Jan Helgerud
Professor in Medicine, Jan Helgerud, is a leading researcher in exercise physiology, has significantly advanced.
Contributions and Research
Professor Helgerud, along with his colleague Jan Hoff, garnered significant recognition for introducing the "4x4" training methodology, later known as the Norwegian Method. This innovative method combines endurance and strength by incorporating four sets of high-intensity intervals across different exercises like walking, cycling, or running, and also includes strength training with heavy weights. Their pioneering research has resulted in crucial advancements in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CAD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions.
International Collaborations and Recognition
Jan Helgerud has published 100+ research articles on exercise and physiology in peer-reviewed international research journals referenced and indexed in the US Department of Health's PubMed database, solidifying his status as a leading authority in the field. In 2002, Helgerud and Hoff established the first master's program in sports science at DMF, which later became the "International Master Degree in Exercise Physiology and Sport Sciences."His work on aerobic interval training has shown positive effects on cardiac function and morphology in both healthy and heart disease patients. Additionally, his innovative research includes studies on aerobic endurance training for farmed salmon, demonstrating comparable heart physiology to mammals.
Responsible advisor for physical training for a large number of Olympic champions, world champions and World Cup winners. Consultant for a number of professional footballers and teams such as Celtic FC, Barcelona FC, Real Madrid FC, Spain, Germany, Leeds FC, Sunderland FC, Aston Villa FC, Schalke 04, Rosenborg BK, Molde FK and a number of other clubs. A number of engagements for the German, English and Spanish Football Associations. Visiting Professor University of California, San Diego 1999-2000, 2004-2005, 2009-2010, 2022-2023, University of Utah 2014-2015.
Importance to our services
As a co-founder, Professor Helgerud's research and innovative 4x4 training methods are vital to our mission, supporting our health programs. His contributions ensure our services are both scientific and practical, driving the success of our health solutions.
Research
Selected research
Selected peer-reviewed studies authored or co-authored by Jan Helgerud, covering high-intensity interval training, cardiovascular function, clinical populations, and maximal strength training.
Stroke volume response during prolonged exercise depends on left ventricular filling: evidence from a β-blockade study.
Laginestra FG, Berg OK, Nyberg SK, Venturelli M, Wang E, Helgerud JAm J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol · 2023DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00293.2022PMID: 37306400
Thirteen healthy young men completed prolonged cycling bouts with and without β1-blockade. Preventing heart-rate drift increased end-diastolic volume and stroke volume, supporting the conclusion that stroke volume during prolonged exercise is tightly linked to left ventricular filling time and loading conditions.
View paper Orthopaedic rehabilitationEarly maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty.
Husby VS, Helgerud J, Bjørgen S, Husby OS, Benum P, Hoff JArch Phys Med Rehabil · 2009DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.04.018PMID: 19801053
A randomized study of 24 total hip arthroplasty patients compared early maximal strength training with conventional rehabilitation. The maximal strength group improved leg press, abduction strength, and rate of force development more than the conventional rehabilitation group, with a trend toward better work efficiency.
View paper Pulmonary diseaseAerobic high intensity one and two legs interval cycling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.
Bjørgen S, Hoff J, Husby VS, Høydal MA, Tjønna AE, Steinshamn S, Richardson RS, Helgerud JEur J Appl Physiol · 2009DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1038-1PMID: 19337746
Nineteen COPD patients completed 24 supervised high-intensity cycling sessions using either one-leg or two-leg intervals. One-leg training produced larger improvements in whole-body VO2peak and peak work rate, indicating a peripheral muscle limitation to VO2peak in this patient group.
View paper Performance physiologyMaximal strength training improves work economy, rate of force development and maximal strength more than conventional strength training.
Heggelund J, Fimland MS, Helgerud J, Hoff JEur J Appl Physiol · 2013DOI: 10.1007/s00421-013-2586-yPMID: 23307029
In an intra-individual comparison, one leg trained with maximal strength training while the other used conventional strength training at equal volume. Maximal strength training produced greater improvements in work economy, one-repetition maximum, and rate of force development.
View paper Peripheral arterial diseasePlantar flexion training primes peripheral arterial disease patients for improvements in cardiac function.
Helgerud J, Wang E, Mosti MP, Wiggen ØN, Hoff JEur J Appl Physiol · 2009DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1011-zPMID: 19238425
Patients with peripheral arterial disease first completed high-intensity plantar flexion intervals, then high-intensity treadmill training. Calf-muscle training improved treadmill VO2peak and time to exhaustion and appeared to prepare patients for later cardiovascular adaptations from whole-body exercise.
View paper COPDMaximal strength training of the legs in COPD: a therapy for mechanical inefficiency.
Hoff J, Tjønna AE, Steinshamn S, Høydal M, Richardson RS, Helgerud JMed Sci Sports Exerc · 2007DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000246989.48729.39PMID: 17277584
Twelve COPD patients were randomized to maximal strength training or normal activity. The training group improved rate of force development, mechanical efficiency, and FEV1, supporting maximal strength training as a useful COPD therapy.
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Haglo H, Wang E, Berg OK, Hoff J, Helgerud J Smartphone-Assisted High-Intensity Interval Training in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth · 2021DOI: 10.2196/28124PMID: 34673536
Forty patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases completed 10 weeks of 4x4 high-intensity interval training either supervised by health professionals or guided by Myworkout GO. Both groups improved VO₂max and health-related quality of life, with no between-group differences.
View paperStøren Ø, Helgerud J, Sæbø M, Støa EM, Bratland-Sanda S, Unhjem RJ, Hoff J, Wang E The Effect of Age on the V˙O2max Response to High-Intensity Interval Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2017DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001070PMID: 27501361
Ninety-four adults from their 20s to 70+ completed 8 weeks of supervised high-intensity interval training. VO₂max increased across all age groups, suggesting short-term training response depends more on initial training status than age.
View paperFimland MS, Helgerud J, Gruber M, Leivseth G, Hoff J Enhanced neural drive after maximal strength training in multiple sclerosis patients. Eur J Appl Physiol · 2010DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1519-2PMID: 20512584
Fourteen multiple sclerosis patients were randomized to maximal strength training or control care. The training group improved maximal voluntary contraction, soleus EMG activity, and neural drive measures without reported adverse effects.
View paperHelgerud J, Thomsen SN, Hoff J, Strandbråten A, Leivseth G, Unhjem R, Wang E Maximal strength training in patients with Parkinson's disease: impact on efferent neural drive, force-generating capacity, and functional performance. J Appl Physiol (1985) · 2020DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00208.2020PMID: 32790593
Twenty-two Parkinson's disease patients received conventional rehabilitation with or without maximal strength training. Only the maximal strength group improved force-generating capacity, neural drive, stair climbing, timed up and go, and self-perceived health and social functioning.
View paperHelgerud J, Karlsen T, Kim WY, Høydal KL, Støylen A, Pedersen H, Brix L, Ringgaard S, Kværness J, Hoff J Interval and strength training in CAD patients. Int J Sports Med · 2011DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1267180PMID: 21072747
Coronary artery disease patients completed either high-intensity aerobic intervals or maximal strength training. Interval training increased peak stroke volume and VO2peak, while maximal strength training improved submaximal walking performance.
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