Unraveling the secrets of human movement

Human Movement Sciences Research Master

Human movement is a key issue for today’s society. It shapes our ability to function, interact and live independently — from the cellular level to full-body coordination in dynamic environments. Yet this freedom of movement is not self-evident. In people affected by illness or injury, but also in healthy populations such as children, older adults, athletes or workers, optimising movement is essential for quality of life.

Understanding movement is also critical for building resilience and preventing diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular disease — as well as for enhancing elite performance. Addressing these challenges requires advanced scientific expertise and the ability to translate theory into impact.

In this two-year programme, you will specialise in one of four scientific domains:

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health
Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation
Physiology of Human Performance and Health
Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health

You will complete three advanced courses within your chosen domain. At the same time, you will follow a set of courses focused on developing your academic, methodological, professional and data science skills. This includes in-depth training in research design, data analysis, machine learning, and science communication.

During the second year, you will carry out a full-year Master Research Project (MRP), allowing you to work intensively on a research question of your choice. The MRP is supported by expert supervision, an peer learning. You will conclude with an impact-oriented thesis and present your findings at a research symposium. In addition to becoming well versed in these research areas, you’ll be trained in state-of-the-art research methodologies and advanced statistics. During this programme, you are encouraged to define your own position, and in doing so to become a reflective, critical and committed academic professional. The interactive, small-scale teaching methods used in the programme allow you to have in-depth discussions that meet the level and intensity of a Research Master’s programme. Plus, all the lecturers are renowned experts in their fields of research.

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

Specific information about the courses can be found in the study guide.

VU Online Master's Event

Thursday 26 November 2026

More information about the event

1st year
2nd year

Which specialisation do you choose?

Find out what the different possibilities are within the Research master's programme Human Movement Sciences.

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health
Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation
Physiology of Human Performance and Health
Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health
Teacher training programme (extended option in Dutch)

Summary

Ever wondered how the body moves — and what limits or enhances that movement? This specialisation reveals the mechanics behind human movement, using physics and simulations to understand how muscles, joints and external forces work together. You'll learn to analyse and improve movement, prevent injury, and design tools and interventions across sport, healthcare and rehabilitation.

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health courses

Biomechanical Principles and Methods (6 EC)
Dive into the fundamentals of biomechanics, including inverse dynamics, static optimization, and data collection/processing. Learn how to apply advanced mathematical, mechanical, and programming (Python) skills to analyze and simulate human movement. This course addresses key questions about performance, injury, and assistive technologies, making it essential for understanding how the musculoskeletal system influences movement.

Applied Biomechanics (6 EC)
Apply biomechanical principles to real-world challenges in sports, rehabilitation, and health. This course focuses on practical applications, critical analysis of biomechanical data, and communication of results to both experts and non-experts. You’ll develop problem-solving and collaborative skills while working on real-life questions.

Design and Interpretation of Biomechanical Studies (6 EC)
Develop skills to critically interpret biomechanical data, design experiments, and communicate findings. Through literature-based assignments and discussions, you’ll address complex questions in sports, rehabilitation, and fundamental sciences. This course strengthens your ability to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Summary

How does the brain make the body move — and what happens when that system breaks down? This specialisation focuses on how the nervous system controls movement, for healthy individuals as well as individuals with complex neurological disorders. You'll study brain function, motor control and neurotechnology — gaining the skills to bridge neuroscience and practice in research, innovation and healthcare.

Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation courses

Fundamentals of Movement Neuroscience (6 EC)
Explore the basic principles of movement neuroscience, including neural control of movement, sensory-motor integration, and the role of the central nervous system in human movement. This course provides a solid foundation for understanding how the nervous system governs movement in both healthy and clinical populations.

Neuroscience Methods (6 EC)
Master experimental methods in movement neuroscience, including electromyography, EEG/MEG, (f)MRI, and neurostimulation. You’ll learn the underlying theoretical principles of these techniques, how to analyze and interpret data, and how to choose appropriate methods for addressing research questions in clinical and scientific contexts.

Clinical Movement Neuroscience (6 EC)
Focus on the clinical applications of movement neuroscience, including the assessment and rehabilitation of neurological disorders. This course emphasizes the translation of neuroscience research into clinical practice, helping you understand and address movement impairments in patients.

Summary

What allows elite athletes to excel — and why do others struggle with basic physical tasks? This specialisation explores how the body produces and sustains movement, from muscle function and energy systems to the effects of training, ageing and disease. You'll apply this knowledge in both sports and clinical contexts, preparing for careers in exercise physiology, rehabilitation and performance research.

Physiology of Human Performance and Health courses

Integrative Neuromuscular Performance (6 EC)
Understand how muscle contractile properties and neuromuscular activation patterns interact to influence power production at the single-fibre, muscle, and whole-body levels. This course explores the dynamic interplay between contractile mechanics, neuromuscular activation, cellular bioenergetics, oxygen transport, and fatigue-related processes, providing a comprehensive view of human performance.

Adaptations in Training, Ageing, and Disuse (6 EC)
Translate physiological principles into practical solutions for diverse populations, such as elite athletes, patients, and individuals in extreme environments. Develop evidence-based exercise recommendations and learn to communicate complex physiological insights to non-scientific audiences, such as coaches, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals.

Translational Exercise Physiology (6 EC)
Translate physiological principles into practical solutions for diverse populations, such as elite athletes, patients, and individuals in extreme environments. Develop evidence-based exercise recommendations and learn to communicate complex physiological insights to non-scientific audiences, such as coaches, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals.

Summary

What drives people to perform under pressure, stay motivated, or recover from setbacks? In this specialisation, you’ll explore the psychological side of performance, learning and well-being across sports, health, physical education and high-stakes professions like policing or the military. You will apply theories on resilience, motor learning and mental health in real-world settings — and learn how psychology enhances motor performance, development and recovery.

Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health courses

Sport, Performance, and Exercise Psychology (6 EC)
Explore psychological theories and interventions to optimize performance, motivation, and well-being in sports and exercise contexts. This course covers the mental aspects of athletic performance, helping you understand how psychological principles can enhance both individual and team success.

Skill Acquisition and Talent Development (6 EC)
Apply contemporary theories of skill acquisition and talent development to optimize learning in sport, physical education, and other domains. Address complex problems, interpret skill progression, and explore ethical considerations in talent development. This course prepares you to design effective learning environments for skill mastery.

Behavioural Research in Social Contexts (6 EC)
Learn to design and conduct behavioral research in real-world settings, such as physical education, sport, and mental health. Address the challenges of ecological validity and translate research outcomes into societal impact. This course emphasizes the importance of context in understanding human movement behavior.

Summary

Are you aiming for a career in higher education? If so, you have the option to extend your Master’s programme in the second year by enrolling in the 30EC teacher training programme in Human Movement Sciences. Please note that this additional track is offered in Dutch only, and a limited number of students are admitted each year. More information about the teacher training programme in Human Movement Sciences is available here.

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health

Summary

Ever wondered how the body moves — and what limits or enhances that movement? This specialisation reveals the mechanics behind human movement, using physics and simulations to understand how muscles, joints and external forces work together. You'll learn to analyse and improve movement, prevent injury, and design tools and interventions across sport, healthcare and rehabilitation.

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health courses

Biomechanical Principles and Methods (6 EC)
Dive into the fundamentals of biomechanics, including inverse dynamics, static optimization, and data collection/processing. Learn how to apply advanced mathematical, mechanical, and programming (Python) skills to analyze and simulate human movement. This course addresses key questions about performance, injury, and assistive technologies, making it essential for understanding how the musculoskeletal system influences movement.
Applied Biomechanics (6 EC)
Apply biomechanical principles to real-world challenges in sports, rehabilitation, and health. This course focuses on practical applications, critical analysis of biomechanical data, and communication of results to both experts and non-experts. You’ll develop problem-solving and collaborative skills while working on real-life questions.
Design and Interpretation of Biomechanical Studies (6 EC)
Develop skills to critically interpret biomechanical data, design experiments, and communicate findings. Through literature-based assignments and discussions, you’ll address complex questions in sports, rehabilitation, and fundamental sciences. This course strengthens your ability to bridge the gap between research and practice.
Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation

Summary

How does the brain make the body move — and what happens when that system breaks down? This specialisation focuses on how the nervous system controls movement, for healthy individuals as well as individuals with complex neurological disorders. You'll study brain function, motor control and neurotechnology — gaining the skills to bridge neuroscience and practice in research, innovation and healthcare.

Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation courses

Fundamentals of Movement Neuroscience (6 EC)
Explore the basic principles of movement neuroscience, including neural control of movement, sensory-motor integration, and the role of the central nervous system in human movement. This course provides a solid foundation for understanding how the nervous system governs movement in both healthy and clinical populations.
Neuroscience Methods (6 EC)
Master experimental methods in movement neuroscience, including electromyography, EEG/MEG, (f)MRI, and neurostimulation. You’ll learn the underlying theoretical principles of these techniques, how to analyze and interpret data, and how to choose appropriate methods for addressing research questions in clinical and scientific contexts.
Clinical Movement Neuroscience (6 EC)
Focus on the clinical applications of movement neuroscience, including the assessment and rehabilitation of neurological disorders. This course emphasizes the translation of neuroscience research into clinical practice, helping you understand and address movement impairments in patients.
Physiology of Human Performance and Health

Summary

What allows elite athletes to excel — and why do others struggle with basic physical tasks? This specialisation explores how the body produces and sustains movement, from muscle function and energy systems to the effects of training, ageing and disease. You'll apply this knowledge in both sports and clinical contexts, preparing for careers in exercise physiology, rehabilitation and performance research.

Physiology of Human Performance and Health courses

Integrative Neuromuscular Performance (6 EC)
Understand how muscle contractile properties and neuromuscular activation patterns interact to influence power production at the single-fibre, muscle, and whole-body levels. This course explores the dynamic interplay between contractile mechanics, neuromuscular activation, cellular bioenergetics, oxygen transport, and fatigue-related processes, providing a comprehensive view of human performance.
Adaptations in Training, Ageing, and Disuse (6 EC)
Translate physiological principles into practical solutions for diverse populations, such as elite athletes, patients, and individuals in extreme environments. Develop evidence-based exercise recommendations and learn to communicate complex physiological insights to non-scientific audiences, such as coaches, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals.
Translational Exercise Physiology (6 EC)
Translate physiological principles into practical solutions for diverse populations, such as elite athletes, patients, and individuals in extreme environments. Develop evidence-based exercise recommendations and learn to communicate complex physiological insights to non-scientific audiences, such as coaches, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals.
Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health

Summary

What drives people to perform under pressure, stay motivated, or recover from setbacks? In this specialisation, you’ll explore the psychological side of performance, learning and well-being across sports, health, physical education and high-stakes professions like policing or the military. You will apply theories on resilience, motor learning and mental health in real-world settings — and learn how psychology enhances motor performance, development and recovery.

Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health courses

Sport, Performance, and Exercise Psychology (6 EC)
Explore psychological theories and interventions to optimize performance, motivation, and well-being in sports and exercise contexts. This course covers the mental aspects of athletic performance, helping you understand how psychological principles can enhance both individual and team success.
Skill Acquisition and Talent Development (6 EC)
Apply contemporary theories of skill acquisition and talent development to optimize learning in sport, physical education, and other domains. Address complex problems, interpret skill progression, and explore ethical considerations in talent development. This course prepares you to design effective learning environments for skill mastery.
Behavioural Research in Social Contexts (6 EC)
Learn to design and conduct behavioral research in real-world settings, such as physical education, sport, and mental health. Address the challenges of ecological validity and translate research outcomes into societal impact. This course emphasizes the importance of context in understanding human movement behavior.
Teacher training programme (extended option in Dutch)

Summary

Are you aiming for a career in higher education? If so, you have the option to extend your Master’s programme in the second year by enrolling in the 30EC teacher training programme in Human Movement Sciences. Please note that this additional track is offered in Dutch only, and a limited number of students are admitted each year. More information about the teacher training programme in Human Movement Sciences is available here.

Second year

The second year is entirely dedicated to a research project of your choice. Since extensive experience in high-quality research is indispensable for a career in research, you’ll be aiming for a first-class project that eventually results in a scientific publication. This may be at the VU Amsterdam or in collaboration with another institute anywhere in the world.

The Master's programme comprises 120 EC. The study load of each Master's course is 6 EC. The second year is fully dedicated to the research project of 60 EC. The program is set up in a way that it is possible to further attune the programme to your individual interests.

After completing your degree, you’ll be well positioned to embark on any research-based career in the field of human movement. As a graduate from the Human Movement Sciences Research Master’s programme, you’ll be ready to take up a PhD position at an academic institution, or to work in a research & development environment for a leading company.

Explore your future prospects

Human Movement Sciences Research Master

Biomechanics in Sports, Exercise, and Health

Movement Neuroscience for Health and Rehabilitation

Physiology of Human Performance and Health

Psychology in Sports, Performance, and Health

Teacher training programme (extended option in Dutch)

Structure of the programme

Change your future with the Human Movement Sciences Research Master’s programme

Change your future with the Human Movement Sciences Research Master’s programme

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