Eirik Halvorsen Wik is a Scientific Researcher with the Aspetar Sports Injury and Illness Prevention Programme (ASPREV). He is particularly interested in research that can support youth athletes in developing to their full potential. This includes collaborative projects with FIFA and other IOC Research Centers aiming to understand factors that may influence injury patterns, performance development, and selection processes.
Eirik completed his PhD whilst working as a Postgraduate Researcher at Aspetar (2017-2021) through a collaboration with Aspire Academy and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (Norway). The PhD project examined relationships between growth, maturation and injuries in youth football and athletics. He subsequently worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University in South Africa (2021-2025), primarily focusing on research related to youth athletic development and health problems in Para sport. He has practical experience as a physical performance coach in the Norwegian “Toppserien” and sport science consultant in the South African Premier Soccer League. He has also contributed to the development of coach education programs for youth football academies and national teams through the Norwegian FA.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Sport Science (Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Norwegian School of Sport Sciences)
- MSc in Sport Science – Specialization in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics (Norwegian School of Sport Sciences)
- BSc in Sport Science - Specialization in Sports Biology (Norwegian School of Sport Sciences)
- Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA)
Career Achievements:
- Research Fellow, Division of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Stellenbosch University (2025-)
- Top 5 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Award, Stellenbosch University (2023)
- Published 25+ peer-reviewed journal articles
- Supervised 15+ BSc Honours, MSc and PhD students to successful graduation
- Invited speaker at multiple international conferences and coach education initiatives