Dr Bettina Karsten

Senior Research Fellow

In May 2025, Dr. Bettina Karsten in May 2025 rejoined the University of Greenwich as a Senior Research Fellow within the Institute for Lifecourse Development (ILD). In this role, she provides direct support to the Centre for Exercise Activity and Rehabilitation (CEAR). Additionally, she is affiliated with the School of Health Sciences, where she contributes to research initiatives and the supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr. Karsten completed her PhD in 2014 with a thesis titled “Analysis of Validity and Reliability of Critical Power Testing in the Field.” In 2017, she joined LUNEX International University in Luxembourg, and in 2021, she was appointed as a Professor at CBS Applied University in Berlin, a position she continues to hold.

Her research interest has previously been focussed on performance testing and training for performance. In more recent years, her interest has extended to exercise interventions and how these can be used to improve health parameters.

Dr. Karsten is an experienced academic and researcher in the field of sport and exercise science, with a strong interdisciplinary background spanning sport physiology, health sciences, and higher education.

Dr. Karsten brings a proven track record of interdisciplinary collaboration, international academic experience, and a commitment to evidence-based practice and education.

Posts held previously
  • March 2021 – to date:  Professor: CBS Applied University, Berlin, Germany
    Programme Leader: BSc Sport Science with Nutrition

  • September 2017 - February 2021 Assistant Professor: LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Luxemburg
    Programme Leader: BSc Exercise and Sport Science; Erasmus Coordinator for the University
  • September 2005 - August 2017: Senior Lecturer Sport Physiology: University of Greenwich
    Faculty of Science and Engineering; Erasmus Coordinator for the Faculty
  • September 2003 – September 2005: Senior Lecturer Sport Physiology: University of Greenwich
    Faculty of Science and Engineering

Responsibilities within the university
  • Supporting the development of the Centre for Exercise Activity and Rehabilitation and the ILD.
  • Carrying out multidisciplinary, high quality and impactful research leading to the publication and dissemination of original work at levels of national and international excellence.
  • Developing research proposals for major funders.
  • Developing the Centre's media profile and a schedule of themed talks and workshops with leading researchers.
  • Supervise research students at undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral level.
  • Lead and contribute to collaborative and interdisciplinary research in the Faculty, Centre and the ILD.

Awards

Student Awards (2016)

  • Best personal tutor

Runner up (2016):

  • Most inspirational teacher
  • Best project supervisor

Recognition
  • PhD and Masters External Examiner
  • Review Editor ‘Frontiers’ for the sections of Physiology and Sport and Active Living
  • German Association of Sports Therapy and Health Promotion (DVGS)

Research / Scholarly interests
  • Supporting the development of the Centre for Positive Ageing
  • Carrying out multidisciplinary, high quality and impactful research
  • Developing research proposals for major funders
  • Developing the Centre's media profile and a schedule of themed talks and workshops with leading researchers
  • Other key areas of the Centre's current focus includes the organisation of health and social care services; comparisons of older adults' experiences in different countries and among different social groups in the UK; how long-term conditions such as diabetes affect quality of life; older people and the arts and housing for older people.

Dr. Bettina Karsten’s research interests lie at the intersection of exercise physiology, rehabilitation science, and health promotion. Her work focuses on the physiological assessment and optimisation of human performance across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on evidence-based approaches to physical activity and rehabilitation.

Key areas of interest include:

  • Critical Power and Exercise Testing.
  • Physical Activity and Lifecourse Health: Investigations into the role of structured physical activity in promoting health and preventing chronic conditions across different stages of life, with a focus on functional outcomes and quality of life.
  • Exercise-Based Rehabilitation: Development and evaluation of exercise interventions for individuals managing long-term health conditions, aiming to bridge the gap between research and real-world application.

Recent publications
 

Erdogan G, Karsten B, Vogt L, Mierau A, Hülsdünker T. Modulation of physical exercise intensity in motor-cognitive training of adults using the SKILLCOURT technology. Physiol Rep. 2024 Dec;12(23):e70136. doi: 10.14814/phy2.70136. PMID: 39638640; PMCID: PMC11620832.

Hunter, B., Karsten, B., Greenhalgh, A., Burnley, M., Muniz-Pumares, D. The Application of Non-Linear Methods to Quantify Changes to Movement Dynamics During Running: A Scoping Review. J Sports Sci. 2023; doi: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2225014

Triska, C., Karsten, B. Commentaries on Viewpoint: Using V̇o2max as a marker of training status in athletes – can we do better? J Appl Physiol (1985).2022;133(1):148-164. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00224.2022.

Triska, C., Karsten B. Letter to the Editor: “Over 55 years of critical power: Fact or artifact?” Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022; Jun;32(6):1066-1067.
doi: 10.1111/sms.14151.

Petrigna, L. Delextrat, A., Mani, D. Pajauijene, S., Karsten B., Paoli, A., Palma, A., Bianco, A. An updated methodology to estimate Critical Velocity in Front Crawl Swimming: a scoping review, Sci & Sports. 2022; 37(5–6):373-382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2021.06.003

Hauer, R., Störchle, P. Karsten, B., Tschan, H., Baca, A. Internal, external and repeated-sprint demands in small-sided games: A comparison between bouts and age groups in elite youth soccer players. PLoSONE 2021; 16(4): e0249906.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249906

Hunter, B., Greenhalgh, A., Karsten, B., Burnley, M., Muniz-Pumares, D. Response to letter to the Editor: A non‑linear analysis of running in the heavy and severe intensity domains. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021; doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04685-6

Triska, C., Hopker, J., Wessner, B., Reif, A., Tschan, H., Karsten, B. A 30-Min Rest Protocol Does Not Affect W', Critical Power, and Systemic Response. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021; 53(2):404-412; doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002477

Karsten, B., Petrigna, L., Klose, A., Bianco, A., Townsend, N., Triska, C.Relationship between the Critical Power Test and a 20-min Functional Threshold Power Test in Cycling. Front. Physiol. 2021; doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.613151

Hunter, B., Greenhalgh, A., Karsten, B., Burnley, M., Muniz-Pumares, D.A non-linear analysis of running in the heavy and severe exercise domains. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021; 121(5):1297-1313; doi: 10.1007/s00421-021-04615-6.

Naclerio, F., Moreno-Perez, D., Seijo, M., Karsten, B., Larrosa, M., García-Merino, J.A., Thirkell, J., Larumbe-Zabala, E. Effects of Adding Post-Workout Microcurrent in Males Cross Country Athletes.  Eur J Sports Sci. 2021; 8:1-10; doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1862305

Buchholtz, K., Roberto Meroni,E., Karsten, B., Carson, F. Responding to COVID-19: LUNEX University’s decisions and actions to continue physiotherapy education. Open Physio. 2020; Doi.org/10.14426/art/1564

Petrigna, L., Karsten, B., Marcolin, G., Paoli, A., D’Antona, G., Palma, A., Bianco, A. Jump Testing Methods in the Context of Public Health Examination in Adolescence: Reliability and Feasibility of Current Testing Procedures. Front. Physiol. 2019; 10: 1384. doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01384

Naclerio, F. Seijo, M., Karsten, B., Brooker, G., Carbone, L., Thirkell, J., Larumbe-Zabala, E. Effectiveness of Combining Microcurrent with Resistance Training in Trained Males. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019; 119(11-12):2641-2653

Muniz, D., Karsten, B., Triska, C., Glaister, M. Authors’ Response. Methodological approaches and related challenges associated with the determination of critical power and W’. J Strength Cond Res. 2019; 3(2):584-596

Thomas, E., Karsten, B., Sahin, N., Ertetik, G., Martines, F., Leonardi., V., Paoli, A., Gentil., P., Palma, A., Vianco, A. Protein supplement consumption is linked to time spent exercising and high-protein content foods: a multicentric observational study. Heliyon 2019; 5(4): e01508

Karsten B., Fu L.Y., Seijo M., Larumbe-Zabala E., Naclerio F. Impact of two high-volume set configurations workouts on resistance training outcomes in recreationally trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2019; DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003163

MartinK., F Naclerio, F., KarstenB. Vera, J.A. Physical activity and quality of life in people living with HIV. AIDS Care (CAIC). 2019; 31(5):589-598

Muniz, D., Karsten, B., Triska, C., Glaister, M. Methodological approaches and related challenges associated with the determination of critical power and W’, J Strength Cond Res. 2019; 33(2):584-596

Mehta, K., Christides, T., Larumbe, E., Ashrafi, N., Seijo Bujia, M., Karsten B., Nielson, B., Naclerio, F. Case Studies: Effects of Beef, Whey and Carbohydrate Supplementation in Female Master Triathletes, J Human Sport Exerc 2019, 14(1), doi:10.14198/jhse.2019.141.14

Karsten, B., Baker, J., Naclerio, F., Klose, A., Bianco, A., Nimmerichter, A. Time Trials Versus Time-to-Exhaustion Tests: Effects on Critical Power, W', and Oxygen-Uptake Kinetics.Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018; 13(2):183-188

Triska, C., Karsten, B., Beedie, C., Koller, B., Prinz, B., Nimmerichter, A., Tschan, H. Different durations within the method of best practice affect the parameters of the speed-duration relationship. J Sports Sci 2018; 18(3):332-340

Triska, C., Karsten, B., Heidegger, B., Koller, B., Prinz, B., Nimmerichter, A., Tschan, H. Reliability of the parameters of the power-duration relationship using maximal effort time-trials under laboratory conditions. Plosone 2017; 25;11(3): e0151448

Fu, L.Y., Karsten, B., Laumbe-Zabala, E., Seijo-Bujia, M. Naclerio, F. Comparison of Two Equated Resistance Training Weekly Volume Routines Using Different Frequencies on Body Composition and Performance in Trained Males. Appl. Phys Nutr and Metab 2017; 43(5):475-481

Naclerio, F., Seijo, M., Larumbe-Zabala, E., Ashrafi, N., Christides, T., Karsten, B., Nielsen, B.V. Effects of Supplementation with Beef or Whey Protein Versus Carbohydrate in Master Triathletes. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017; 36(8):593-601

Triska, C., Karsten, B., Nimmerichter, A, Tschan, H. Iso-duration determination of D´ and CS under laboratory and field conditions. Int J Sports Med. 2017; 38(07):527-533

Patti, A., Bianco, A., Karsten, B., Montalto, M.A., Messina, G., Battaglia, G., Bellafiore, Cassata, M., Scoppa, F., Paoli, A., Iovane, A., Palma, A. The effects of physical training without equipment on pain perception and balance in the elderly.

WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation.2017; 57(1):23–30

Lodi, A., Karsten, B., Bosco, G., Gómez-López, M., Paraguassú B., Paula, Bianco, A. and Paoli, A. The effects of different high-protein-low-carbohydrates proprietary foods on blood sugar in healthy subjects. J Med Food 2016; 19(11):1085-1095

Karsten, B., Hopker, J., Jobson, S., Baker, J., Petrigna,L., Klose, A., Beedie, B. Comparison of intra-trial recovery times for the determination of critical power and W¢ in cycling.

J Sports Sci 2016; 35(14):1420-1425

Karsten, B., Larumbe-Zabala, E., Bianco, A., Hazir, T., Klose, E., Naclerio, F. The effects of a 6-week strength training on critical velocity, anaerobic running distance, 30-m sprint and Yo-Yo intermittent running test performance in male soccer players. Plosone 2016; 25;11(3):e0151448

Karsten, B., Stevens, L., Colpus, M., Larumbe-Zabala, E., Naclerio, F. The effects of sports specific strength and conditioning training on critical velocity, anaerobic running distance and 5-km Race Performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2016; 11:80-85

Karsten, B., Jobson, S.A., Hopker, J., Stevens, L., Beedie, C. Validity and reliability of critical power testing in the field. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015; 115(1):197-204

Bianco, A., Thomas, E., Bellafiore, M., Martines, Francesco, M., Giuseppe, Battaglia, G., Karsten, B., Sahin, F., Bielec,

G., Paoli, A. and Palma, A. Mediterranean diet and dietary supplementation as possible predicting variables of weight management: an update of the protein project. Acta Medica Mediterranea 2015; 31(6):1265-1270

Karsten, B., Jobson, S.A., Hopker, J., Jimenez, A., Beedie, C. High agreement between laboratory and field estimates of critical power in cycling. Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(04):298-303

Karsten, B., Jobson, S.A., Hopker, J., Passfield, L. and Beedie, C. The 3-min test does not provide a valid measure of critical power using the SRM isokinetic mode. Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(4):304-309

Karsten, B., Peterson, A. and Champion, M. Comparison of physiological and perceptual responses to a maximal exhaustive test performed on the SRM and the Cyclus2 ergometer. J Sci Cycling, 2014; 3 (2):83-84

Book Chapter

Hamacher, D., Feodoroff, B., Karsten, B. Sportwissenschaft in Prävention und Rehabilitation. In Kurscheid, C., Balke-Karrenbauer, N., Mollenhauer, J. (Eds.) Gesundheitsöknonmie und Versorgungswissenschaft, 2025 (in print), Springer

Karsten, B., X. Dopico-Calvo.  Warm-Up and Cool Down. In Rieger, T., Naclerio, F., Jimenez, A., Moody, J. (Eds.) EuropeActive's Foundations for Exercise Professionals, 2015; pp. 135-140. Human Kinetics

Presentations

Karsten, B. ECSS Prague Invited Session Chair, Individualisation and Optimisation of Exercise Training Prescription. ECSS Congress 3-6 July 2019, Prague/Czech Republic

Karsten, B. Keynote Speaker on Training Intensities in Rehabilitation, International Conference Fitness, Posture and Sport, 26th of November 2016, Palermo/Italy

Karsten, B., Triska, C. Satellite Symposium Critical Power.European Congress of Sports Science, 21st ECSS Congress 6- 9 July 2016, Wien/Austria

Karsten, B., Jobson, S. A., Hopker, J. G., Beedie, C. Critical Power Testing in the Field. European Congress of Sports Science, 19th ECSS Congress 2- 5 July 2014, Amsterdam/Holland

Karsten, B., Jobson, S. A., Hopker, J. G., Stevens, L., Beedie, C. Modelling of critical power from road data. 2nd World Congress of Cycling Science 2- 3 July 2014, Leeds/UK

Karsten B., Arpinar-Avsar P., Hazir T., Kosar SN., Cinemre A., Utku B., Cass G., Beedie C. Robustness of the linear critical velocity model for sprint performances. European Congress of Sports Science, 18th ECSS Congress 26-29 June 2013, Barcelona/Spain