Boyi Zhang — PhD Candidate, Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne
About
- I am currently a PhD candidate at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Germany, supervised by Prof. Wilhelm Bloch. I lead the LEAP trial on low energy availability in endurance masters athletes.
- My research Citations510h-index8 addresses athlete health and performance across the lifespan through:
- Athlete health and performance — energy availability and REDs
- Ageing, sleep, and health behaviours
- Exercise physiology and training monitoring
- My work combines international cohort studies at the World Masters Athletics Championships, randomised crossover trials, and cell-culture experiments.
BackgroundEducation
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Ph.D. Candidate, Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine
German Sport University Cologne, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Wilhelm Bloch
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M.Ed. in Physical Education and Sports Science
Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Supervisor: Prof. Sulin Cheng
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B.Ed. in Athletic Training
School of Physical Education and Athletic Training, Shanghai University of Sport, China
Supervisor: Prof. Yongming Li
RecentUpdates
I started teaching Diagnostics of Physical Function & Performance (SPG4) as a Teaching Assistant at the German Sport University Cologne.
The LEAP trial started: we began recruiting and testing endurance masters athletes (aged 50–65) on short-term low energy availability.
The LEAP trial received ethics approval from the German Sport University Cologne (No. 008/2026) and was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00039418).
I received the FIT-Prevention Research Prize (1st place) from the Research Institute for Training in Prevention (FIT) in Berlin, Germany.
Our paper entitled “Effectiveness of combined exercise intervention on sedentary behaviour patterns, body composition, and cardiometabolic health among middle-aged adults” was published in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Our paper entitled “Does intensity matter? Insight from divergent adipose tissue molecular responses following exercise” was published in The Journal of Physiology.
Our paper entitled “Weight loss practices, perceptions, and eating disorders among Chinese female adolescent combat sports athletes” was published in International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
Our paper entitled “Plyometric jump training micro- and high-dose effects on amateur basketball players athletic performance: a randomized controlled trial” was published in Frontiers in Physiology.
Our paper entitled “Post-COVID-19 condition in track and field master athletes: severity, symptoms, and associations with quality of life and C-reactive protein levels” was published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
Our presentation on menopausal symptoms in track and field masters athletes received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the Sports Medicine and Health Science Summit in Hamburg, Germany.
Our paper entitled “Rebuttal to Herold et al. regarding using "density," frequency, and "inter-bout interval" in exercise science” was published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
My LEAP project on low energy availability in endurance masters athletes was funded by the University Internal Research Funding (HIFF) of the German Sport University Cologne.
Our paper entitled “Optimal frequency of interrupting prolonged sitting for cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized crossover trials” was published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
Our paper entitled “Effects of integrating stair climbing-based exercise snacks into the campus on feasibility, perceived efficacy, and participation perspectives in inactive young adults” was published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
Our paper entitled “Comment on "exercise snacks and other forms of intermittent physical activity for improving health in adults and older adults: a scoping review"” was published in Sports Medicine.
Our paper entitled “SARS-CoV-2 infection decreases cardiorespiratory fitness and time-trial performance even two months after returning to regular training” was published in Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness.
Our paper entitled “Exercise snacks are a time-efficient alternative to moderate-intensity continuous training for improving cardiorespiratory fitness but not maximal fat oxidation in inactive adults” was published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
I started as a PhD student in Sport Science at the German Sport University Cologne (DSHS), Germany.
I was awarded a fully funded four-year PhD scholarship by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
Our paper entitled “Short-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and return to sport on neuromuscular performance, body composition, and mental health — a case series of well-trained young kayakers” was published in Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness.
Our paper entitled “Changes in health behaviors and conditions during COVID-19 pandemic strict campus lockdown among Chinese university students” was published in Frontiers in Psychology.
Our paper entitled “Assessment of sleep disturbances with the athlete sleep screening questionnaire in Chinese athletes” was published in Sports Medicine and Health Science.
Our paper entitled “Acute effects of FIFA11+ warm-up on agility and leg power of 2nd league female soccer players” was published in Sport Science Research.
Our paper entitled “Bidirectional influence of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on health behaviors and quality of life among Chinese adults” was published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.