Barbara Huijgen

Barbara Huijgen is a Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Groningen, holding dual affiliations with the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (Developmental Psychology Department) and the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Her expertise focuses on talent research in sports, particularly examining the interplay between executive functions, biological maturation, and athletic performance in sports like soccer, tennis, and surfing. She also investigates developmental outcomes in children with congenital heart defects.

Her research integrates psychological, physiological, and tactical dimensions of sports performance. Recent work highlights the influence of psychological pressure on elite athletes and the design of sport-specific assessment tools (e.g., the Tennis Agility Test). She collaborates internationally, evidenced by co-authored papers with institutions in Portugal, Brazil, and Germany.

Key areas of focus include:

• Executive function metrics in youth athletes
• Tactical decision-making in team sports
• Psychological resilience under competitive stress
• Early motor development in pediatric populations

Contact: b.c.h.huijgen@rug.nl