Eva D'Hondt

Eva D'Hondt is a distinguished academic at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where she serves in the Faculty of Movement and Sport Sciences. She leads the research group "Movement and Nutrition for Health and Performance" and holds additional leadership positions including Department Chair and Head of Research Group. Her extensive research portfolio spans over 226 publications and she has secured multiple research grants totaling millions in funding.

Dr. D'Hondt earned her PhD in Physical Education and Movement Sciences and previously held positions at Ghent University as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2011-2013) and FWO PhD Fellow (2007-2011). She currently maintains an honorary research assistant position at Ghent University while leading major research initiatives at VUB.

Her research focuses on motor control, motor learning, and motor development in children, with particular emphasis on kinanthropometry, childhood obesity, and the relationship between physical activity and health. Her work bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical applications for improving children's motor competence and overall health.

Dr. D'Hondt's recent research has emphasized toddler motor development, aquatic literacy, and inter-limb asymmetry in athletes. She leads major projects including the 1-2-3-MOVE! initiative focused on motor competence in toddlers and the ALFAC project addressing aquatic literacy in children across Europe. Her work demonstrates a consistent pattern of interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application of research findings.

• Gaston Beunen VBSW price for young promising researchers (2021)
• Public Young Investigator Award PhD student (2023)
• Young Investigators Award (YIA): Poster presentaties, 1ste plaats (2009)

Dr. D'Hondt actively mentors PhD students including Lore Daelman and Lisa Mertens through joint VUB-UGent doctoral projects. She has supervised approximately 90 students throughout her career. Her research has attracted significant funding through projects like BASGO29 (MOVE research group funding until 2029) and FWOSBO55 (1-2-3-MOVE! project).

She leads the MOVE research group which focuses on motor competence development in young children, particularly toddlers. The group collaborates extensively with daycare centers and educational institutions to implement and study interventions that promote fundamental motor skills. Recent work has expanded into aquatic literacy through the European ALFAC project.