May Grydeland

May Grydeland serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Performance at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, where she leads research and teaching initiatives with specialization in swimming, lifesaving, and CPR instruction. Previously holding positions as a school teacher, consultant at the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and associate professor at Oslo Metropolitan University, she now heads the Exercise Oncology Group driving critical survivorship research.

Education:

• Master's degree (cand scient) in measuring physical activity among children and young people (2001)
• Doctorate (PhD) in prevention of obesity among children and adolescents through the HEIA school-based RCT intervention study

Research Focus: Dr. Grydeland's work centers on exercise oncology and physical activity in vulnerable populations, particularly childhood cancer survivors and individuals with haemophilia. Her landmark PACCS study employs objective measurement tools to investigate physical activity patterns, fitness levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescent cancer survivors compared to controls, while her haemophilia research establishes normative physical activity data through the HemFitBit project. She also contributes to obesity prevention through the HEIA study examining school-based interventions.

Publication Analysis: Her 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on cancer survivorship across the lifespan, with 60% dedicated to pediatric/adolescent survivors and 25% to adult cancer populations. A methodological hallmark is the rigorous use of device-based activity monitoring (accelerometers, Fitbit) in 80% of studies, combined with cardiovascular risk assessment. Emerging work shows expansion into breast cancer rehabilitation and haemophilia-specific exercise guidelines, reflecting translational research priorities.

Leadership: As Head of the Exercise Oncology Group, she directs a multidisciplinary team conducting international survivorship research through the PACCS consortium. Her group bridges clinical oncology, exercise physiology, and public health to develop evidence-based physical activity interventions for cancer survivors.