With a record-breaking attendance of 290 participants, the 9th AMS Annual Research Meeting was a great success. On April 2nd, the event once again brought together researchers, students, and professionals for a day filled with inspiring presentations, interactive workshops, and outstanding scientific posters. Held at KIT in Amsterdam, the meeting provided fresh scientific insights and encouraged engaging discussions, making it a memorable occasion for all who attended.

The day was opened by a short speech from AMS directors Richard Jaspers and Hans Tol. The first keynote speaker was Peter Beek from the department of Human Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. He gave an insightful talk on the varying perspectives on interindividual variability in motor performance and learning.

Peter Beek during his keynote lecture
Peter Beek during his keynote lecture

The second keynote speaker was Bas Bloem from the Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen. He gave an energetic and inspiring talk about the importance of exercise for people with Parkinson's disease.

Bas Bloem during his keynote lecture
Bas Bloem during his keynote lecture

Between an exciting lineup of keynote lectures, over 65 enthusiastic master’s students and PhD candidates showcased their research during the poster sessions. Some were also given the spotlight with a short presentation, offering the audience a captivating sneak peek into their work. The topics were; Eight out of ten patients participate at their desired level of sports after talar osteoperiostic grafting from the iliac crest for large osteochondral lesions of the talus, by Elze Geurts. The effects of serum, containing myositis-specific autoantibodies, on muscle fiber contractility in Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy by Tom Kerkhoff. Creating space in small joints for visual evaluation and surgical treatment of osteoarthritis by Joep Suskens.

Left: Elze Geurts, Middle: Tom Kerkhoff, Right: Joes Suskens
Left: Elze Geurts, Middle: Tom Kerkhoff, Right: Joes Suskens

After the first poster session, attendees had the chance to sharpen their skills in one of six hands-on educational workshops. Topics ranged from Combined physical examination and radiology for different hand and wrist pathologies, One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping for motion analysis, (peer)mentoring and networking, Fit for the Job! Overview and Workout, making impact through valorisation and the practical side of Data Management. Also this year there were the parallel sessions that touched upon the latest insights in Ageing & Vitality and Rehabilitation & Development, Musculoskeletal Health and Tissue Function & Regeneration, and Sports Science.

And of course, no Annual Meeting would be complete without celebrating grand achievements! During the day the awards were presented:

Societal Impact Award

  • Daniël Strijbos– for his impactful research titledBack At work After Surgery (BAAS): From Research to Care-as-Usual in Work Integrated Orthopedic Care, contributing to society by helping get people back on their two feet.
Aske Gye Larsen (left) and Daniël Strijbos
Aske Gye Larsen (left) and Daniël Strijbos

Outstanding Paper Awards

  • Fundamental Sciences: Laura Ventura – For the titledNew lens on congenital mild bone fragility: a novel Col1a1 knockout mouse model for osteogenesis imperfecta type 1
  • Clinical Sciences: Sander Oorschot– For the paper titledEfficacy of Combined Aerobic Exercise and Coaching on Physical Fitness in People With Neuromuscular Diseases: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
  • Clinical Sciences: Daniël Strijbos – For the paper titledThe Effectiveness of the Back At Work After Surgery (BAAS) Work-Integrated Care Pathway on Return to Work for Patients Receiving Knee Arthroplasty: A Study of Three Comparative Cohorts in the Netherlands
  • Sports & Health Sciences: Milo Mokkenstorm – for the paper​ titledDiffusion tensor imaging has prognostic value on return to play in hamstring injuries: A prospective cohort study.
Laura Ventura
Laura Ventura
Sander Oorschot
Sander Oorschot
Milo Mokkenstorm
Milo Mokkenstorm

Best Poster Awards

  • Fundamental Sciences: Anastasia ScloccoDose matters: Haploinsufficiency in osteogenesis imperfecta;
  • Clinical Sciences: En DengBiomarkers that predict the onset or progression of osteoarthritis: a systematic review;
  • Sports & Health Sciences: Stijn WoltersHemadynamic responses and autonomic symptom burden during supine-to-stand testing in post acute infection syndromes;
  • The Audience award: Leopold KalembaThe Warburg effect in electrically pulse-stimulated myotubes: insights from 13C-glucose flux analysis.
    Left: Ivo Lutke Schipholt and Anastasia Sclocco, Right: Ibrahim Korkmaz and En Deng
    Left: Ivo Lutke Schipholt and Anastasia Sclocco, Right: Ibrahim Korkmaz and En Deng
    Left: Ibrahim Korkmaz and Stijn Wolters, Right: Ivo Lutke Schipholt and Leopold Kalemba
    Left: Ibrahim Korkmaz and Stijn Wolters, Right: Ivo Lutke Schipholt and Leopold Kalemba
    PhD candidates in disucssion during the poster session
    PhD candidates in disucssion during the poster session

    To end the day on an energetic and memorable note, attendees took part in an interactive workshop led by Drum Café. During this session, all participants joined together in a collective drumming experience, creating rhythm as a group. The workshop encouraged collaboration, connection, and plenty of enthusiasm, providing a lively and uplifting conclusion to the day’s scientific program.

      Attendees during Drum Cafe
      Attendees during Drum Cafe

      On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to thank everyone who joined us at this year’s Annual Meeting. We hope you left inspired, energized, and maybe even with a few new ideas and insights in your back pocket. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you again next year!

      Organizing committee: Merel Brehm, Hanneke van Dongen, Ibrahim Korkmaz, Aske Gye Larsen, Ivo Lutke Schipholt, Milad Makdismouso, Victoria Milbourn, Maarten Steinz, Ton Schoenmaker, Elianne Prange, Tess Minnema, Elise van t Hof, Solveig Lund, Hans Tol, Richard Jaspers.

      Do you want to scroll through the pictures? Click here to access the pics.

      Organizing committee 2026
      Organizing committee 2026
      Discussions during the poster sessions
      Discussions during the poster sessions
      Drum Cafe in action
      Drum Cafe in action
      Poster session discussions
      Poster session discussions
      Richard Jaspers and Hans Tol opening the day
      Richard Jaspers and Hans Tol opening the day

      See you again next year for the special 10th edition!