König, D. (2019). Blood flow restriction increases myoelectric activity and metabolic accumulation during whole-body vibration. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 119(6):1439-1449.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Helm, M., Holubarsch, J., Gollhofer, A. (2019). Stumbling reactions in partial gravity - neuromechanics of compensatory postural responses and inter-limb coordination during perturbation of human stance. Frontiers in Physiology. 50:576.

Streckmann, F., Hess, V., Bloch, W., Décard B., Ritzmann, R., Lehmann H. C., Elter, T., Zahner, L., Donath, L., Roth, R., Faude, O. (2019). Individually tailored whole-body vibration training to reduce the symptoms of Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: study protocol of a randomized-controlled trial – VANISH. BMJ Open. 29(4).

Krause, A., Ritzmann, R., Lee, K., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A. (2019). Acute Neuromuscular Modulation Enhances Postural Control after Whole-Body Vibration. German Journal of Sports Medicine. 70(1):5-12.

Helm, M., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Freyler, K. (2019). Anticipation modulates neuromechanics of drop jumps in known or unknown ground stiffness. PlosOne. 14(1).

Ritzmann, R., Lee, K., Freyler, K., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A. (2018). Stimulus Prediction and Postural Reaction: Phase-Specific Modulation of Soleus H-Reflexes Is Related to Changes in Joint Kinematics and Segmental Strategy in Perturbed Upright Stance. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 12:62.

Ritzmann R., Freyler, K., Kümmel, J., Gruber, M., Belavy, D., Felsenberg, D., Gollhofer, A., Kramer, A., Ambrecht, G. (2018). High Intensity Jump Exercise Preserves Posture Control, Gait, and Functional Mobility During 60 Days of Bed-Rest: An RCT Including 90 Days of Follow-Up. Frontiers in Physiology. 16;8:416.

Krause, A., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A., Stocker, T., Brüderlin, U, Colin, R., Töpfer, H., Ritzmann, R. (2018). Neuromuscular and kinematic adaptation in response to reactive balance training – an analysis regarding fall prevention. Frontiers in Physiology. 9:1075.

Kramer, A., Kümmel, J., Gollhofer, A., Armbrecht, G., Ritzmann, R., Belavy, D., Felsenberg, D., Gruber, M. (2018). Plyometrics can preserve peak power during two months of physical inactivity: an RCT. Frontiers in Physiology. 9: 633.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A. (2018). Whole body vibration increases reciprocal inhibition. Human Movement Science. 60:191–201.

Ritzmann, R., Kranich, J., Krause, A., Becker, E., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A., (2018). Sensomotorisches Training verbessert die Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit, Geschicklichkeit und Schnellkraft bei U12 Fußball Kaderathleten. Leistungssport. 49(2):29-44.

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Ritzmann, R., Kranich, J., Krause, A., Becker, E., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A., (2017). Sensomotorisches Training verbessert die Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit, Geschicklichkeit und Schnellkraft bei U12 Fußball Kaderathleten. Leistungssport. 49(2):29-44.

Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Freyler, K. (2017). Posture and Locomotion. Bookchapter in Sensory Motor and Behavioral Research in Space. 1:86.

Krause, A., Schönau, E., Gollhofer, A., Duran, I., Ferrari-Malik, A., Freyler, K., RitzmannR. (2017). Alleviation of Motor Impairments in Patients with Cerebral Palsy: Acute Effects of Whole-body Vibration on Stretch Reflex Response, Voluntary Muscle Activation and Mobility. Frontiers in Neurology. 16;8:416.

Kohn F. P. M., RitzmannR. (2017). Gravity and neuronal adaptation, in vitro and in vivo-from neuronal cells up to neuromuscular responses: a first model. Eur Biophys J. [Epub ahead of print]

Krause A., Gollhofer A., Freyler K., Jablonka L., Ritzmann R. (2016). Acute corticospinal and spinal modulation after whole body vibration. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 16(4):327-338.

Freyler K., Krause A., Gollhofer A., Ritzmann R. (2016). Specific Stimuli Induce Specific Adaptations: Sensorimotor Training vs. Reactive Balance Training. PLoS One. 11(12): eCollection.

Ritzmann R., Freyler K., Krause A., Gollhofer A. (2016). Bouncing on Mars and the Moon-the role of gravity on neuromuscular control: correlation of muscle activity and rate of force development. J Appl Physiol 121(5):1187-1195.

Ritzmann R., Freyler K., Werkhausen A., Gollhofer A. (2016). Changes in Balance Strategy and Neuromuscular Control during a Fatiguing Balance Task-A Study in Perturbed Unilateral Stance. Front Hum Neurosci. 10:289 eCollection.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A. (2016). Gravity and Neuronal Adaptation: Neurophysiology of Reflexes from Hypo- to Hypergravity Conditions 1:2, 9-18.

Ritzmann R., Freyler K., Krause A., Gollhofer A. (2016). No neuromuscular side-effects of scopolamine in sensorimotor control among parabolic fliers. Microgravity Sci. Technol. 28:5, 477–490.

Freyler K., Gollhofer A., Colin R., Brüderlin U., Ritzmann R. (2016) Reactive Balance Control in Response to Perturbation in Unilateral Stance: Interaction Effects of Direction, Displacement and Velocity on Compensatory Neuromuscular and Kinematic Responses. PLoS One. 17; 10(12) eCollection.

Ritzmann R., Freyler K., Weltin E., Krause A., Gollhofer A. (2015). Load Dependency of Postural Control--Kinematic and Neuromuscular Changes in Response to over and under Load Conditions. PLoS One. 10(6) eCollection.

Kneis, S., Wehrle, A., Freyler, K., Lehmann, K., Rudolphi, B., Hildenbrand, B., Bartsch, H.H., Bertz, H., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2015). Balance impairments and neuromuscular changes in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Clin Neurophysiol. 127(2):1481-1490.

Freyler, K., Weltin, E., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2014). Improved postural control in response to a 4-week balance training with partially unloaded bodyweight. Gait & Posture, 40: 291–296..

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Bernhardt, S. Gollhofer, A. (2014). Improving balance control and muscle endurance: whole body vibration training versus an equivalent exercise program. PLoS One, 9(2): e89905.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A. (2014). Auswirkung von Schwerelosigkeit auf den menschlichen Bewegungsapparat - Erfolgreiche Maßnahmen gegen Degeneration. Flug u Reisemed 2014; 21(4):220–226.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A., Taube, W. (2013). The effect of whole body vibration on the H-reflex, the stretch reflex and the short-latency response during hopping. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 23(3):331-339.

Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2013). Acute exposure to microgravity does not influence the H-reflex with or without whole body vibration and does not cause vibration-specific changes in muscular activity. J Electromyogr Kinesiol., 23(4):872-878.

Kramer, A., Ritzmann, R., Gruber, M., Gollhofer, A. (2011). Leg stiffness can be maintained during reactive hopping despite modified acceleration conditions. Journal of biomechanics, J Biomech. 26; 45(10):1816-1822.

Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Kramer, A. (2012). The influence of vibration type, frequency, body position and additional load on the neuromuscular activity during whole body vibration. Eur J Appl Physiol., 113(1):1-11.

Kramer, A., Ritzmann, R., Gruber, M., Gollhofer, A. (2011). Four weeks of training in a sledge jump system improved the jump pattern to almost natural reactive jumps. European journal of applied physiology, 112(1):285-293.

Kramer, A., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Gehring, D., Gruber, M. (2010). A new sledge jump system that allows almost natural reactive jumps. Journal of biomechanics, 43(14):2672–2677.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gruber, M., Gollhofer, A., Taube, W. (2010). Emg activity during whole body vibration: motion artifacts or stretch reflexes? European journal of applied physiology, 110(1):143–151.

Ausgewählte Kurzpublikationen

Helm, M.,Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Freyler, K. (2018) Anticipation changes neuromechanics of drop jumps in regard to known or unknown ground stiffness conditions. Dublin, Ireland.

Ritzmann, R. (2017). Biomechanical and neuromuscular changes during aging and disuse. BASES-FEPSAC, Nottingham, GB.

Ritzmann, R. (2017). Gesund zum Mars und Mond. Wie geht das? Ideenkonferenz - Medizin trifft Technologie: Die Therapien von morgen beginnen heute. Freiburg, Deutschland.

Gollhofer A., Freyler K., Krause A., Ritzmann R. (2017). Research in different gravitational conditions – an overview. ISB, Brisbane, Australia.

Freyler K., Gollhofer A., Krause A., Ritzmann R. (2017). Load dependency of balance control – kinematic and neuromuscular changes in response to gravitational under and over load. ISB, Brisbane, Australia.

Gollhofer A., Krause A., Ritzmann R., Freyler K. (2017). Partial unloading during balance training improves postural control similar to training with full load. ISB, Brisbane, Australia.

Ritzmann R., Freyler K., Krause A. Gollhofer A. (2017). The role of gravity on neuromuscular control during jumps: correlation of muscle activity and rate of force development. ISB, Brisbane, Australia.

Albracht K., Ritzmann R., Kramer A., Meskemper J, Stäudle B., Kümmel J., Freyler K., Felsenberg D., Gruber M., Gollhofer A., Belavy D. (2017) Influence of microgravity on neuromuscular function of the lower limb. ISB, Brisbane, Australia.

Krause A, Gollhofer A, Lee K, Freyler K, Ritzmann R. (2017) Neuromuscular effects of vibration therapy regarding motor impairments. 3rd Neurological Disorders Summit. San Francisco, CA, USA. (invited)

Freyler, K., Krause, A., Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A. (2016). Sensorimotor training vs. reactive balance training: specific stimuli induce specific neuromuscular and functional adaptations. 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Vienna, Austria

Freyler, K., Krause, A., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2016). Scopolamine medication in parabolic flight space research - no neuromuscular side-effects in sensorimotor control. ESA / ISGP / CNES Joint Life Sciences Meeting. Toulouse, France.

Freyler K, Ritzmann R, Krause A, Gollhofer A. (2016). Effects of weightlessness and altered gravities on neuromuscular correlates of human movement. German Space Agency (DLR) Human Physiology Workshop. Cologne, Germany.

Ritzmann, R., Kneis, S., Wehrle, A., Freyler K., Lehmann K., Rudolphi B., Hildenbrand B., Bartsch H., Bertz H., Gollhofer, A. (2015). Balance impairment is associated with neuromuscular dysfunction in breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. ACSM’s 62nd Annual Meeting, 6th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, San Diego, USA.

Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A. (2015) Martian and Lunar gravity: effect on neuromuscular correlates of postural control. 6th China-Germany Workshop on Microgravity and Space Life Sciences. Hangzhou, China.

Krause, A., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A., Ritzmann, R. (2015). Acute adaptations of spacticity-related impairments after whole body vibration – effects on stretch reflex responses, voluntary muscle activation and mobility. 19^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Malmö, Sweden.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A. (2014). Balance control in Martian and Lunar gravity – sensorimotor training under artificial gravity as a countermeasure for prolongued human space flight. Life in Space for Life on Earth Symposium. Waterloo, Canada.

Kneis S., Wehrle, A., Freyler, K., Lehmann K., Rudolphi B., Hildenbrand, B., Bartsch H., Bertz, H., Gollhofer A., Ritzmann R. (2014). Posturale und neuromuskuläre Dysfunktion bei Brustkrebspatintinnen mit Polyneuropathie. 45. Deutscher Sportärztekongress. Frankfurt, Deutschland.

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A (2014). Load dependency of postural control – kinematic and neuromuscular changes in response to over an under loading. 19^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Amsterdam, Holland. 

Ritzmann, R., Freyler, K., Gollhofer, A. (2013). Changes in balance strategy and neuromuscular control in response to fatigue – a study in unanticipated perturbation during unilateral stance. 18^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Barcelona, Spain.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A. (2013). Optimization of neuromuscular activation in whole body vibration – effect of type, frequency, amplitude and body position. 24^th congress of the international society of biomechanics. Natal, Brazil.

Ritzmann, R., Gollhofer, A., Freyler, K., Colin, R., Kujat, D., Brüderlin, U., Haider, E.,  Stocker, T., Töpfer, (2013). Gleichgewichtstraining - ein aktiv steuerbares Trainingsgerät für den Einsatz in der Rehabilitation zur Verletzungs- und Sturzprophylaxe. Internationales Forum Mechatronik. Winterthur, Schweiz.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A. (2012). Effect of whole body vibration on the H-reflex in normal gravity and microgravity. Joint space life science meeting. Aberdeen, Scotland.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gollhofer, A. (2012). Whole body vibration training – effect on jump height, balance control and strength endurance. 17^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Brügge, Belgien.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gruber, M., & Gollhofer, A. (2011). The influence of vibration parameters and body position on the muscular activity during Whole body vibration. Supplement to Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Port Douglas, Australia.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., & Gollhofer, A. (2011). Effect of whole body vibration on the H-reflex in normal gravity and microgravity. 16^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. Liverpool, UK.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Gruber, M., & Gollhofer, A. (2011). The effect of whole body vibration on the H-relex in normal gravity and microgravity. 49. wissenschaftliche Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin. Sinsheim, Deutschland.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., & Gollhofer, A. (2011). Influence of vibration type, frequency, body position and additional load on the neuromuscular activity during whole body vibration. 6. Black Forest Forum for Musculoskeletal Interactions. Bad Liebenzell, Deutschland.

Ritzmann, R., Kramer, A., Taube, W., Gruber, M., & Gollhofer, A.(2010). Effect of whole body vibration on the H-reflex, stretch reflex and short-latency-response in the stretch shortening-cycle. 15^th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Antalya, Türkei. using the SSC. 5. Black Forest Forum for Musculoskeletal Interactions, 29.