Thessa Hilgenkamp, PhD

Thessa Hilgenkamp is Associate Professor at Hanze and conducts research into physical activity, physical health and healthy ageing among people with intellectual disabilities, particularly people with Down syndrome.

n her research, she connects exercise and cardiovascular physiology with questions around physical functioning, participation and inclusion. Her work ranges from investigating underlying physiological mechanisms to developing and evaluating physical activity and lifestyle interventions. She increasingly seeks to connect this work to everyday life: how can good physical health and sufficient opportunities to be physically active contribute to meaningful participation and quality of life? At Hanze, Hilgenkamp focuses on research that, together with people with intellectual disabilities, professionals and community partners, contributes to healthy, active and inclusive communities.