Arbeitsbereich Trainings- und Bewegungswissenschaft

Pia Vinken, Ph.D.

Pia Vinken has been working at the institute's Department of Training and Movement Science since 2014. She completed her PhD in 2016 and received a Dorothea-Schlözer postdoctoral position as a research assistant in 2017. She researches, teaches, and works on the topic of perception, estimation, and assessment of movement aesthetics – addressing the question what makes movements "beautiful"! In November 2020, she became head of the Department of Training and Movement Science as administrative professor.



Room: 4.123
Phone: 0551-39 25651
Email: pia.vinken@sport.uni-goettingen.de

Office hours: click "HERE"


professional education:

  • Administration of the professorship "Training and Movement Science", Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Göttingen
  • Defense of Ph.D.-thesis "The role of elastic taping in athletic motor skill performance" at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen (08/2016)
  • Ph.D.-student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen (04/2015 – 09/2016)
  • Curriculum "Psychology in high performance sports", German Society for Sport Psychology (10/2010 – 06/2012)
  • Level-B coaching license in artistic gymnastics, German Gymnastics Federation (09/2010)
  • K-Taping-Therapist, K-Taping Academy (03/2010)
  • Further education in sport physiotherapy, Department of Further Education, German Sport University Cologne (02/2008 – 06/2008)
  • Diploma in sports sciences, major topic: Exercise science and coaching, German Sport University Cologne (10/2005 – 06/2009)


professional experience:

  • Postdoctoral research fellow in the Dorothea-Schlözer-Postdoc-Program, Georg-August-University Göttingen (since 10/2017)
  • Lecturer at the Institute of Sports Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen (05/2011 – 09/2017)
  • Lecturer at the Institute of Sport Science, Leibniz University Hanover (08/2011 – 09/2014)
  • Research associate at the Institute of Professional Sport Education and Sport Qualifications, German Sport University Cologne (10/2012 – 09/2013)
  • Visiting lecturer at the Institute of Sport Science, University of Hildesheim (04/2012 – 09/2016)
  • Research associate at the Institute of Sport Science, Leibniz University Hanover (03/2011 – 08/2011)
  • Research assistant at the Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne (03/2010 – 12/2011)
  • Free-lancing self-employed trainer and coach for fitness, health and sport-psychological coaching (since 02/2010)
  • Scientific tutor at the Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne (10/2007 – 09/2009)




international journals:

  • Vinken, P. M. (2022). Kinematic Motion Characteristics and Observer’s Expertise in Perceived Aesthetics of Dance Jumps. Research in Dance Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2022.2033714
  • Vinken, P. M., & Heinen, T. (2022). How does the amount of movement and observer’s expertise shape the perception of motion aesthetics in dance skills. Human Movement, 23(2), 46-55. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm.2021.106170
  • Vinken, P.M., Stirling, V., & Heinen, T. (2021). The aesthetics of the experts - On the relationship of observers’ and performers’ expertise when perceiving motion aesthetics in freerunning skills. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, in press. doi: https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2022.174.06
  • Vinken, P. M., & Heinen, T. (2020). Perceived aesthetic features differentiating between complex artistic skills of varying style. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 12(2), 119-133
  • Vinken, P. M. (2015). Short-term effects of elastic taping on gymnast’s jumping performance. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 7(1), 5-16.
  • Vinken, P. M., & Heinen, T. (2015). Immediate and mid-term effects of elastic taping on gymnast’s postural control performance during handstand. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, 7(4), 73-84.
  • Vinken, P. M., Hennig, L., & Heinen, T. (2014). Short-term effects of elastic taping on dancer’s postural control performance. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, 8(4), 61-72.
  • Heinen, T., Koschnick, J., Schmidt-Maaß, D., & Vinken, P. M. (2014). Gymnasts utilize visual and auditory information for behavioral synchronization in trampolining. Biology of Sport, 31, 223-226.
  • Heinen, T., Apitus, K., Mirzaie, F., Nicolaus, M., & Vinken, P. M. (2013). Movement regulation of the glide kip in gymnastics. Sport Science 6(1), 82-86.
  • Heinen, T., Mandry, S., Vinken, P. M., & Nikolaus, M. (2013). Motor skill acquisition influences learners‘ visual perception in gymnastics. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 5(1), 19-28.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzas, K. (2013). Movement regulation of handsprings on vault. Research Quarterly for Sport and Exercise. 84(1), 68-78.
  • Vinken, P. M., Kröger, D., Fehse, U., Schmitz, G., Brock, H., & Effenberg, A. O. (2013). Auditory coding of human movement kinematics. Multisensory Research, 26, 533-552.
  • Heinen, T., Jeraj, D., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzsas, K. (2012). Land where you look? – Functional relationships between gaze and movement behavior in a backward salto. Biology of Sport, 29, 177-183.
  • Heinen, T., Velentzas, K., & Vinken, P. M. (2012). Analyzing gaze behavior in complex (aerial) skills. International Journal of Sport Science and Engineering, 6(3), 165-174.
  • Heinen, T., Velentzas, K., Vinken, P. M., & Engel, W. (2012). Functional relationships between gaze behavior and movement kinematics when performing dismounts on the high bar – An exploratory study. Human Movement, 13 (3), 218-224.
  • Heinen, T., Jeraj, D., Vinken, P., & Velentzas, K. (2012). Rotational preference in gymnastics. Journal of Human Kinetics, 33, 33-43.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzas, K. (2012). Judging performance in gymnastics: A matter of motor or visual experience? Science of Gymnastics Journal, 4 (1), 63-72.
  • Heinen, T., Jeraj, D., Thoeren, M., & Vinken, P. M. (2011). Target-directed running in gymnastics: The role of the springboard position as an informational source to regulate handsprings on vault. Biology of Sport. 28 (4). 215-221.
  • Heinen, T., Jeraj, D., Vinken, P. M., Knieps, K., Velentzas, K., & Richter, H. (2011). What it takes to do the double jaeger on the high bar? Science of Gymnastics Journal, 3 (3), 7-18.
  • Heinen, T., & Vinken, P. M. (2011). Monocular and binocular vision in the performance of a complex skill. Journal of Sport Science and Medicine, 10 (3), 520-527.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Fink, H. (2011). The effects of directing the learner’s gaze on skill acquisition in gymnastics. Athletic Insight, 3 (2), 165-181.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzas, K. (2011). Visual spotting in a complex skill in gymnastics. In F. Vitu, E. Castet, & L. Goffart (Eds.). Abstracts of the 16th European Conference on Eye Movements, Marseille, 21 - 25 August 2011. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 4(3), 47.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P., & Ölsberg, P. (2010). Manual guidance in gymnastics - A case study. Science of Gymnastics Journal, 2 (3), 43-56.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P., & Velentzas, K. (2010). Does laterality predict twist direction in gymnastics? Science of Gymnastics Journal, 2 (1), 5-14.


national journals:

  • Vinken, P. M. (2018). Performance impairment with taping – Objective and subjective effects of elastic taping on vertical jump performance. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin, 69, 29-34.
  • Vinken, P. M., Meereis, A., Heinen, T., & Thienes, G. (2016). Effekte elastischer Tapes auf die Freiwurfleistung im Wasserball. Leistungssport, 46 (1), 23-27.
  • Vinken, P., & Heinen, T. (2014). Das Schnick-Schnack-Schnuck-Spiel. Sport & Spiel, 2/2014, 50-52.
  • Vinken, P. M. (2013). Gemeinsam zum Salto - Grundlagen und Methodik des Salto vorwärts am Minitrampolin. Sport & Spiel, 4, 24-31.
  • Andergassen, T., Velentzas, K., Vinken, P. M., & Heinen, T. (2012). Zusammenhang zwischen Drehpräferenz und Rotationsexpertise mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der koordinativen Anforderungen im leistungsorientierten Gerät- und Kunstturnen. Zeitschrift für angewandte Trainingswissenschaft – Sonderheft, 2012(1) , 26-31.
  • Heinen, T., Veit, J., Velentzas, K., & Vinken, P. M. (2011). Anlaufregulation und Absprungkonstanz in der gerätturnerischen Disziplin "Sprung". Leistungssport, 41 (3), 27-30.
  • Vinken, P. (2011). Umgang mit Angst im Turnen. Ein praktisches Beispiel. Ü-Magazin, 2011 (2), 32-33.
  • Vinken, P. (2010). Auerbachsalto vom Balken. Ü-Magazin, 2010 (4), 22-23.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P., & Jeraj, D. (2010). Der "doppelte Jäger" simuliert am Computer. Leon Turn-Fachmagazin, 21 (1), 26-27.


book chapters:

  • Vinken, P., Hennig, L., & Menze-Sonneck, A. (2019). Konzeptuelle Differenzierung des Begriffs Ästhetik bei der Wahrnehmung von komplexen Bewegungen. In G. Thienes, D. Glage, & K. Randl (Hrsg.). Turnen trainieren und vermitteln, 73-79. Hamburg: Feldhaus.
  • Dörnenburg, L., Heise, A., Schuh, J., & Vinken, P. (2019). Subjektive Wahrnehmung der Ästhetik komplexer Bewegungen am Beispiel von Drehungen und Posen. In G. Thienes, D. Glage, & K. Randl (Hrsg.). Turnen trainieren und vermitteln, 80-85. Hamburg: Feldhaus.
  • Vinken, P. M., Stirling, V., & Thienes, G. (2017). Zum Einfluss der Manipulation von Hindernissen auf die Bewegungsregulation des Katzensprung im Parkour. In S. Korban, M. Brahms, L. Hennig, & T. Heinen (Hrsg.). Vielfalt und Vernetzung im Turnen, 17-25. Hamburg: Feldhaus.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzas, K. (2014). Contributions of sport psychology to competitive gymnastics. In L. M. Schiavon, T. Heinen, M. A. Coelho Bartoleto, M. Nunumura, & C. de Toledo (Eds.) High Performance Gymnastics, 65-80. Hildesheim: Arete.
  • Heinen, T., & Vinken, P. M. (2013). Visuomotorische Kontingenzen bei der Auswahl, Kontrolle und Aneignung von komplexen Bewegungshandlungen im Gerätturnen. In M. Pott-Klindworth, & T. Pilz (Hrsg.), Turnen – Eine Bewegungskultur im Wandel, 57-66. Hamburg: Czwalina.
  • Heinen, T., Vinken, P. M., & Velentzas, K. (2013). Gymnastics psychology. In D. Caine, K. Russell, & L. Lim (Eds.), Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science – Gymnastics, 98-107. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Vinken, P. M., Schulze, A., & Heinen, T. (2013). Entwicklung des "Mental Skills Test for Gymnastics" zur Erfassung turnspezifischer psychologischer Fertigkeiten. In M. Pott-Klindworth, & T. Pilz (Hrsg.), Turnen – Eine Bewegungskultur im Wandel, 85-93. Hamburg: Czwalina.
  • Heinen, T., Adametz, S., Vinken, P. M., & Richter, H. (2011). Zum Einfluss sportartspezifischer Rotationsexpertise bei der Wahrnehmung von Drehbewegungen. In A. Menze-Sonneck, & T. Heinen (Hrsg.), Aktuelle Themen der Turnentwicklung, 61-68. Hamburg, Czwalina.