Hasselt University
General Information
Hasselt University is the lead partner of the IMR blue zone project. Several departments are involved:
- SMRc Sports Medicine Research Center
- BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine & Life Sciences
- REVAL Research group, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy.
The participating research groups of Hasselt University previously performed numerous studies investigating the potential of exercise therapy & psychosocial interventions in the overall treatment of chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, heart failure, COPD, neurodegenerative disease). Recently, they explored the impact of sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic health and currently the effect of nutrition on the development and treatment of heart/immunological disease is under investigation. Hasselt university offers a MSc. in healthcare for medicine, nursing and biomedical and rehabilitation sciences. Here, UH education researchers use blended and problem-based learning approaches to transfer science-based healthcare topics to students and the lay community. As such, UH offers research groups with expertise in the evaluation of lifestyle variables in larger subject groups and dissemination of health lifestyle tools to the lay community.
Following team members shape the blue zone project at the province Limburg (B):
Bert Op't Eijnde
Ine Nieste
Anouk Agten
Hanne Kindermans
Katleen Bogaerts
Chris Burtin
Role in the interreg blue zone project
The HRP (Research group on Health and Rehabilitation Psychology) focuses on innovative, person-centered, interdisciplinary and technology supported scientific research with regard to the detection, prevention, and rehabilitation of stress-related and/or persistent somatic symptoms in individuals throughout the lifespan, by conducting both experimental (laboratory research) and clinically applied (translational) research, with a focus on patient studies. Our research focus is on: stress-related disorders (including burnout); hyperventilation; functional syndromes; chronic pain and fatigue; stress physiology; symptom perception; neural mechanisms; cognitive behavioral therapy; biofeedback; respiratory psychophysiology; and health psychology.
UHasselt, U-RISE (UHasselt Research on Innovative and Society-engaged Education) draws on the expertise in education research, curriculum design, and healthcare training to analyze existing educational programs and to develop new, evidence-based modules that strengthen lifestyle-related knowledge and preventive health skills among both students and practicing healthcare professionals.
More information about us as a IMR-blue zone partner:
https://www.uhasselt.be/nl/onderzoeksgroepen/reval/psychophysiology-lab
https://www.uhasselt.be/nl/onderzoeksgroepen/reval/gezondheidspromotie-en-beweging