Juha P. Ahtiainen, PhD
Associate Professor in Sports Coaching Science
Orcid ID: 0000-0003-2305-4741
Contact information
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
P.O.Box 35 (LL217)
40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Tel: +358-40-8053740
email: juha.ahtiainen@jyu.fi
Education
Title of Adjunct Professor (Docent) in Exercise Physiology (2016), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Ph.D. (2006), Science of Sport Coaching and Fitness testing; “Neuromuscular, Hormonal and Molecular Responses to Heavy Resistance Training in Strength Trained Men”, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
M.Sc. (2001), Exercise Physiology; Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Physical Therapy (1996), Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Pori, Finland
Research Interests
• Neuromuscular adaptations to resistance training
• Cellular and molecular events modulating skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise training
• Inter-individual variability in training-induced adaptations
• Resistance training and sports performance
Background
Dr. Ahtiainen received his Ph.D. in the Science of Sport Coaching and Fitness Testing from the Department of Biology of Physical Activity at the University of Jyväskylä in 2006. After graduation, he worked as a senior researcher in sport coaching and fitness testing. His current position is Associate Professor in Sport Coaching Science. Most of his ongoing research projects are related to neuromuscular adaptations induced by strength training. He is also involved in many research projects on exercise training and human performance.
Selected publications
Ahtiainen JP, Sallinen J, Häkkinen K, Sillanpää E. Inter-individual variation in response to resistance training in cardiometabolic health indicators. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports 30(6):1040-1053, 2020 PMID: 32150772; DOI: 10.1111/sms.13650
Sarin HV, Ahtiainen JP, Hulmi JJ, Ihalainen JK, Walker S, Küüsmaa-Schildt M, Perola M, Peltonen H. Resistance training induces antiatherogenic effects on metabolomic pathways. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 51(9):1866-1875, 2019 PMID: 30973481; DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002003
Ahtiainen JP, Hulmi JJ, Lehti M, Kraemer WJ, Nyman K, Selänne H, Alen M, Komulainen J, Kovanen V, Mero AA, Philippou A, Laakkonen E, Häkkinen K. Effects of resistance training on expression of IGF-I splice variants in younger and older men. European Journal of Sport Science 27:1-9, 2016 PMID: 27231807; DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2016.1185164
Ahtiainen JP, Walker S, Peltonen H, Holviala J, Sillanpää E, Karavirta L, Sallinen J, Mikkola J, Valkeinen H, Mero AA, Hulmi JJ, Häkkinen K. Heterogeneity in resistance training-induced muscle strength and mass responses in men and women of different ages. Age (Dordr). 38(1):10, 2016 PMID: 26767377; PMCID: PMC5005877; DOI: 10.1007/s11357-015-9870-1
Ahtiainen JP, Nyman K, Huhtaniemi I, Parviainen T, Helste M, Rannikko A, Kraemer WJ, Häkkinen K. Effects of resistance training on testosterone metabolism in younger and older men. Experimental Gerontology 69:148-58, 2015 PMID: 26079649; DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2015.06.010
Ahtiainen JP, Walker S, Silvennoinen M, Kyröläinen H, Nindl BC, Häkkinen K, Nyman K, Selänne H, Hulmi JJ. Exercise type and volume alter signaling pathways regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake and protein synthesis. European Journal of Applied Physiology 115(9):1835-45, 2015 PMID: 25861013; DOI: 10.1007/s00421-015-3155-3
Ahtiainen JP, Hulmi JJ, Kraemer WJ, Lehti M, Nyman K, Selänne H, Alen M, Pakarinen A, Komulainen J, Kovanen V, Mero AA, Häkkinen K. Heavy resistance exercise training and skeletal muscle androgen receptor expression in younger and older men, Steroids 76:183-92, 2011 PMID: 21070797; DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2010.10.012
Ahtiainen JP, Pakarinen A, Alen M, Kraemer WJ, Häkkinen K. Short vs. long rest period between the sets in hypertrophic resistance training: influence on muscle strength, size and hormonal adaptations in trained men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 19:572-582, 2005 PMID: 16095405; DOI: 10.1519/15604.1
Ahtiainen JP, Alen M, Kraemer WJ, Pakarinen A, Häkkinen K. Muscle hypertrophy, hormonal adaptations and strength development to strength training in strength-trained and untrained men. European Journal of Applied Physiology 89:555-563, 2003 PMID: 12734759; DOI: 10.1007/s00421-003-0833-3
Ahtiainen JP, Pakarinen A, Kraemer WJ, Häkkinen K. Acute hormonal and neuromuscular responses to forced vs. maximum multi heavy resistance exercises. International Journal of Sport Medicine 24:410-418, 2003 PMID: 12905088; DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41171