Ari Heinonen

Dr. Ari Heinonen, emeritus professor and research director. He was a Professor of Physiotherapy (2003-2022) and Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (2018-2021) and Head of the Department of Health Sciences (2010-2017), University of Jyväskylä. During the years 1989-2003, he was working at the UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research Tampere, Finland as a researcher and senior researcher. In addition, Prof. Heinonen was a visiting scholar at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada during the years 1999-2001. He has been appointed as the Canadian Research Chair in Physical Activity and Bone Health in 2002 at the University of British Columbia. He was educated at physiotherapy and graduated from the University of Jyväskylä with Master of Science degree (Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology) and Doctor of Philosophy (Biomechanics). He has proven experience of RCTs on the effects of physical activity and mechanical loading on bone properties, and on joint cartilage. His research involves comprehensive investigations to discover which exercise modalities best improve the mechanical competence of skeleton (bone and joint cartilage) and physical performance among various human target groups as well as   physical rehabilitation and prevention of exercise injuries. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3681-9953).