Sport Psychology at Leipzig University
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Sport Psychology at Leipzig University
@spopsyle.bsky.social
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Updates from the Chair of Sport Psychology at Leipzig University – stay informed about our research, teaching, and team. | Contact: https://www.spowi.uni-leipzig.de/en/sport-psychology
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Last week, our colleague Patricia Frytz represented our team at the 6th Sports & Exercise Medicine Symposium in Leipzig. In a 5-minute pitch, she presented her current research on sleep parameters in elite athletes. A great opportunity for exchange, new ideas, and interdisciplinary networking!
Collage showing three panels for the 6th Symposium for Sports and Exercise Medicine in Leipzig: the left panel features an illustrated runner and medical graphics with event details in German; the center panel shows a lecture hall filled with attendees listening to a presentation; the right panel displays the title slide for Patricia Frytz' research talk on sleep and elite athletes, including event date and logos.
November 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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Our Anne-Marie Elbe received an award for her outstanding commitment to doctoral supervision from the Vice-Rector for Talent Development Brigitte Latzko. Leipzig University’s supervisor award was hosted on November 12 at the Graduate Academy Leipzig🎓
A smiling woman, Prof. Anne-Marie Elbe stands indoors holding a certificate and flowers, positioned between a large screen displaying “Supervisor Award Shortlist” and a banner for Universität Leipzig’s Graduate Academy. The setting looks like an award or recognition event.
November 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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📅 Save the date! Professor Athanasios G. Papaioannou (University of Thessaly 🇬🇷) joins our Faculty Colloquium to speak about "Evidence-based tools to promote self-regulation and physical activity in youth: The European IMPACT project"
📍25 Nov, 3:30 pm, Senatssaal, Campus Jahnallee, Leipzig University
A young person wearing a blue shirt plays basketball outdoors, preparing to shoot the ball. The background shows an urban sports court with apartment buildings and blurred figures, alongside graphic elements and the UNIVERSITÄT LEIPZIG Faculty of Sport Science logo. Text announces a colloquium on evidence-based tools for youth self-regulation and physical activity, featuring Athanasios G. Papaioannou from the University of Thessaly, Greece. Photo: Mira Kireeva/Unsplash
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
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Part of the academic programme! At the dvs-Hochschultag 2025 in Münster, Anne-Marie Elbe, Alexandra Ziegeldorf, and Sascha Leisterer-Härtig contributed to the symposia, poster sessions, and presentations – and it was such a pleasure. A big thank you to @uni-muenster.de! #dvs2025 #SportPsychology
Anne-Marie Elbe stands at the front of a classroom, gesturing while presenting to an attentive audience. Anne-Marie wears a pink sweater and a badge showing their name and university. Photo: Stephanie Bünemann Alexandra Ziegeldorf engages in conversation with two other attendees at a busy poster session, wearing a conference badge and holding a cup of coffee in hand amid the networking buzz. Photo: Peter Leßmann/Markella Moraki Pia Zajonz, Sascha Leisterer-Härtig, and Christian Hungerecker stand in front of a projection screen displaying the title of their session on the practical value of interpersonal emotion regulation by coaches, with logos of Leipzig University and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin visible. Photo: private A large indoor tent filled with poster boards and participants discussing research. People are clustered in small groups, actively exchanging ideas during the poster session. Photo: Peter Leßmann/Markella Moraki
October 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
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Sleep isn’t just rest – it’s part of our well-being. 💤
A new study by Patricia Frytz, Anne-Marie Elbe, and Lucie Nikoleizig developed and validated the Need Satisfaction in Sleep Scale, a brief tool to assess autonomy, competence & relatedness in the sleep context.
👉 doi.org/10.3389/fpsy...
A person sleeping in bed. They are lying on their back, covered with white or light gray bedding, including a comforter and pillows. The lighting is soft and natural. Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash.
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
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Congratulations to Alexandra Ziegeldorf on her election as Speaker of the dvs Commission “Young Researchers” at the dvs-Hochschultag 2025 in Münster this September! 🎉 We’re excited to see her bring energy and leadership to this role. #dvs2025 #dvsHochschultag #SportPsychology #dvsYoungResearchers
A group of young professionals – the dvs Commission “Young Researchers“ – stands together indoors, all wearing conference badges and casual academic attire, smiling at the camera during dvs-Hochschultag in Münster. Photo: Till Koppmann
October 28, 2025 at 10:18 AM
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The dvs-Young Researcher workshop at the dvs-Hochschultag 2025 in Münster this September was truly inspiring! As a mentor, @anne-marieelbe.bsky.social shared her experiences and expertise with emerging academics. #dvs2025 #dvsHochschultag #SportPsychology #dvsYoungResearchers
A large group photo outdoors shows dozens of attendees of the dvs-Young Researcher workshop in conference badges. They‘re posing together on a grassy area, some waving, under a partly cloudy sky at dvs Hochschultag. Photo: Samuel Tickell
October 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
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A heartfelt thank you to the organising team at the @uni-muenster.de! Our team members were actively involved in the dvs-Hochschultag 2025, contributing with engaging talks, mentoring, a successful election, and plenty of social exchange. We can only say: it was fantastic! #dvs2025 #dvsHochschultag
A grand baroque palace with numerous people in front, some in conference attire, walk towards the entrance amid autumnal trees – a classic view of Münster's Schloss during the conference. Photo: Peter Leßmann/Markella Moraki
October 24, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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A warm welcome to Maëlle Bracco from Université Claude Bernard Lyon! 🌍 Her research stay at our department opens up exciting new opportunities for collaboration between the Sport Psychology labs in Lyon and Leipzig.
October 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
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In September, @anne-marieelbe.bsky.social presented our master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology and its integrated double degree at the #DAAD100 conference in Berlin. 🎓 Thanks to #DAAD funding for scholarships and guest visits, our programme keeps growing and inspiring! 🌍✨
Four seated panellists are listening to Anne-Marie Elbe presenting our master’s programme in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the DAAD conference. The main screen behind them displays 'Kurzdarstellung UNIVERSITÄT LEIPZIG' along with a photo of the university entrance. DAAD 100th anniversary banners are visible on both sides of the stage. Anne-Marie Elbe stands at a podium with DAAD branding, delivering a talk. The podium sign reads 'Zukunft braucht Zusammenarbeit – Internationalisierung stärken – Perspektiven schaffen' and lists conference details for Berlin, September 2025. A DAAD 100th anniversary banner is visible in the background. Five panellists are seated in a row on stage during a DAAD conference session. Behind them, a large screen displays a thank-you slide with contact information for Anne-Marie Elbe, Professor of Sport Psychology at Leipzig University. Nadja Walter and Anne-Marie Elbe pose in front of a DAAD 100th anniversary banner. Both wear blue DAAD lanyards and the event backdrop that reads: 1925-2025 #DAAD100.
October 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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From Research to Practice: The #No2Doping Manual is out! 🚀📘 Our work on doping prevention in youth & elite sport is now available for long-term impact. Thanks to the BISp, Marc Wonneberger & all athletes, coaches, teachers & clubs! 🔗 Read more & access the manual (in German): bit.ly/no2doping-ma...
Title page of a German manual published by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, titled 'Wertebasierte Dopingprävention: Ein Manual zur Durchführung der No2Doping-Einheiten mit Jugendlichen.' The authors listed are Theresa Manges, Daniel Jensen, Kevin Seidel, Felix Hamann, Nadja Walter, and Anne-Marie Elbe. The top section includes the institute's logo and the slogan 'Wir helfen dem Sport'. Below, there is an image of two athletes’ hands passing a blue relay baton, representing teamwork and fair competition.
October 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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🎯🩸 Our PhD student Katharina Fischer led the development of a 12-item Menstrual Cycle Knowledge Questionnaire for female athletes & coaches!

✅ tested on 700+ participants
✅ reliable & scientifically validated
✅ supports menstrual cycle education in sports

🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
A woman in workout clothes is sitting cross-legged on an exercise mat, holding a red fitness ball.
September 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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Congrats to our colleague Alexandra Ziegeldorf on successfully defending her PhD thesis! 🎓 Her work explores how family socio-economic factors and the Family Health Climate shape children’s physical activity. Thanks to all who made the event so special by baking, decorating, and cheering for Alex!
Alex is standing in front of a screen while committee members ask questions about her thesis. Anne-Marie Elbe and Alexandra Ziegeldorf smile at the camera after Alex’s successful PhD defence. Behind them, the presentation slide shows the title: “Associations of family socio-economic indicators, Family Health Climate, and the physical activity behavior of primary school-aged children.” Alexandra Ziegeldorf smiles at the camera, wearing a graduation cap after her PhD defence, with her thesis title slide in the background. A group photo of our team gathered around the smiling PhD candidate Alexandra Ziegeldorf after her successful PhD defence. The background shows the presentation’s title slide.
August 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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🧠 What makes PhD supervision in #SportPsychology work?

This study by Franziska Lautenbach, @anne-marieelbe.bsky.social, & colleagues shows: regular meetings, clear agreements & enough research time boost satisfaction. Most experiences were positive, but some gaps remain.

🔗 doi.org/10.1026/2941...
Two women meeting in person, discussing notes during doctoral supervision.
August 7, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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In her master's thesis, our former double-degree student Tereza Vítková explored how compulsive exercise and physical activity manifest in people with eating disorders, before and after outpatient treatment.
🔗 Read the full article, co-authored by Nadja Walter and colleagues: doi.org/10.1080/1612...
Sportive woman sitting on the floor at home after weight training, with a digital scale, an apple and a measuring tape.
July 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
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We joined the @ecssofficial.bsky.social Congress in beautiful Rimini, Italy 🇮🇹🌞🍝!

@anne-marieelbe.bsky.social contributed as a Scientific Board member, Patricia Frytz presented on athletes’ sleep (Young Investigator Award), and Chi-Lun Tsai (Henry) shared part of his PhD on self-conscious emotions.
Five members of the ECSS Scientific Board and Scientific Committee – Pierre-Nicolas Lemyre, Anne-Marie Elbe, Andy Lane, Sally Fenton, and Maurizio Bertollo (from left to right) – are smiling at the camera in a brightly lit hallway. Patricia Frytz is giving a talk on athletes' sleep as part of the Young Investigator Award competition at the ECCS Congress 2025 in Rimini. She is standing next to a presentation that reads "Basic psychological need satisfaction during the day as a protective factor regarding athletes' sleep quality and sleep deficit". Chi-Lun Tsai (Henry) presenting research on self-conscious emotions in athletes at the ECSS Congress 2025 in Rimini, with a projected slide titled “The Role of Self-Conscious Emotions in Athletes: A Systematic Review Based on Ecological System Theory” Gantima Praisan, Patricia Frytz, Anne-Marie Elbe, and Chi-Lun Tsai (Henry) [L to R] are smiling at the camera at the ECSS Congress 2025 in Rimini.
July 8, 2025 at 1:21 PM
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🌊 What is it like to dive deep on a single breath? A new study led by our #PhDstudent Bilguun Choimaa explores the lived experience of #freediving through embodied #phenomenology. Key insight: Freediving enables a unique state of presence, deep relaxation, and focused awareness. 📘 bit.ly/dive4free
Two freedivers, a man and a woman, are ascending from the depths.
July 2, 2025 at 12:32 PM
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Last week, the students of the fourth cohort of our Master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology wrapped up their first year with a celebration on campus. 🎉

They came together not to say goodbye, but to celebrate what they’ve shared – and to look ahead. 💫
A group photo of the 4th cohort of the Master's students in Sport and Exercise Psychology and our team, smiling at the camera in a classroom during their end-of-year celebration. Our team of lecturers and students stand in front of a presentation showing a group photo of the students. The lecturers are holding the thank-you gifts they received, and some of the students are applauding. A card containing thank you notes written by the students in different languages for our team of lecturers. A homemade cake decorated with “SEP” in chocolate lettering, surrounded by other snacks and sweet treats that the students served at the farewell party.
June 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM
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Last week, our team came together in the garden of one of our colleagues for a relaxed barbecue to (almost) wrap up the summer semester. We shared delicious homemade food, good conversations, and plenty of sunshine. Thank you to Lucie for hosting and to everyone who made it such a lovely evening!🌞🍽️💬
A group photo of our team gathered around a long outdoor table in a sunny garden, enjoying a barbecue. Some are sitting on benches, others standing behind the table, all smiling at the camera. The table is set with food and drinks, and a buffet is visible on the side. In the background are hedges, a white garden wall, and modern houses.
June 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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A new study followed 497 kids from grades 1–4 and found clear patterns in physical activity. Surprisingly, girls and kids with highly educated mothers were more likely to stay inactive. Family education & health climate play a major role early on.

👉 www.frontiersin.org/journals/spo...
A man and two children ride skateboards and a bike on a park path, illustrating family physical activity. Image by Petr from Pixabay
June 24, 2025 at 10:58 AM
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🎉 Congrats to our DAAD scholarship recipients 🎉

Last week, five of our master's students received their @daadworldwide.bsky.social scholarship certificates! This funding will support our double-degree students in their upcoming semester abroad at our partner university – the University of Thessaly!
June 4, 2025 at 9:29 AM
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Master’s students from our Sport & Exercise Psychology programme and ‪@unihalle.bsky.social‬ joined an Open Day at #RBLeipzig Academy. ⚽ They explored the #SoccerBot360, computer-assisted cognitive tests, and observed a training session. Thanks to Dr Nils Gatzmaga, Niklas Neek, and Pascal Mattke!
Group of Sport and Exercise Psychology master’s students and Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg students posing outside RB Leipzig arena in front of the Red Bull logo. RB Leipzig expert demonstrates the SoccerBot360 training to the students. He is standing on turf inside a circular screen displaying soccer stats and leaderboards. Next to him there is a football and he is holding an iPad. RB Leipzig expert demonstrates computer-assisted cognitive training to students gathered in a gymnasium. Group of Sport and Exercise Psychology master’s students and Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg students posing outside RB Leipzig arena, smiling and waving at the camera.
May 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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We warmly congratulate Simon Knöbel on successfully defending his PhD thesis!

"The Influence of Soccer-Specific Conditions and Emotions on Executive Functions in Elite Youth Players" was supervised by our Prof @anne-marieelbe.bsky.social‬ & Prof Franzi Lautenbach from ‪@humboldtuni.bsky.social‬ 🎓
May 28, 2025 at 9:28 AM
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It has been another exciting week for us! We were delighted to welcome @dr-ani-chroni.bsky.social and Alexander Latinjak. Both presented their latest research, and Alexander introduced our students to his #PsychMapping framework. We enjoyed spending quality time with these two dear colleagues!
Stiliani "Ani" Chroni and Nadja Walter stand front and centre with a group of smiling students after a workshop at Leipzig University. Nadja Walter, Alexander Latinjak, Stiliani 'Ani' Chroni, and Anne-Marie Elbe (from left to right) sit smiling around a table with drinks in a cosy restaurant, enjoying a casual meeting after a day full of research presentations.
May 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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This week, we had the pleasure of hosting sleep psychologist Daniel Kay (Brigham Young University)! 🧠💤 He joined us for a visit to the Wundt museum and gave an inspiring talk on the importance of sleep value and resilience. We also discussed exciting opportunities for future collaboration with him.
Daniel Kay and Patricia Frytz at the Wilhelm Wundt Room in Leipzig. Patricia Frytz, Joleen Meißner, Chi-Lun Tsai (Henry), and Ehsan Shamaeli at the Wilhelm Wundt Room in Leipzig. Patricia Frytz and Daniel Kay in front of Daniel's presentation, entitled: "Sleep Value and Sleep Resilience are Important Dimensions of Sleep Health"
May 15, 2025 at 8:42 AM