Jan Hoff
Professor in Medicine, Jan Hoff, is a distinguished expert in exercise science, has made groundbreaking contributions.
Contributions and Research
Dr. Jan Hoff, alongside his esteemed colleague Jan Helgerud, has made remarkable strides in the realm of exercise science. Known for his profound expertise in sports physiology, Dr. Hoff introduced the "4x4" training methodology, later known as the Norwegian Method. This method, which integrates high-intensity interval training with strength exercises, has become a cornerstone in both athletic training and medical rehabilitation.
His research has been instrumental in developing treatment protocols for chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease (CAD). His approach focuses on enhancing the efficacy of physical training in improving patients' health outcomes and overall quality of life.
International Recognition
Jan Hoff 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. Visiting professor at the University of California, San Diego (2000-2001, 2005-2006) and the University of Utah (2009-2010)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.
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. Is the researcher behind the 4x4 training concept for performance development and for treatment in medicine together with Professor Jan Helgerud.
Importance to our services
As a co-founder, Dr. Hoff'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, drives the success of our health solutions.
Research
Selected research
Selected peer-reviewed studies authored or co-authored by Jan Hoff, covering high-intensity interval training, cardiovascular function, clinical populations, and maximal strength training.
Early 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
Patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty were assigned to maximal strength training or conventional rehabilitation. The study found that early maximal strength training, starting one week after surgery, was feasible and led to greater recovery of muscular strength, with indications of improved work efficiency compared with conventional rehabilitation.
View paper COPDAerobic 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
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease completed supervised high-intensity interval cycling using either one-leg or two-leg exercise. One-leg interval cycling produced greater improvements in peak oxygen uptake and maximal work rate, suggesting that peripheral muscular limitations may restrict whole-body exercise capacity in COPD.
View paper Strength TrainingMaximal 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
Untrained or moderately trained men trained one leg with maximal strength training and the other with conventional strength training over eight weeks. Maximal strength training led to larger improvements in work economy, one-repetition maximum, and rate of force development than conventional strength training with a similar training volume.
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 performed high-intensity plantar flexion training followed by high-intensity treadmill training. The study found that targeted plantar flexion training improved peak oxygen uptake and walking capacity, and appeared to prepare patients for further cardiovascular adaptations during 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
The study examined whether maximal strength training of the legs could improve mechanical efficiency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The findings indicated that heavy strength training with maximal intended force development can improve strength, work economy, and functional exercise capacity in COPD patients.
View paper Digital Exercise GuidanceSmartphone-Assisted High-Intensity Interval Training in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial.
Haglo H, Wang E, Berg OK, Hoff J, Helgerud JJMIR Mhealth Uhealth · 2021DOI: 10.2196/28124PMID: 34673536
Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease were assigned to either supervised high-intensity interval training or smartphone-assisted self-managed training with the Myworkout GO app. Both approaches produced comparable improvements in maximal oxygen uptake and health-related quality of life, supporting smartphone-assisted exercise as a feasible alternative to supervised training.
View paperShow more research
Støren Ø, Helgerud J, Sæbø M, Støa EM, Bratland-Sanda S, Unhjem RJ, Hoff J, Wang E The Effect of Age on the VO₂max Response to High-Intensity Interval Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2017DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001070PMID: 27501361
The study investigated how age influences the maximal oxygen uptake response to high-intensity interval training. The results showed that VO₂max can improve across adult age groups, while baseline training status and initial fitness level influence the magnitude of the training response.
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
Patients with multiple sclerosis completed maximal strength training to assess neuromuscular adaptations. The study found improved maximal strength and evidence of enhanced neural drive, suggesting that heavy strength training can improve force-generating capacity in patients with impaired neuromuscular activation.
View paperHelgerud J, Thomsen SN, Hoff J, Strandbråten A, Leivseth G, Unhjem RJ, 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 · 2020DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00208.2020PMID: 32790593
Patients with Parkinson’s disease were randomized to conventional rehabilitation with or without maximal strength training. Adding maximal strength training improved efferent neural drive, maximal strength, rate of force development, and functional performance compared with conventional rehabilitation alone.
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
Patients with coronary artery disease completed either high-intensity aerobic interval training or maximal strength training. The study examined how interval training affected stroke volume and aerobic capacity, and how strength training affected mechanical efficiency, supporting targeted exercise as part of cardiac rehabilitation.
View paper