Dominique Hansen

According to the WHO cardiometabolic disease (combination of metabolic and cardiovascular disease) is worldwide the most important cause of premature death.

In the primary and secondary prevention of these cardiometabolic diseases, exercise intervention is a cornerstone, as it leads to significant reductions in adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalisations and premature death, by improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, exercise capacity and muscle strength, and quality of life.

However, the desired exercise type, intensity and dose, to target various crucial organs/tissues such as skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the cardiovascular system, remains to be determined in patients with obesity, diabetes or heart disease.

As a result, we study the physiology of exercise in these patients, and the molecular and clinical impact of (different types of) exercise training in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or heart failure.

In these studies, we combine human studies with examinations in animal models for cardiometabolic disease, to allow translational research on the impact of exercise interventions. Moreover, we also examine the impact of technology in cardiovascular rehabilitation by, for example, cardiovascular tele-rehabilitation and digital decision support systems for exercise prescription.

Classical assessment techniques for exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise testing and dynamometry testing), cardiac function (echocardiography), body composition (dexa scan), glycemic control and insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test, euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test), skeletal muscle physiology (by muscle biopsy and subsequent in vitro techniques) and adipocyte physiology (by subcutaneous fat biopsy and subsequent in vitro techniques) are often applied. Next to these examination, different animal models for cardiometabolic disease are often used.

PhD students:

Nastasia Marinus

Natalia Turri da Silva

Hansen D, De Strijcker D, Calders P. Impact of endurance exercise training in fasted state on muscle biochemistry and metabolism in healthy subjects: are these effects of particular clinical benefit to type 2 diabetes and insulin resistant patients? Sports Med 2017: 47: 415-28. IF 7.07.

Hens W, Vissers D, Hansen D, Peeters S, Gielen J, Van Gaal L, Taeymans J. The effect of diet or exercise on ectopic adiposity in children and adolescents with obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev 2017; 18: 1310-1322. IF 8.48.

Hansen D, Coninx K, Dendale P. The EAPC EXPERT tool. Eur Heart J 2017; 38: 2318-20. IF 23.42.

Verboven K, Jocken JW, Hansen D, Blaak EE. Natriuretic peptides in the control of lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Obes Rev 2017; 18: 1243-59. IF 8.48.

Hansen D, Rovelo Ruiz G, Doherty P, Iliou MC, Vromen T, Hinton S, Frederix I, Wilhelm M, Schmid JP, Abreu A, Ambrosetti M, Garcia-Porrero E, Coninx K, Dendale P. Do clinicians prescribe exercise similarly in patients with different cardiovascular diseases? Findings from the EAPC EXPERT working group survey. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2018; 25: 682-91. IF 5.64.

Hansen D, Niebauer N, Cornelissen V, Barna O, Neunhäuserer D, Stettler C, Tonoli C, Greco E, Fagard R, Coninx K, Vanhees L, Piepoli MF, Pedretti R, Rovelo Ruiz G, Corrà U, Schmid JP, Davos CH, Edelmann F, Abreu A, Rauch B, Ambrosetti M, Sarzi Braga S, Beckers P, Bussotti M, Faggiano P, Garcia-Porrero E, Kouidi E, Lamotte M, Reibis R, Spruit MA, Takken T, Vigorito C, Völler H, Doherty P, Dendale P. Exercise prescription in patients with different combinations of cardiovascular disease risk factors: a consensus statement from the EXPERT working group. Sports Med 2018; 48: 1781-97. IF 7.58.

Verboven K, Stinkens R, Hansen D, Wens I, Frederix I, Eijnde BO, Jocken JWE, Goossens GH, Blaak EE. Adrenergic- and non-adrenergically-mediated human adipose tissue lipolysis during acute exercise and exercise training. Clin Sci 2018; 132: 1685-98. IF 5.23

Verboven M, Van Ryckeghem L, Belkhouribchia J, Dendale P, Eijnde BO, Hansen D*, Bito V*. Effect of exercise intervention on cardiac function in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review. Sports Med 2019; 49: 255-68. IF 7.58. * Shared last authors.

Kränkel N, Dörr M, Kemps H, Moholdt T, Wilhelm M, Paneni F, Serratosa L, Solberg EE, Hansen D, Halle M, Adams V, Guazzi M. Exercise training to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: How does it work? Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 26: 701-708. IF 5.86.

Kemps H, Kränkel N , Dörr M, Moholdt T, Wilhelm M, Paneni F, Serratosa L, Solberg EE, Hansen D, Halle M, Guazzi M. Exercise training for patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: What to pursue and how to do it. A Position Paper of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC). Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 26: 709-27. IF 5.86

Hansen D, Abreu A, Doherty P, Völler H. Dynamic strength training intensity in cardiovascular rehabilitation: is it time to reconsider clinical practice? Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 26: 1483-92. IF 5.86.

Marinus N*, Hansen D*, Feys P, Meesen R, Timmermans A, Spildooren J. The impact of different types of exercise training on blood BDNF concentrations in older adults: A meta-analysis. Sports Med 2019; 49: 1529-46. IF 8.55. *Shared first authors.

Hansen D, Bonné K, Alders T, Hermans A, Copermans K, Swinnen H, Maris V, Jansegers T, Mathijs W, Haenen L, Vaes J, Govaerts E, Reenaers V, Frederix I, Dendale D. Exercise training intensity determination in cardiovascular rehabilitation: should the guidelines be reconsidered? Eur J Prev Cardiol 2019; 26: 1921-8. IF 5.86.

Hansen D. Access to exercise-based rehabilitation across Europe for patients with heart failure: where evidence-based practice is hampered by lacking resources. Eur J Heart Fail 2019; 21: 1149-51. IF 11.62.

Gevaert AB, Adams V, Bahls M, Bowen TS, Cornelissen V, Dörr M, Hansen D, Kemps HMC, Leeson P, Van Craenenbroeck EM, Kränkel N. Towards a personalized approach in exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation: How can translational research help? A ‘call to action’ from the Section on Secondary Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2020; 27: 1369-1385. IF 5.86

Hansen D, Mellbin L, Cosentino F, De Bacquer D, Grobbee D, Van Ryckeghem L, Standl E, Beulens JWJ. High awareness of diabetes as a key cardiovascular risk factor among healthcare professionals but suboptimal treatment: results from a survey of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86

Ambrosetti M, Abreu A, Corrà U, Davos C, Hansen D, Frederix I, Iliou MC, Pedretti RFE, Schmid JP, Vigorito C, Voller V, Wilhelm M, Piepoli MF. Secondary prevention through comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation: from knowledge to implementation. 2020 update. A position paper from the Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86, Q1.

Foccardi G, Hansen D, Quinto G, Favero C, Coninx K, Rovelo Ruiz G, Dendale P, Niebauer N, Ermolao A, Neunhaeuserer D. How do General Practitioners assess physical activity and prescribe exercise in patients with different cardiovascular diseases? An Italian pilot study. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86, Q1.

Van Ryckeghem L, Keytsman C, Verboven V, Verbaanderd E, Frederix I, Bakelants E, Petit T, Jogani S, Stroobants S, Dendale P, Bito V, Verwerft J, Hansen D. Exercise capacity is related to attenuated responses in oxygen extraction and left ventricular longitudinal strain in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes patients. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86.

Scherrenberg M, Wilhelm M, Hansen D, Völler H, Cornelissen V, Frederix I, Kemps H, Dendale P. The future is now: A call for action for cardiac telerehabilitation in the COVID-19 pandemic from the Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.  Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86.

Hansen D, Mathijs W, Michiels Y, Bonné K, Alders T, Hermans A, Copermans K, Swinnen H, Maris V, Timmermans I, Vaes J, Govaerts E, Reenaers V, Frederix I, Doherty P, Dendale P. Phase III multidisciplinary exercise-based rehabilitation is associated with fewer hospitalizations due to adverse cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease patients. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 5.86.

Pelliccia A, Sharma S, Gati S, Bäck M, Börjesson M, Caselli S, Collet JP, Corrado D, Drezner JA, Halle M, Hansen D, Heidbuchel H, Myers M, Niebauer J, Papadakis M, Piepoli MF, Prescott E, Roos-Hesselink JW, Stuart AG, Taylor RS, Thompson PD, Tiberi M, Vanhees L, Wilhelm M, ESC Scientific Document Group, 2020 ESC Guidelines on sports cardiology and exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease: The Task Force on sports cardiology and exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 22.76.

Ambrosetti M, Abreu A, Cornelissen V, Hansen D, Iliou MC, Kemps H, Pedretti RFE, Voller H, Wilhelm M, Piepoli MF. Delphi consensus recommendations on how to provide Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in the COVID-19 era. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020; e-pub ahead of print IF 5.86.

Wouters k, Kusters Y, Bijnen M, Wetzels S, Zhang X, Linssen P, Gaens K, Houben A, Joris P, Plat J, Kooi E, van der Kallen C, Mensink R, Verboven K, Jocken J, Hansen D, Blaak E, Ehlers F, Wieten L, Greve JW, Rensen S, Stehouwer C, Schalkwijk C.NK cells in human visceral adipose tissue contribute to obesity-associated insulin resistance through low-grade inflammation. Clin Transl Med 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 7.91.

Verboven K, Hansen D. Critical reappraisal of the role and importance of exercise intervention in the treatment of obesity in adults: a narrative review. Sports Med 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 8.55.

Marinus N, Vigorito C, Giallauria F, Dendale P, Feys P, Meesen R, Timmermans A, Haenen L, Jansegers T, Spildooren J, Hansen D. Frailty is highly prevalent in specific cardiovascular diseases and females, but significantly worsens prognosis in all affected patients:  a systematic review. Aging Res Rev 2020; e-pub ahead of print. IF 10.61.