The Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) visited the renowned University of Jyväskylä in Finland from November 17 to 21, 2025. Prof. Dr. Karsten Köhler, together with Dominik Eiban, a Student Assistant at the Professorship, and a select group of ten TUM students, took part in a diverse academic exchange on current issues in sports and health sciences as part of an Erasmus+ funded Blended Intensive Program (BIP).
A two-day in-person program took place in the run-up to a conference. Prof. Köhler designed two courses on the topic of “Metabolism and Training,” which were supplemented by practical demonstrations. A total of around 40 students from various European partner universities took part in this preliminary program. “Our students were incredibly engaged in the subject matter and participated very actively,” emphasizes Prof. Köhler. “It was a great opportunity for them to exchange ideas with international experts, but also to make new contacts and learn together.”
A highlight of the week was participation in the 25th International Conference on “Inter-Individual Variation in Responses to Resistance Exercise Training”, organized by Prof. Juha Ahtiainen (University of Jyväskylä) and Prof. Michael Roberts (Auburn University). Here, the latest findings on the mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy, genetically determined training adaptations, and the individuality of strength training responses were presented and discussed
“The University of Jyväskylä is one of the most renowned sports science faculties in Europe and the world,” says Prof. Köhler. “For our department, it is a strategically important partner in international cooperation.”
In addition to scientific training, the stay offered a particularly collaborative and open atmosphere. In practice-oriented workshops and a “journal club,” the students intensively examined current studies and gained valuable insights into research and the application of modern training methods.
“The atmosphere was open, warm, and very collaborative - especially in the exchange with other students,” Prof. Köhler continues. “That motivates us and makes us eager for future joint projects.”
The trip thus not only strengthened the international visibility of the Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition, and Health, but also the professional and personal skills of the participating students. Further activities with the international partner institutions are already being planned.
To the event website of the 25th International Conference of the University of Jyväskylä
To the homepage of the Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Karsten Köhler
Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Am Olympiacampus 11
80809 München
phone: 089 289 24488
e-mail: karsten.koehler(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photos: private