M. (Marienke) van Middelkoop, PhD

My research work is embedded in two of the five research lines of our department: ‘Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders’ and ‘Disorders in children’. All projects can be covered under the large umbrella topic ‘Musculoskeletal complains in primary care’ and I hereby linking both research lines. My research is characterized by a broad substantive scope, ranging from more fundamental mechanistic studies to practice-based implementation studies, always with primary care as a starting point. I actively take the initiative to start new collaborations and apply innovative methods and techniques. In this way, I work in a focused manner on relevant and impactful research projects that contribute to the improvement of primary care and add value to society. 

Within the research line ‘Musculoskeletal disorders’ I focus on most prevalent MSK conditions with the overall objective to enable personalized evidence-based management of common complaints as osteoarthritis (OA) and MSK injuries in general practice. I hereby study the effectiveness of exercise- and lifestyle related treatments in early stages of OA, and I aim to identify treatment-responsive subgroups of patients. 

Musculoskeletal pain and problems are common and already arise during childhood and adolescence and structure of the bone and joint is mainly determined during growth. I therefore study the development of knee and spinal disorders and complaints in children during maturation and specifically study life-style related risk factors, e.g. sport, physical activity and obesity, that may influence joint health and development of OA. The impact of sport and physical activity on OA progression is studied in an NWA-ORC consortium in which we study a cohort of people with early knee complaints. To enable future prevention of MSK injuries, I study the association between training load and running related injuries. 

Dr. M van Middelkoop is Deputy Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Moreover, she is an executive board member of the International Patellofemoral Research Network (iPFRN).

She has received multiple grants as a PI (>€6 million) of Arthritis Association, Netherlands Institute of Health Science and Development (ZonMw), Dutch Research Council (NWO), Stichting Theia, Anna Fonds and Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy.