K.P. (Kristel) van Abswoude

I am a Master's student in Medicine at the University of Amsterdam, currently in the final stages of my studies. I have a strong interest in sports medicine and orthopedics. My passion for these fields began in high school and has only grown throughout my academic journey. As I worked towards my degree, I aimed to deepen my knowledge in these areas, particularly through electives, a minor in Human Movement Science, and research projects.
I conducted research on the effects of BCAA supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage during my Bachelor's thesis, and I also participated in a study at the FENDURA research project, which investigated the impact of different phases of the menstrual cycle on cycling efficiency, measured during ergometry.
Most recently, I completed a senior clinical internship in sports medicine at Alrijne Hospital, where I gained experience in diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries, as well as acquiring knowledge and skills related to CPET (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) and exercise physiology.

I am currently advancing my research career as a PhD candidate in the ASPIRE-trial, which investigates the effect of peritendinous corticosteroid injections in mid-portion achilles tendinopathy, a condition I have frequently encountered during my clinical internships. The frequently long-lasting nature of achilles tendinopathy, along with the sense of helplessness it can create for both patients and clinicians, motivates me to explore its treatment further. I am honored to contribute to a better understanding of the treatment of chronic achilles tendinopathy and the potential benefits and drawbacks of corticosteroid injections as a treatment option. This PhD project is a valuable opportunity to integrate my clinical experience with scientific research.

ASPIRE project