University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain.
Dr. Eider Barba Balda is a dedicated professional in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, with a disciplined and efficient approach to teaching and research. With over four years of experience in physical training for sports teams and a passion for optimizing athlete performance, she is currently developing her doctoral thesis on sleep optimization for professional athletes. Her commitment to education, innovation, and excellence defines her as a leader in the field of sports sciences.
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Education 🎓
Eider Barba Balda’s educational journey reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing expertise in sports sciences and athlete performance. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sports Sciences at UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, where her research focuses on optimizing sleep for improved athletic performance. Alongside her doctoral studies, she is engaged in an Advanced Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition (online), emphasizing healthy eating trends tailored for athletes. Eider holds a Master’s in Physical and Sports Activity Science (2021) from UPV/EHU, specializing in research on sports performance, and a Degree in Physical and Depth Activity Sciences (2020) from the same institution, where she earned an academic excellence award. Additionally, she is pursuing a Master in Resistance Training (online, MSA Training), honing her expertise in endurance sports. This diverse academic foundation underscores her dedication to integrating scientific knowledge with practical applications in sports training and nutrition.
Professional Experience 🏅
Eider Barba Balda’s professional experience showcases her specialization in physical training and her dedication to advancing sports performance. As a Physical Trainer at Real Sociedad Fútbol S.A.D. (2020–2024), she has focused on optimizing performance for professional rowing athletes. Her expertise extends to youth training, having served as a Trainer at Urkirolak (2018–2019), where she taught rowing techniques to children and adolescents in various categories. Additionally, she has contributed as an Assistant Fitness Trainer, supporting training programs for men's first teams and women's youth teams. Eider’s role as a Research Collaborator in R&D projects reflects her commitment to integrating innovation and scientific advancements into the sports field.
Research Interests 🔬
💤 Sleep and Recovery Strategies
Eider's research delves into optimizing athlete performance by enhancing recovery through sleep. Her doctoral thesis focuses on the pivotal role of sleep in improving physical and mental performance for professional athletes.
🏋️♀️ Sports Performance Enhancement
Eider specializes in methods to enhance sports performance, including training load management and competition strategies, particularly for rowing athletes and team sports.
🥗 Dietary and Nutritional Interventions
With a focus on dietary trends and nutritional science, Eider researches how balanced nutrition and diet optimization impact athlete well-being and performance.
🏃♂️ Endurance Training Methodologies
Eider is passionate about endurance sports, studying techniques to improve stamina and long-term athletic output, which is evident in her ongoing Master’s in Resistance Training.
🧩 Bridging Research and Practice
Eider strives to connect academic insights with real-world applications, ensuring that her findings contribute directly to advancing professional sports training and athlete care.
Awards 🏆
Academic Excellence Award (2020): Recognized for outstanding performance during her undergraduate studies in Sports Sciences.
Publications 📚
Comparison of External Load During Pre-Match Warm-Up Among Different Age Categories From the Same Football Professional Club, Journal: Kinesiology (2024), Contributors: David Casamichana, Eider Barba, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura, Oier Agirrezabalaga, Julen Castellano. Link
Match Peak Speeds, Maximum Accelerations, and Maximum Decelerations Differ in Young Football Players: Expression of Maximal Capacities is Dependent on Match Context, Journal: Sport Sciences for Health (June 2024), Contributors: Hugo Silva, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura. Link