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Fredrik Tonstad Vårvik

Image of Fredrik Tonstad Vårvik
Email
fredrik.t.varvik@uia.no
Phone
+47 38 14 22 19
Mobile phone
+47 92 85 49 69
Office
I3044 (Universitetsveien 25, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway)

Areas of responsibility

My Ph.D. topic investigates how to optimize in-season resistance training for team sport athletes aiming to maintain muscle size, strength, power, and match freshness throughout the competitive season. We compare the effect of heavy load strength training versus power- and plyometric training programs, with an emphasis on female handball athletes.

Resistance training and sports nutrition are my main interests, particularly in the areas of recovery, adaptation, and performance. I teach and supervise students and am involved in research projects on these topics, in addition to being a consultant at the Norwegian Olympic Committee.

I have completed two bachelor's degrees in Sports Science and Nutrition, a master's in Exercise Physiology, and the IOC Sports Nutrition diploma.

Teaching

Exercise physiology, strength training (theory and practice) and sports nutrition.

Publications

  • Henselmans, Menno; Tiede, Dakota R.; Plotkin, Daniel L.; Mattingly, Madison L.; Harbour, Emrie R. & Anglin, Derick A. [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2026). Effects of Modest Carbohydrate–Energy Supplementation on Resistance Training Adaptations in Trained Men: A Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 18(12). doi: 10.3390/nu18121961. Full text in Research Archive
  • Grannes, Johan; Callender, Nigel Allan; Gonzalez, Adam M.; Hisdal, Jonny; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad & Bjørnsen, Thomas (2026). Acute effect of citrulline malate on flow-mediated dilation and serum pharmacodynamics in healthy young males. Frontiers in Physiology. 17. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1773582. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Sødal, Hanne; Sjåvik, Marie Salterød; Bjørnsen, Thomas & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2024). ENHANCING TEAMGYM PERFORMANCE WITH POWER TRAINING. Science of Gymnastics Journal (ScGYM). ISSN 2232-2639. 16(2), p. 279–288. doi: 10.52165/sgj.16.2.279-288. Full text in Research Archive
  • Haugen, Markus Estifanos; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Grgic, Jozo; Studsrud, Henrik; Austheim, Espen & Zimmermann, Erik Mathias [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2023). Effect of isolated and combined ingestion of caffeine and citrulline malate on resistance exercise and jumping performance: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. European Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 1436-6207. 62(7), p. 2963–2975. doi: 10.1007/s00394-023-03212-x. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Paulsen, Gøran; Joensen, Malene & Kristoffersen, Morten [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2023). The effects of being told you are in the intervention group on training results: a pilot study. Scientific Reports. 13(1), p. 1–10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29141-7. Full text in Research Archive
  • Siedler, Madelin R.; Lewis, Megan H.; Trexler, Eric T.; Lamadrid, Priscila; Waddell, Brian J. & Bishop, Sarah F. [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2023). The Effects of Intermittent Diet Breaks during 25% Energy Restriction on Body Composition and Resting Metabolic Rate in Resistance-Trained Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Human Kinetics. ISSN 1640-5544. 86, p. 117–132. doi: 10.5114/jhk/159960. Full text in Research Archive
  • Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Sibayan, Erlend E.; Fjeller, Joachim S. & Løvold, Sondre [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2023). Associations between Power Training-Induced Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Men: A Pre-Test–Post-Test Experimental Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). ISSN 1661-7827. 20(22). doi: 10.3390/ijerph20227070. Full text in Research Archive
  • Byrkjedal, Per Thomas; Thunshelle, Atle; Spencer, Matthew; Luteberget, Live Steinnes; Ivarsson, Andreas & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). In-season autoregulation of one weekly strength training session maintains physical and external load match performance in professional male football players. Journal of Sports Sciences. ISSN 0264-0414. 41(6), p. 536–546. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2227536. Full text in Research Archive
  • Haugen, Markus Estifanos; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Larsen, Stian; Haugen, Arvid Steinar; Tillaar, Roland Johannes Wilhelmus van den & Bjørnsen, Thomas (2023). Effect of free-weight vs. machine-based strength training on maximal strength, hypertrophy and jump performance – a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC sports science, medicine and rehabilitation. 15(1). doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00713-4. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Lohne-Seiler, Hilde; Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Sibayan, Erlend E.; Fjeller, Joachim S. & Løvold, Sondre [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2022). Effectiveness of individualized training based on force–velocity profiling on physical function in older men. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 32(6), p. 1013–1025. doi: 10.1111/sms.14157. Full text in Research Archive
  • Henselmans, Menno; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Hedderman, Richie & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2022). The Effect of Carbohydrate Intake on Strength and Resistance Training Performance: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 14(4). doi: 10.3390/nu14040856. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas & Gonzalez, Adam (2021). Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate on Repetition Performance During Strength Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. ISSN 1526-484X. 31(4), p. 350–358. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0295. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette kan påvirke OL-prestasjonene. Stavanger Aftenblad. ISSN 0804-8991. Full text in Research Archive
  • Roberts, Justin; Zinchenko, Anastasia; Mahbubani, Krishnaa T.; Johnstone, James; Smith, Lee & Merzbach, Viviane [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2018). Satiating Effect of High Protein Diets on Resistance-Trained Subjects in Energy Deficit. Nutrients. 11(7). doi: 10.3390/nu11010056. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Torstveit, Monica Klungland & Raastad, Truls (2025). Acute fatigue, cellular stress, and signaling responses to power-oriented vs. strength-oriented resistance exercise. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Raastad, Truls; Torstveit, Monica Klungland & Bjørnsen, Thomas (2024). OPTIMIZING IN-SEASON STRENGTH AND POWER DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH-LEVEL HANDBALL PLAYERS: COMPARING HEAVY STRENGTH TRAINING VERSUS COMBINED STRENGTH- AND POWER TRAINING. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Torstveit, Monica Klungland; Pedersen, Silje Marie; Granli, Aslak & Aune, Simon S. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Effects of in-season high-load strength training versus higher-velocity power training in female handball players: Are the adaptations training load- and velocity-specific? Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Torstveit, Monica Klungland; Pedersen, Silje Marie; Granli, Aslak & Aune, Simon S. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). MAXIMIZING PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS DURING THE COMPETITIVE SEASON: THE IMPACT OF HIGH-LOAD STRENGTH TRAINING VERSUS POWER-PLYOMETRIC TRAINING. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bjørnsen, Thomas; Remme, Sander; Haukali, Eirik; Tveitevoll, Åsmund & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2023). MAXIMIZING PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE WITH STRENGTH TRAINING DURING THE COMPETITIVE SEASON FOR ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS: FAVORABLE EFFECTS OF 40% VELOCITY LOSS. Full text in Research Archive
  • Byrkjedal, Per Thomas; Thunshelle, Atle; Spencer, Matthew; Luteberget, Live Steinnes; Ivarsson, Andreas & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). In-season autoregulation of one weekly strength training session maintains physical performance in professional male football players. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Granli, Aslak & Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas (2022). Time Course Of Recovery Following Work-Matched Strength-Oriented- Versus Power-Oriented Resistance Exercise Bouts. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Paulsen, Gøran; joensen, malene & Kristoffersen, Morten [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). When You Believe You Are In The Intervention Group, You Will Get Better Training Results. A Randomized Controlled Placebo Study. Full text in Research Archive
  • Bjørnsen, Thomas; Hody, Stephanie; Raastad, Truls; Paulsen, Gøran; Wernbom, Mathias & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). High-Frequency Blood Flow Restricted Resistance Exercise To Failure Induces Higher Cellular Stress In Muscle Fibres Than A Non-Failure Protocol. Full text in Research Archive
  • Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Berntsen, Sveinung & Seiler, Hilde Lohne (2022). Associations between power training-induced changes in body composition and physical function in older men: a pretest-posttest experimental study. Full text in Research Archive
  • Lohne-Seiler, Hilde; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Sibayan, Erlend E.; Fjeller, Joachim S. & Løvold, Sondre [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). Physical function and health-related quality of life in older men after 10-weeks power training – any associations? Full text in Research Archive
  • Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Sibayan, Erlend E.; Fjeller, Joachim S. & Løvold, Sondre [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2022). Associations between power training-induced changes in body composition and physical function in older men: a pretest-posttest experimental study. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad & Bjørnsen, Thomas (2022). Hvor viktig er karbohydratene for treningen din? lokalavisen fedrelandsvennen. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette kan påvirke OL-prestasjonene. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette kan påvirke OL-prestasjonene. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette kan påvirke OL-prestasjonene. Full text in Research Archive
  • Henselmans, Menno; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Hedderman, Richie & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Carbohydrate requirements for strength training performance: a systematic review. Full text in Research Archive
  • Henselmans, Menno; Bjørnsen, Thomas; Hedderman, Richie & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Can acute or long-term manipulation of carbohydrate availability increase strength performance? Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette skjer i kroppen når du restituerer. [Journal]. ShapeUp. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2021). Dette kan påvirke OL-prestasjonene. Full text in Research Archive
  • Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad; Bjørnsen, Thomas & Gonzalez, Adam (2020). Acute effect of citrulline malate on repetition performance during strength training: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Full text in Research Archive
  • Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Seiler, Hilde Lohne; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Berntsen, Sveinung; Bjørnsen, Thomas & Vårvik, Fredrik Tonstad (2020). The effect of individualized power training based on the least developed capacity in force-velocity profiles of elderly men. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

Published Apr. 16, 2024 11:24 AM - Last modified July 23, 2024 3:19 PM