Nils Petter Aspvik

Nils Petter Aspvik serves as an Associate Professor in Sports Science at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Employed since 2008, he currently manages the 5-year associate degree program in physical education and sports. His academic work uniquely bridges sports science with sociological perspectives, focusing on athlete development, health, and performance.

Aspvik holds both a master's degree and PhD in Sports Science (with Sociology specialization) from NTNU. His educational background enables his interdisciplinary approach that combines physiological measurements with sociological analysis to understand sports performance and athlete welfare.

His research primarily examines skill and precision development in sports, with special emphasis on youth sports and athlete health. He investigates how young athletes experience injury recovery, why they train despite pain or mental fatigue, and their attitudes toward painkillers. His work also analyzes communication patterns between athletes and their coaches, families, and peers regarding health challenges. Additionally, Aspvik conducts significant research on physical activity and public health, particularly using objective measurement techniques with Actigraph accelerometers.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on talent development environments across various sports, with particular attention to gender differences in ice hockey and handball. The Generation 100 Study represents a major component of his research, investigating physical activity patterns in older adults through longitudinal design. His work consistently combines objective measurement techniques with sociological insights to understand both elite athlete development and broader public health implications.

Aspvik teaches multiple courses including IDRSA1008 - Introduction to Sports Science, IDRSA1018 - Physical Education and Society, IDRSA2004 - Coach roles, IDR3040 - Sports, physical activity and health, and IDR3043 - Coaching Practice. His teaching reflects his research interests and expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of sports science.

He is actively involved in several major research projects including the Skills and Performance Development in Sports and School (SPDSS), The Trondheim Early Secure Study (TESS), and The Generation 100 Study. His methodological expertise in objective physical activity measurement using Actigraph accelerometers has made him a key contributor to these large-scale investigations.