Ingar Mehus

Ingar Mehus is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He holds a Master’s degree in Sports Science and a PhD in Psychology from NTNU.

• Professional Expertise: Motivation in sports and physical education, children and youth sports, physical activity measurement, and quantitative methods.
• Research Groups: Skill and Performance Development in Sports and School (SPDSS)

Key Research Themes: His work focuses on motivational dynamics in sports, gender differences in talent development environments, physical activity among autistic youth, and the interplay between physical education and mental health. He employs mixed-methods approaches, including longitudinal studies like the HUNT Study, to analyze behavioral regulation, self-determination theory, and performance psychology.

Recent Article Trends: His 2025-2024 publications emphasize autism spectrum disorders, extreme altitude climbing motivation, gender equity in sports organizations, and physical education assessment. These studies often combine quantitative analysis with motivational theory in youth and elite sports contexts.

Students: He has mentored master’s and PhD students including Bendik Thorfinnsson, Stig Arve Sæther, and Nils Petter Aspvik, particularly in topics related to talent development and physical activity.