4th sports medical running symposium UMC Utrecht
On Tuesday evening 28 March, UMC Utrecht hosted the 4th sports medical running symposium in the run-up to the Utrecht Marathon, which will take place on 21 May with start and finish in the Utrecht Science Park. Several speakers shared their experience, scientific knowledge and valuable tips to the more than 170 interested people in the room.
Wessel Zimmermann, military sports doctor, talked about prevention and treatment of overuse and injuries caused by running and marching in military personnel. These often occur due to load imbalance. He gave the central message that the most can be gained, and the load reduced, by technically correct running and by buying traditional running shoes that fit your technique.
David, a sports physiotherapist and podiatrist, took us through the development of the running shoe from the 1970s onwards. There have been lots of innovations in running shoes, but not all are suitable or desirable for the recreational runner. David advocates a more individually adapted shoe if you want to run injury-free and a running analysis is a must in this regard.
Leon Graumans, running coach, took visitors through the tainting principles, sharing his knowledge on endurance, physical fitness, improving running efficiency, hydration and energy absorption during exercise.
Prof Fred Hartgens, sports doctor, took the audience through the effects of endurance training on the heart and cardiovascular risk factors. He advocates annual screening of all elite athletes as well as an exercise test for recreational athletes >35 years old so that possible heart abnormalities are recognised in time.
24 organisations join forces for sustainable mobility in Utrecht East
Utrecht East took a step into a new phase of sustainable mobility. On 19 January 2026, 24 major organisations from the Utrecht Science Park and Kantorenpark Rijnsweerd signed a joint commitment to make travel more sustainable, encourage walking and cycling, increase the use of public transport, and structurally reduce peak-hour congestion.
Looking back, looking ahead and doing a pub quiz: a well-attended New Year’s Café a great success
On Monday evening, January 19th, the Utrecht Science Park New Year’s Café was held. It was wonderful to see so many different partners represented. An interactive pub quiz with questions from various partners thoroughly tested the guests’ knowledge of Utrecht Science Park.
‘USP WorkWalks’ breaks through sedentary patterns and now also receives national recognition with the BeweegAward
The Dutch sit an average of nine hours a day, making them the “European Champion of Sitting,” which is detrimental to health and performance. USP WorkWalks, an inspiring initiative by HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht in collaboration with Utrecht University, the municipality of Utrecht, and the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, is breaking this pattern. The initiative has now also received national recognition. The initiators received the 2025 Exercise Award from State Secretary Judith Tielen (Health, Welfare and Sport) on Friday, January 16th. In addition to various administrators and guests, Alderwoman Eva Oosters and artist and ambassador of the ‘BeweegAlliantie’ Antje Monteiro were present at the award ceremony.
Wennink plan: Life Sciences and biotechnology are important growth drivers for the earning capacity of the Netherlands
The Dutch Life Sciences and biotechnology sector can make a much larger contribution to the Netherlands’ economic strength. This is shown in a new growth strategy presented today as part of Peter Wennink’s advisory report. The report also highlights Utrecht Science Park as one of the key innovation locations and sources of progress and growth.