Exercise and Human Movement Science
Our division represents the scientific disciplines Exercise and Human Movement Science, including Biomechanics, in research and teaching. As part of our research, we focus on the effects, dose-response relations and physiological adaptations following different types of physical exercise (e.g., balance and resistance training) in individuals across the lifespan. Within the applied research setting of youth and elite adult sports, we primarily target research questions in the fields of performance monitoring, testing and training. In recreational sports, we focus on the development, evaluation and implementation of exercise intervention strategies in different populations (e.g., seniors). In addition, the development of new sports equipment (e.g., running shoes) is a key feature of our research. Basic research questions primarily target neuromuscular mechanisms underlying human motor control.
News
current calls for final theses
school in motion– Strength or endurance in elementary school mathematics lessons?
Ansprechparter: Urs.Granacher@sport.uni-freiburg.de
Recent publications
Granacher, U. & Behm, D.G. (2023). Youth resistance training: The past, the present and the future. Sport & Exercise Medicine Switzerland, 71(3), 13-16. https://sems-journal.ch/13126
Garcia-Carrillo, E., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Thapa, R.K., Granacher, U. & Izquierdo, M. (2023). Effects of upper-body plyometric training on physical fitness in healthy youth and young adult participants: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine - Open 9(93). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798‑023‑00631‑2
Fernandez-Fernandez, J., Herrero-Molleda, A., Alvarez-Dacal, F., Hernandez-Davo, J.L. & Granacher, U. (2023). The impact of sex and biological maturation on physical fitness in adolescent badminton players. Sports, 11(10): 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11100191
Teich, P., Fühner, T., Bähr, F., Puta, C., Granacher, U., & Kliegl, R. (2023). Covid Pandemic Effects on the Physical Fitness of Primary School Children: Results of the German EMOTIKON Project. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00624-1
Selmi, W., Hammami, R., Kasmi, S. & Granacher, U. Effects of Aerobic and Speed Training Versus Active Control on Repeated Sprint Ability and Measures of Self-confidence and Anxiety in Highly Trained Male Soccer Players. Sports Medicine - Open 9, 63 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00619-y
Zecchin, A., Puggina, E.F., Hortobágyi, T. & Granacher, U. (2023). Association between foundation strength and weightlifting exercises in highly trained Weightlifters: Support for a general strength component. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(7), 1375-1381.https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004433
Zouita, A., Darragi, M., Bousselmi, M., Sghaeir, Z., Clark, C.C.T., Hackney, A.C., Granacher, U. & Zouhal, H. (2023). The effects of resistance training on muscular fitness, muscle morphology, and body composition in elite female athletes: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, (Epub). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01859-4
Hortobágyi, T., Vetrovsky, T., Brach, J.S., van Haren, M., Volesky, K., Radaelli, R., Lopez, P. & Granacher, U. (2023). Effects of exercise training on muscle quality in older individuals: A systematic scoping review with meta-analyses. Sports Medicine Open, 9(41). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00585-5
Teich, P., Fühner, T., Granacher, U. & Kliegl, R. (2023). Physical fitness of primary school children differs depending on their timing of school enrollment. Scientific Reports, 13, 8788. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35727-y
Ayadi, H., Ben Saad, H., Talbi, M., Boughzela, A., Moalla, W., Granacher, U. &Chaouachi, A (2023). Effects of wearing fixed orthodontic appliance on dynamic balance, reaction time, and pain perception in adolescents and young adult elite athletes. Somatosensory Motor Research, 18, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/08990220.2023.2197995
Hadjizadeh Anvar, S., Granacher, U., Konrad, A., Alizadeh, S., Culleton, R., Edwards, C., Goudini, R & Behm, D.G. (2023). Corticospinal excitability and reflex modulation in a contralateral non‑stretched muscle following unilateral stretching. European Journal of Applied Physiology, (Epub). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05200-9
Ramirez-Campillo, R., Sortwell, A., Moran, J., Afonso, J., Clemente, F.M., Lloyd, R.S., Oliver, J.L., Pedley, J. & Granacher, U. (2023). Plyometric-jump training effects on physical fitness and sport-specific performance according to maturity: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine Open, 9(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00568-6
Triki, R., Zouhal, H., Chtourou, H., Salhi, I., Jebabli, N., Saeidi, A., Laher, I., Hackney, A.C., Granacher, U. & Ben Abderrahman, A. (2023). Timing of resistance training during Ramadan fasting and its effects on muscle strength and hypertrophy. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, (Epub).https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2022-0268
Gäbler, M., Prieske, O., Elferink-Gemser, M., Hortobágyi, T., Warnke, T. & Granacher, U. (2023). Measures of physical fitness improve prediction of kayak and canoe sprint performance in young kayakers and canoeists. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, (Epub). https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004055
Moran, J., Liew, B., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Granacher, U., Negra, Y., & Chaabene, H. (2023). The effects of plyometric jump training on lower-limb stiffness in healthy individuals: A meta-analytical comparison. Journal of sport and health science, 12(2), 236–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.05.005
Centner, C., Jerger, S., Lauber, B., Seynnes, O., Friedrich, T., Lolli, D., Gollhofer, A., & König, D. (2023). Similar patterns of tendon regional hypertrophy after low-load blood flow restriction and high-load resistance training. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 10.1111/sms.14321 . Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14321
Waldvogel, J., Freyler, K., Helm, M., Monti, E., Stäudle, B., Gollhofer, A., Narici, M. V., Ritzmann, R., & Albracht, K. (2023). Changes in gravity affect neuromuscular control, biomechanics, and muscle-tendon mechanics in energy storage and dissipation tasks. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 134(1), 190–202. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00279.2022
Research colloquium
The research colloquium takes place every tuesday between 4.15 and 5.45 pm - current schedule SoSe 2023.
Research
The activities of our research comprise three foci. First, performance testing and training, mainly in elite (youth) sports. Second, the investigation of the effects and physiological adaptations following different types of physical exercise in individuals across the lifespan. Third, we study neuromechanical loading and motor control in different conditions (e.g., hyper-/ hypo-gravity).
Elite (youth) sports - testing and training
We perform literature-based or laboratory based athlete needs analysis to identify performance determinants and injury risk factors. The identified strengths and weakness analyses can be used for individualized training.
Resistance Training in Youth Athletes (KINGS-Study)
Lesinski, M., Prieske, O. & Granacher, U. (2016). Effects and dose–response relationships of resistance training on physical performance in youth athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(13), 781-795.
Funding body: Federal German Institute of Sport Science (BISp)
Health promotion through physical activity across the lifespan
The effects and physiological mechanisms of exercise (e.g. balance and/or resistance training) are investigated in different populations (children & adolescents, seniors, patients) using kinematics, kinetics, and electrophysiological testing apparatus.
Kohl, J.; Brame, J.; Hauff, P.; Wurst, R.; Sehlbrede, M.; Fichtner, U.A.; Armbruster, C.; Tinsel, I.; Maiwald, P.; Farin-Glattacker, E.; et al. Effects of aWeb-BasedWeight Loss Program on the Healthy Eating Index-NVS in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and the Association with Dietary, Anthropometric and Cardiometabolic Variables: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2023, 15, 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010007
Neuromechanical control of human movement
During human locomotion, we examine the complex interplay between the central nervous system and the tendo-musculo-skeletal system. We focus on fundamental questions concerning neuromuscular control of movement under variable loading conditions and joint control of the lower extremities during functionally dynamic movements. Mechanisms and risk factors of specific injuries and pathologies are biomechanically analyzed to derive preventive and rehabilitative measures. These findings can be transferred to application research in competitive sports or health promotion through physical activity.
Modulation of the muscle tendon interaction during drop jumps and drop landings in variable gravity
Funding body: German Aerospace Center (DLR), Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Waldvogel, J., Freyler, K., Helm, M., Monti, E., Stäudle, B., Gollhofer, A., Narici, M. V., Ritzmann, R., & Albracht, K. (2023). Changes in gravity affect neuromuscular control, biomechanics, and muscle-tendon mechanics in energy storage and dissipation tasks. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 134(1), 190–202. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00279.2022
Teaching
Teaching comprises the scientific disciplines Exercise and Human Movement Science including Biomechanics on an undergraduate and graduate level. In the field of Human Movement Science/Biomechanics, we focus on human locomotion and sport-specific as well as everyday movements. Starting from the question of how movement is created and controlled, movements are examined biomechanically in order to explain everyday and athletic performance. Our teaching additionally comprises biomechanical approaches for injury risk management. In the context of Exercise Science and Physiology, we teach the effects and dose-response relations of different exercise types in different populations.
Laboratory
measurement method
I Kinetics, kinematics, posturography
- force plates (AMTI, Kistler)
- leg force measuring device (BKM)
- time measurement (Witty)
- motion analysis systems (SIMI Motion, Vicon)
- high-speed cameras (Basler)
- perturbation platforms (Posturomed & Pertumed)
II bio-/electrophysiological methods
- heart rate monitors (BKM)
- lactate analysis system (EKF diagnostics)
- bioimpendance analysis system
- electromyography (cometa Pico EMG & Mini Wave infinity)
- peripheral nerve stimulation
- spirometry
- ultrasound device ArtUS EXT-1H (Telemed)
III anthropometry and endurance ergometer:
- skin wrinkle measuring device (caliper)
- running treadmill quasar med 5 (h/p/cosmos)
Scientific co-workers
Chair Exercise and Human Movement Science:
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Prof. Urs Granacher, PhD Consultation by appointment. Department of Sport and Sport Science 3. floor room 03 011 Tel.: +49 761-203 4510 |
Biomechanics:
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Prof. Dominic Gehring, PhD Consultation by appointment. Department of Sport and Sport Science 3. floor room 03 010 Tel.: +49 761-203 4521 |
