Dr. Andreas Heißel
google-scholar profile | researchgate profile | https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-7027
educational commitment
Academic Role
Dr. Andreas Heißel works at the Professorship for Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Potsdam (Germany). His work integrates independent research, university teaching, and the coordination of interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer at the interface of mental health, physical activity, and health care.
His work is embedded in national and international scientific, professional, and practice-oriented collaborations.
He has an interdisciplinary academic background in sports science, political science, and education and holds a PhD in sport psychology.
Research Focus
Dr. Heißel’s research addresses mental and emotional health across the lifespan, focusing on psychological mechanisms, motivation, and physical activity in preventive, clinical, and real-world health care contexts. Core areas include:
• Mental health, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain
• Basic psychological needs, motivation, and behavior change
• Exercise and physical activity in mental health care
• Mindfulness- and mind–body-based interventions (including breathing- and meditation-based techniques)
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), treatment effectiveness, and evidence synthesis (including meta-analysis)
He works across clinical, translational, and services research and publishes regularly in international peer-reviewed journals while actively supporting the transfer of this research into clinical and health care practice settings.
Translational and Transfer Activities
A defining feature of Dr. Heißel’s work is the systematic linkage of research, teaching, and practice. He plays a key role in developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based interventions and professional training formats in collaboration with national and international partners and contributes to the coordination of research and transfer collaborations at the interface of academia, health care, and practice. This supports the sustainable integration of research findings into real-world prevention and care contexts.
Teaching and Academic Mentorship
Dr. Heißel teaches at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral levels in sport and health sciences. His teaching covers exercise therapy and mental health, mind–body approaches, and advanced research methods (e.g., systematic reviews and meta-analyses). He is also involved in the supervision and mentoring of early-career researchers across sport and health sciences, psychology, and medicine.
Dr. Andreas Heißel
- + 49 (0) 331 977 4078
- Campus Golm
Haus 62, Raum 2.18
Am Mühlenberg 9
14476 Potsdam - (by appointment)
wednesday 12:00-13:00
publications
2026
Liegl, G., Brinker, A. Y., Müller-Werdan, U., Heissel, A. [Andreas], Buttgereit, F., Köllner, V. et al. (2026). Bridging patient-reported outcomes and performance assessments in older adults: linking the Short Physical Performance Battery to the standardised PROMIS Physical Function scale. Age and Ageing, 55(1). doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf375
Schuch, F. B. [Felipe B.], Waclawoscky, A., Tornquist, D., Oyeyemi, A. L., Sadarangani, K. P., Takano, K. et al. (2026). UNIversity students' LIFEstyle behaviours and Mental health cohort (UNILIFE-M): study protocol of a multicentre, prospective cohort study. BMJ Open, 16(1), e085006. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085006
2025
Dhahbi, W., Briki, W., Heissel, A. [Andreas], Schega, L., Dergaa, I., Guelmami, N. et al. (2025). Physical Activity to Counter Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Benefits of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Training-A Narrative Review. Sports Medicine - Open, 11(1), 56. doi.org/10.1186/s40798-025-00857-2
Kelly, S., Meyer, J., Stielow, C., Heinzel, S. [Stephan] & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2025). Effects of an acute maximal exercise bout on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in adults with MDD. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 171, 107215. doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107215
Kelly, S., Stielow, C., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Heissel, A. [Andreas] & Meyer, J. (2025). Twelve-week Intervention Comparing High- And Low-intensity Exercise To Waitlist Control (n = 113) On IGF-1 In MDD. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 57(10S), 144. doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0001155672.25716.a9
Schwefel, M. K., Kaufmann, C., Gutmann, G., Henze, R. [R.], Fydrich, T. [T.], Rapp, M. A. et al. (2025). Effect of physical exercise training on neural activity during working memory in major depressive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 372, 269–278. doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.12.016
Wellan, S., Daniels, A., Schwefel, M., Heissel, A. [A.], Ströhle, A. [A.], Heinzel, S. [S.] et al. (2025). Predicting mental health symptoms with NBS-Predict. In Abstracts of the 5th Symposium of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie (AGNP) e. V. and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Biologische Psychiatrie (DGBP) e. V (Pharmacopsychiatry ). Georg Thieme Verlag KG.
2024
Kelly, S. J., Stielow, C., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Heissel, A. [Andreas] & Meyer, J. D. [Jacob D.]. (2024). Influences Of An Acute Exercise Bout On Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 In Major Depressive Disorder. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 56(10S), 303. doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0001055136.79571.f6
Schuch, F. B. [Felipe Barreto], Waclawovsky, A. J., Tornquist, D., Oyeyemi, A., Sadarangani, K. P., Takano, K. et al. (2024). The UNIversity students’ LIFEstyle behaviors and Mental health cohort (UNILIFE-M): Study protocol of a multicenter, prospective cohort study. doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3794023/v1
2023
Heinen, D. [Darlene], Heissel, A. [Andreas], Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Fydrich, T. [Thomas], Ströhle, A. [Andreas], Rapp, M. et al. (2023). Effect of acute and long-term exercise on leptin levels in depressed outpatients. doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2582531/v1
Heinen, D. [Darlene], Heissel, A. [Andreas], Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Fydrich, T. [Thomas], Ströhle, A. [Andreas], Rapp, M. A. et al. (2023). Effect of acute and long-term exercise on leptin levels in depressed outpatients. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 2509. doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17362-4
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Heinen, D. [Darlene], Brokmeier, L. L., Skarabis, N., Kangas, M. [Maria], Vancampfort, D. et al. (2023). Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(16), 1049–1057. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106282
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Pietrek, A. [Anou], Kangas, M. [Maria], van der Kaap-Deeder, J. & Rapp, M. A. (2023). The Mediating Role of Rumination in the Relation between Basic Psychological Need Frustration and Depressive Symptoms. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(2). doi.org/10.3390/jcm12020395
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Sanchez, A. [Alba], Pietrek, A. [Anou], Bergau, T., Stielow, C., Rapp, M. A. et al. (2023). Validating the German Short Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in Individuals with Depression. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(3). doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030412
Schwefel, M. K., Kaufmann, C., Gutmann, G., Henze, R. [R.], Fydrich, T. [T.], Rapp, M. A. et al. (2023). Physical fitness is associated with neural activity during working memory performance in major depressive disorder. NeuroImage. Clinical, 38, 103401. doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103401
2022
Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Schwefel, M. [Melanie], Sanchez, A. [Alba], Heinen, D. [Darlene], Fehm, L., Henze, R. [Romy] et al. (2022). Physical exercise training as preceding treatment to cognitive behavioral therapy in mild to moderate major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 319, 90–98. doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.024
Pérez-Chaparro, C., Kangas, M. [Maria], Zech, P., Schuch, F. B. [Felipe B.], Rapp, M. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2022). Recreational exercise is associated with lower prevalence of depression and anxiety and better quality of life in German people living with HIV. AIDS Care, 34(2), 182–187. doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2021.1889951
Pietrek, A. [Anou], Kangas, M. [Maria], Kliegl, R., Rapp, M. A., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], van der Kaap-Deeder, J. et al. (2022). Basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration in major depressive disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 962501. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.962501
Stielow, C., Heinen, D. [Darlene], Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Schwefel, M. [Melanie], Téran, C., Kallies, G. et al. (2022). BDNF At Rest And After Acute Aerobic Exercise In Women With Depression. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 54(9S), 89. doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000876156.74183.ae
Van der Kaap-Deeder, J., Sanchez, A. [Alba], Johannessen, M. R. A., Stenseng, F., Saksvik-Lehouillier, I. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2022). The validation of the Norwegian Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale: A stratified sampling procedure. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1032006. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1032006
Vancampfort, D., Heissel, A. [Andreas], Waclawovsky, A., Stubbs, B., Firth, J., McGrath, R. L. et al. (2022). Precision-based exercise in people with anxiety and stress related disorders: Are there interindividual differences in anxiolytic effects? An ancillary meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry Research, 317, 114803. doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114803
2021
Heissel, A. [A.], Bollmann, J. [J.], Kangas, M. [M.], Abdulla, K., Rapp, M. & Sanchez, A. [A.]. (2021). Validation of the German version of the work and social adjustment scale in a sample of depressed patients. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 593. doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06622-x
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Bollmann, J. [Julian], Kangas, M. [Maria], Abula, K., Rapp, M. & Sanchez, A. [Alba]. (2021). Validation of the German Version of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale in a Sample of Depressed Patients. doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-151437/v1
Oliveira Tavares, V. D. de, Vancampfort, D., Hallgren, M., Heissel, A. [Andreas], Chaparro, C. G. A. P., Solmi, M. et al. (2021). Reliability and validity of physical fitness tests in people with mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiotherapy Research International : the Journal for Researchers and Clinicians in Physical Therapy, 26(3), e1904. doi.org/10.1002/pri.1904
Pérez-Chaparro, C. G. A., Schuch, F. B. [Felipe B.], Zech, P., Kangas, M. [Maria], Rapp, M. A. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2021). Recreational Exercising and Self-Reported Cardiometabolic Diseases in German People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111579
Pietrek, A. [A.], Rapp, M., Heinen, D. [D.] & Heissel, A. [A.] (2021). Ergänzende Versorgung bei Depression: Wer geht in die Sporttherapie? In Das Soziale in Medizin und Gesellschaft – Aktuelle Megatrends fordern uns heraus 56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention (DGSMP) (Das Gesundheitswesen ). Georg Thieme Verlag KG.
2020
Heißel, A. (2020). Sporttherapie als adjuvante oder alternative Behandlung bei Depression. Psychotherapeut, 65(3), 149–155. doi.org/10.1007/s00278-020-00425-x
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Pietrek, A. [Anou], Rapp, M. A., Heinzel, S. [Stephan] & Williams, G. (2020). Perceived Health Care Climate of Older People Attending an Exercise Program: Validation of the German Short Version of the Health Care Climate Questionnaire. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 28(2), 276–286. doi.org/10.1123/japa.2018-0350
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Pietrek, A. [Anou], Schwefel, M. [Melanie], Abula, K., Wilbertz, G., Heinzel, S. [Stephan] et al. (2020). STEP.De study-a multicentre cluster-randomised effectiveness trial of exercise therapy for patients with depressive symptoms in healthcare services: study protocol. BMJ Open, 10(4), e036287. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036287
Kangas, M. [Maria] & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2020). Mental health literacy, treatment preferences and the lived experience of mental health problems in an Australian cancer sample. Psycho-Oncology, 29(11), 1883–1894. doi.org/10.1002/pon.5520
Zech, P., Schuch, F., Pérez-Chaparro, C., Kangas, M. [Maria], Rapp, M. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2020). Exercise, Comorbidities, and Health-Related Quality of Life in People Living with HIV: The HIBES Cohort Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145138
2019
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Zech, P., Rapp, M. A., Schuch, F. B. [Felipe B.], Lawrence, J. B., Kangas, M. [Maria] et al. (2019). Effects of exercise on depression and anxiety in persons living with HIV: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 126, 109823. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109823
Kallies, G., Rapp, M. A., Fydrich, T. [Thomas], Fehm, L., Tschorn, M., Terán, C. et al. (2019). Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at rest and after acute aerobic exercise in major depressive disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 102, 212–215. doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.015
Schuch, F. B. [Felipe B.], Stubbs, B., Meyer, J., Heissel, A. [Andreas], Zech, P., Vancampfort, D. et al. (2019). Physical activity protects from incident anxiety: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Depression and Anxiety, 36(9), 846–858. doi.org/10.1002/da.22915
Zech, P., Pérez-Chaparro, C., Schuch, F., Wolfarth, B., Rapp, M. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2019). Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Cardiovascular Parameters for People Living With HIV: A Meta-analysis. The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC, 30(2), 186–205. doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000006
2018
Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Rapp, M. A., Fydrich, T. [Thomas], Ströhle, A. [Andreas], Terán, C., Kallies, G. et al. (2018). Neurobiological mechanisms of exercise and psychotherapy in depression: The SPeED study-Rationale, design, and methodological issues. Clinical Trials (London, England), 15(1), 53–64. doi.org/10.1177/1740774517729161
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Pietrek, A. [Anou], Flunger, B., Fydrich, T. [Thomas], Rapp, M. A., Heinzel, S. [Stephan] et al. (2018). The Validation of the German Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale in the Context of Mental Health. European Journal of Health Psychology, 25(4), 119–132. doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000017
Pérez Chaparro, C. G. A., Zech, P., Schuch, F., Wolfarth, B., Rapp, M. & Heiβel, A. (2018). Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise alone or combined on strength and hormone outcomes for people living with HIV. A meta-analysis. PloS One, 13(9), e0203384. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203384
2017
Pérez Chaparro, C. G., Zech, P. A., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Mayer, F., Wolfarth, B., Rapp, M. et al. (2017). Effects Of Aerobic & Resistance Training On Cardiorespiratory Fitness In People Living with HIV. A Meta-analysis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49(5S), 842. doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000519265.28705.86
Zech, P. A., Rapp, M., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Wolfarth, B., Lawrence, J. B. & Heißel, A. (2017). Does Exercise Help People Living with HIV Improve Their Quality of Life? A meta-analysis. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49(5S), 470. doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000518177.22369.2f
2015
Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Lawrence, J. B., Kallies, G., Rapp, M. A. & Heissel, A. [Andreas]. (2015). Using Exercise to Fight Depression in Older Adults. GeroPsych, 28(4), 149–162. doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000133
Heissel, A. [Andreas], Vesterling, A., White, S. A., Kallies, G., Behr, D., Arafat, A. M. et al. (2015). Feasibility of an Exercise Program for Older Depressive Inpatients. GeroPsych, 28(4), 163–171. doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000134
2014
Heißel, A., Heinzel, S. [Stephan], Brand, R., Knisel, E. & Rapp, M. A. (2014). Supportive sport climate increases competence, relatedness, internalisation of motivation, and physical activity in overweight children. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 8, 43. doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2014.10.079