Department of
Sport, Exercise and Health

Preventive Sports Medicine and Systems Physiology (PSSP)

Departement

Division of Rehabilitative and Regenerative Sports Medicine — headed by Prof. Dr med. Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss

The division investigates how physical activity shapes cardiovascular and metabolic health across the lifespan and how movement-based interventions can be used therapeutically

Projects & Publications:

Cardiopulmonary Excerise Testing (COmPLETE)
High-Intensity Interval Training in Heart Failure (HIT-HF)

Streese, L., Ritter, E. T., Schoch, R., Kröpfl, J. M., Hauser, C., Gasser, B., ... & Hanssen, H. (2026). Effects of exercise mode and intensity on retinal microvascular structure and function in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction: a pilot exercise intervention trial.Journal of Vascular Research.

Wagner, J., Knaier, R., Infanger, D., Königstein, K., Klenk, C., Carrard, J., ... & Schmidt-Trucksäss, A. (2021). Novel CPET reference values in healthy adults: associations with physical activity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 53(1), 26-37.

Division of Motor Performance and Biomechanics — headed by Prof. Dr Oliver Faude

The division investigates the connection between neuromuscular health and motor performance across all age groups and the mechanisms through which targeted training and therapeutic interventions drive neuromuscular adaptation.

Projects & Publications:

Sportcheck
Exercise and Arterial Modulation in Children (EXAMIN YOUTH)
Now

Hauser, C., Lichtenstein, E., Nebiker, L., Streese, L., Köchli, S., Infanger, D., ... & Hanssen, H. (2023). Cardiorespiratory fitness and development of childhood cardiovascular risk: The EXAMIN YOUTH follow-up study. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1243434.

Nebiker, L., Lichtenstein, E., Hauser, C., Lona, G., Roth, R., Keller, M., ... & Faude, O. (2023). Secular change in selected motor performance parameters and BMI in Swiss primary school children from 2014-2021: The Sportcheck+ study.Journal of sports sciences, 41(5), 441-450.

Hauser, C., Lona, G., Köchli, S., Streese, L., Infanger, D., Faude, O., & Hanssen, H. (2023). Bivariate relation of vascular health and blood pressure progression during childhood.Atherosclerosis, 381, 117215.

Division of Movement and Environmental Physiology — headed by Prof. Dr Sarah Koch

The division investigates the individual and combined effects of physical activity and environmental exposures on health and wellbeing across the lifespan, combining established and novel methods with innovative statistical approaches and transdisciplinary partnerships that translate findings into practice

Division of Sport and Psychosocial Health — headed by Prof. Dr Markus Gerber

The division examines whether physical activity and sport can be used to strengthen resilience to stress, treat stress-related conditions — with a particular focus on depression — and enhance cognitive performance and other protective resources.

Projects & Publications:

Exercise and Arterial Modulation in Children (EXAMIN YOUTH)

Ludyga, S., Hauser, C., Köchli, S., Lona, G., Streese, L., Faude, O., ... & Hanssen, H. (2023). Influence of physical fitness and retinal microcirculation on the development of cognitive abilities from childhood to preadolescence.Mental Health and Physical Activity, 25, 100544.

Division of Sport Pedagogy and Health Development — headed by Prof. Dr Sebastian Ludyga

The group investigates how sport and physical activity influence higher cognitive functions, with a particular focus on childhood and adolescence as the life stage in which these functions develop. Acute and long-term effects are examined in both school and clinical settings — from how exercise-related cognitive gains contribute to classroom behaviour, learning performance and stress resilience, to the potential of exercise to reduce cognitive deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

Projects & Publications:

Exercise and Arterial Modulation in Children (EXAMIN YOUTH)
Now

Faculty

Translational Imaging in Neurology (ThINk) Basel Group, University of Basel

The ThINk Basel group applies, optimises and integrates magnetic resonance imaging with clinical, neurophysiological and laboratory measures to investigate the pathophysiology of neurological diseases, the mechanisms of disease progression and the response to therapy — with a primary focus on multiple sclerosis. The collaboration with the DSBG centres on the work of PD Dr Athina Papadopoulou, whose research uses imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and MRI to quantify neurodegeneration in the visual pathway and to establish retinal markers of disease progression in multiple sclerosis.

Projects & Publications:

Retinal Markers In Neuroinflammatory Diseases (REMIND)

Burguet Villena, F., Cerdá-Fuertes, N., Hofer, L., Schädelin, S., Sellathurai, S., Schoenholzer, K., ... & Papadopoulou, A. (2025). Retinal neuronal loss and progression independent of relapse activity in multiple sclerosis.Journal of Neurology, 272(7), 454.

Eye Clinic, University Hospital Basel

The Eye Clinic provides the full spectrum of ophthalmological diagnostics and treatment at university level, from glaucoma, medical retina and neuro-ophthalmology to corneal, cataract and refractive surgery, supported by state-of-the-art ocular imaging. Its collaboration with the DSBG builds on shared expertise in glaucoma and retinal vascular function, with Prof. Gugleta contributing clinical and advisory input to the department's work on retinal microvascular health and exercise-based interventions.

Projects & Publications:

High-intensity interval training in patients with glaucoma (HIT-GLAUCOMA)

Schuhmann, V., Küttel, J., Van Eijgen, J., Gugleta, K., & Hanssen, H. (2026). Physical activity and exercise in primary open-angle glaucoma: a scoping review.Frontiers in Physiology, 17, 1834649.

University Heart Center Basel, University Hospital Basel

The University Heart Center Basel brings together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and allied disciplines under one roof and provides the full spectrum of cardiac care at university level, from prevention and heart failure to interventional and structural cardiology. Its collaboration with the DSBG centres on cardiovascular prevention and the clinical translation of exercise-based therapy, with Dr Lauder — specialising in cardiovascular prevention and heart failure.

University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) — Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology & Adolescent Medicine

The UKBB provide specialised paediatric care in endocrinology, diabetology and adolescent medicine, with a clinical and research focus on childhood and adolescent obesity. The collaboration with the DSBG brings together paediatric-clinical and exercise-science expertise to promote health and physical activity in adolescents.

National

Sports Office, Canton of Basel-Stadt (Sportamt, Department of Education)

The Sportamt Basel-Stadt promotes sport and physical activity across the canton, supporting school and club sport, running the national Jugend+Sport programme and the school-based Sportcheck screening, and providing sports facilities and funding. Its collaboration with the DSBG centres on the "now!" programme, which is embedded in the canton's Sportcheck infrastructure and delivered in school and neighbourhood facilities — the Sportamt enabling participant identification and access to community venues.

Health Promotion Switzerland (Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz)

Under a statutory mandate, Health Promotion Switzerland initiates, coordinates and evaluates measures to promote health and prevent disease, and funds projects in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and mental health as well as the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Its collaboration with the DSBG relates to the "now!" programme, which aligns closely with the foundation's focus on promoting physical activity and preventing noncommunicable diseases in children and young people.

lab7x1 — Innovation Lab of the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO/BASPO)

The lab7x1 is the innovation lab of the Swiss Federal Office of Sport, built around the vision that everyone in Switzerland should be active for one hour a day, seven days a week ("7x1"), regardless of age, sex or background. It gathers, tests and evaluates innovative approaches to promoting sport and physical activity in real-world trials, advising trial organisers and supporting them with cost-sharing, communication, and the documentation and sharing of learnings. Its collaboration with the DSBG centres on the "now!" programme, run as one of the lab's practice trials.

Beisheim Foundation

The Beisheim Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that funds and develops impact-oriented projects across Switzerland in the fields of education, health, culture and sport, guided by a partnership-based and outcome-focused approach. Its support for the DSBG's "now!" programme reflects its commitment to strengthening people's physical and mental health and enabling equal participation in sport and physical activity.

International

Faculty of Health Care, Hochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Sciences), Germany — in collaboration with Dr sc. med. Lukas Streese (Therapeutic Sciences; affiliated with University Hospital Düsseldorf)

Dr Streese researches and teaches in Therapeutic Sciences at the Faculty of Health Care, having previously completed his PhD in Prof. Hanssen's Preventive Sports Medicine and Systems Physiology group at the DSBG. His work centres on the vascular effects of exercise and the development of sensitive, non-invasive methods for cardiovascular risk assessment — including retinal vessel analysis — across children, adolescents, healthy adults and patient populations. The long-standing collaboration with the DSBG spans several joint projects and the continued methodological advancement of retinal vessel analysis.

Projects & Publications:

Exercise and Arterial Cross-Talk Modulation and Inflammation in an Ageing Population (EXAMIN AGE)

Fleischlin, E., Hauser, C., Vilser, W., Streese, L., & Hanssen, H. (2026). Advancing Retinal Vessel Analysis: Reproducibility of Myogenic Constriction and Assessment of Regulatory Capacity.Translational Vision Science & Technology, 15(7), 4-4.

Streese, L., Hauser, C., Infanger, D., Klee, S., Link, D., Vilser, W., & Hanssen, H. (2025). Device-based day-to-day and observer variability to quantify dilation capacity in the retinal microcirculation.Frontiers in Physiology, 16, 1663370.

Streese, L., Pichler, F. A., Hauser, C., & Hanssen, H. (2023). Microvascular wall-to-lumen ratio in patients with arterial hypertension: A randomized controlled exercise trial. Microvascular Research, 148, 104526.

Streese, L., Lona, G., Wagner, J., Knaier, R., Burri, A., Nève, G., ... & Hanssen, H. (2021). Normative data and standard operating procedures for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis as biomarker for cardiovascular risk.Scientific reports, 11(1), 14136

Department of Nephrology, TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar (Technical University of Munich), Germany— in collaboration with apl. Prof. Dr med. Christoph Schmaderer (Senior Consultant, Department of Nephrology; specialist in internal medicine and nephrology, hypertensiologist DHL)

Prof. Schmaderer is Senior Consultant in the Department of Nephrology at the TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, specialising in nephrology and hypertension. His research applies retinal microvascular imaging to inflammatory and kidney disease, linking endothelial dysfunction to cardiovascular risk and patient outcomes. The long-standing collaboration with the DSBG centres on the translational use of retinal vessel analysis as a biomarker across inflammatory and cardiovascular conditions.

Projects & Publications:

Wallraven, T., Günthner, R., Ribeiro, A., Alnemer, M., Kotliar, K., Lech, M., ... & Schmaderer, C. (2026). Retinal vessel imaging in inflammatory disease: From endothelial dysfunction to clinical evidence and translation.Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 101472.

University of Oxford — Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), Nuffield Department of Population Health, UK — in collaboration with Dr. Adam Lewandowski (Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Science; Deputy Chief Scientist, UK Biobank

Dr Lewandowski's research uses multimodal, deep-phenotyping approaches to detect early cardiac and vascular changes in young people at cardiovascular risk, with a particular focus on how early-life conditions such as preterm birth and hypertensive pregnancy shape long-term cardiovascular structure and function. The collaboration with the DSBG applies retinal vessel analysis to characterise microvascular health following hypertensive pregnancy, linking the retinal microcirculation to long-term cardiovascular risk.

Projects & Publications:

Physician Optimized Postpartum-Hypertension Treatment (POP-HT)
Clinical Antenatal Randomised Study to Characterise Key Roles of Tetrahydrofolate in Hypertensive Pregnancies (CAREFOL-HT)

Cutler, H. R., Hanssen, H., Hauser, C., Streese, L., Sattwika, P. D., Kitt, J., ... & Leeson, P. (2026). Retinal Vascular Caliber: 6 to 12 Months and 15 to 25 Years Following Hypertensive Pregnancy. Hypertension, 83(8), e27171.

University of Oxford — Preventive Cardiology Research Group & Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, UK — in collaboration with Prof. Paul Leeson (Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine; Consultant Cardiologist, Oxford University Hospitals)

Prof. Leeson heads the Preventive Cardiology Research Group and the Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, which aim to identify and prevent heart disease in young people — particularly those predisposed to hypertension through a family history of preeclampsia or preterm birth. His group combines cardiovascular imaging, young-adult prevention trials and artificial intelligence to detect and manage early cardiovascular risk. The collaboration with the DSBG applies retinal vessel analysis to characterise microvascular health following hypertensive pregnancy, linking the retinal microcirculation to long-term cardiovascular risk.

Projects & Publications:

Physician Optimized Postpartum-Hypertension Treatment (POP-HT)
Clinical Antenatal Randomised Study to Characterise Key Roles of Tetrahydrofolate in Hypertensive Pregnancies (CAREFOL-HT)

Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems), Austria — in collaboration with Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sascha Klee (Head of Department)

Prof. Klee heads the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science at KL Krems, combining a background in biomedical engineering and retinal imaging with expertise in biostatistics and data science. His research spans the optical analysis of retinal vessels at the ocular fundus as diagnostic markers for cardiovascular prevention and the statistical methodology that underpins such measurements. The collaboration with the DSBG centres on the methodological development and validation of retinal vessel analysis, including the reliability and variability of dynamic retinal microvascular measures.

Projects & Publications:

Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany — in collaboration with Dipl.-Ing. Dietmar Link (Research Associate, Biomedical Engineering)

The Biomedical Engineering group at TU Ilmenau's Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics has a long-standing focus on the development of retinal imaging technology and the optical and methodological foundations of retinal vessel analysis. As a research associate in the group, Dietmar Link contributes engineering and imaging-methodology expertise to this work. The collaboration with the DSBG centres on the technical development and validation of retinal vessel analysis, including the reliability of device-based dynamic retinal microvascular measurements.

Projects & Publications:

Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany — in collaboration with Dr.-Ing. Walthard Vilser

Dr Vilser is a pioneer in the development of retinal vessel analysis technology and is associated with Imedos Systems (Jena), whose Static and Dynamic Vessel Analyzer systems form the technical basis for the retinal microvascular assessment used at the DSBG. His work established the optical and methodological foundations for in-vivo measurement of retinal vessel diameters and dynamic, flicker-induced vessel responses. The long-standing collaboration with the DSBG spans the continued technical development and validation of retinal vessel analysis as a biomarker of microvascular health.

Projects & Publications:

Hanssen, H., Streese, L., & Vilser, W. (2022). Retinal vessel diameters and function in cardiovascular risk and disease.Progress in retinal and eye research, 91, 101095.

Research Group Ophthalmology, KU Leuven & Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Belgium — in collaboration with Prof. Ingeborg Stalmans (Head of the Research Group Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Clinic) and Dr Jan Van Eijgen (MD, Research Group Ophthalmology)

The Research Group Ophthalmology at KU Leuven and University Hospitals UZ Leuven, led by Prof. Ingeborg Stalmans, is an internationally recognised centre for glaucoma research, with a strong focus on the retinal microvasculature, ocular imaging and the application of artificial intelligence to retinal image analysis. Prof. Stalmans and Dr Van Eijgen — whose research centres on glaucoma and retinal microvascular function — are jointly responsible, together with the DSBG, for the multicentre HIT-GLAUCOMA trial, which investigates high-intensity interval training as a therapeutic approach in glaucoma.

Projects & Publications:

High-intensity interval training in patients with glaucoma (HIT-GLAUCOMA)

Schuhmann, V., Küttel, J., Van Eijgen, J., Gugleta, K., & Hanssen, H. (2026). Physical activity and exercise in primary open-angle glaucoma: a scoping review.Frontiers in Physiology, 17, 1834649.