Team Sport and Exercise Psychology
© AB Sportpsychologie
Diagnostics and Consultation
© Medienlabor IfS
Research and Teaching
© Bastian Arnholdt (Medienlabor IfS)

Welcome


to the Department of Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Muenster. We study human behavior and cognition in sports (causes, conditions, objectives) and try to predict and influence the behavior of athletes. On the following pages, you will find information on our current research projects, courses, examinations, our team, and links. Further, you can find information on sport psychological support and counseling. If you are interested in an internship, please send a motivational letter, CV and a transcript of records via email to Teba Santos

You can find a list of the latest publications of our team here: publications (2006 - today)

We hope that you will find all the important information you need. In case there are any questions left, please do not hesitate to talk to us directly.

Prof. Bernd Strauss
Head of the Department

Dept. of Sport, exercise and Health Uni Basel
© Markus Gerber

Dr. Lena Henning at the University of Basel

Dr. Lena Henning spent three weeks as a visiting researcher with the “Psychosocial Health and Physical Activity” research group (Prof. Markus Gerber) at the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health at the University of Basel. During her time in Basel, Lena Henning gained insights into the group’s research activities while also presenting and discussing her own current work at a research colloquium. The intensive exchange sparked new ideas and opportunities for future research projects.

 

© Uni MS - Kathrin Kottke

Barbara Halberschmidt in the University of Münster's Summer Series

In the 2026 summer series “Sommer, Sonne, Kaktus” members of the university describe their relationship with the warm season. Not in a strictly scientific way, but with a lighthearted touch. Part 4 (Sommerserie 2026: „Im Sommer wachsen Ideen“) is by sports scientist Dr. Barbara Halberschmidt, who, like all the participants, poses for the camera with the eponymous cactus from our Botanical Garden.

All parts of the summer series can be found here.

© Barbara Halberschmidt

Successful Dissertation Defense

On July 03, 2026, Birte Brinkmöller successfully defended her dissertation in the field of sports psychology with the title "Talent selection in sports: A comparative analysis with personnel selection in business". Her thesis examined the influence of spectators on athletic performance. She was examined by Prof. Dr. Bernd Strauß, Prof. Dennis Dreiskämper from the TU Dortmund, Prof. Oliver Höner from the University of Tübingen und Prof. Norbert Hagemann von der University of Kassel. 

 

© Jenny Fastnacht

Students from the Anne-Frank-Gymnasium Werne visited the IfS

As part of their project days, on June 10, 2026, about 20 students from the Anne Frank Gymnasium visited the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences (IfS) together with their teacher and IfS alumna Jenny Fastnacht.

During their visit, the participants gained fascinating insights into the research and practical applications of sports psychology. Dr. Stephanie Bünemann and Birte Brinkmöller from the Department of Sport and Exercise Psychology presented current topics and areas of application in their field and provided an overview of their scientific work.