Hege Heiestad

Hege Heiestad is a PhD Research Fellow at the Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, and an active member of the Skadefri team at the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center. She specializes in pediatric physiotherapy and holds a master's degree in Sports Physiotherapy from NIH (2013). Her work focuses on knowledge translation in sports medicine, particularly developing educational programs for youth athletes.

• Master's in Sports Physiotherapy, NIH (2013)
• Specialist in Pediatric Physiotherapy (MNFF)

Dr. Heiestad's research centers on injury prevention in children and youth sports, physical activity promotion, and knowledge translation. She has developed the "Prep to be PRO" (Nærmere Best) educational program for youth elite athletes in Norwegian sports academy high schools. Her work bridges clinical practice and sports education through practical implementation strategies that address both elite and recreational sports contexts. She focuses on creating robust young athletes through evidence-based prevention strategies and educational tools for coaches, parents, and sports organizations.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on injury prevention implementation across multiple contexts - from school-based programs to sports club settings. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between sports medicine, physiotherapy, and educational science, with particular emphasis on practical application and knowledge translation. The research shows evolution from foundational studies on self-perceived health to targeted interventions specifically designed for youth athletes.

Through her role in the Skadefri team, Heiestad has developed extensive training programs for coaches, sports leaders, and healthcare providers. Her work with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center follows their four-platform model for translating research into practice, focusing particularly on educational components for youth sports settings. She has conducted numerous workshops and training sessions across Norway, adapting injury prevention strategies to various regional contexts and sports disciplines.

Heiestad actively collaborates with multiple sports organizations, including the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF), to implement injury prevention strategies. Her work extends to developing ambassador training programs that create networks of knowledgeable practitioners across the country who can disseminate injury prevention knowledge within their local sports communities.