On 07.04.2025, Dr. Lisa Claußen successfully completed her dissertation project with the disputation. As part of her cumulative doctorate, entitled "Acute and chronic effects of metastable resistance training on cognition in older adults", she used three studies to investigate the effects of strength training on unstable surfaces on cognition in older people. Two studies focused on the acute cognitive demands and effects of strength exercises on unstable surfaces compared to stable surfaces in young and older adults. The third study investigated the long-term effects of three different training programs on cognitive performance in older people: a strength training program, a balance training program and a metastable strength training program - a combination of strength and balance challenges.

The results of the studies show that strength exercises on an unstable surface lead to increased cognitive activation and place increased demands on information processing. In particular, selective attention to relevant information and stimuli is required. After ten weeks of training, older people who had undergone metastable strength training showed significant improvements in selective attention. This suggests that the acute demands of training can also have a long-term positive effect on the cognitive performance of older people.

Dr. Lisa Claußen's doctoral thesis is part of research into the effects of physical training on cognition in older people. The results of her three studies can contribute to the development of training programs that help older people to maintain or improve their cognitive performance.

She presented this outstanding research work, which has already been published in the leading sport psychology journals, in her disputation to the four-member examination committee. Following her presentation, she had to defend her work in a scientific discussion with the members of this committee. Dr. Lisa Claußen also mastered this task with flying colors!

The IfSS staff would like to congratulate Dr. Lisa Claußen on passing her doctorate.