Sylvain Laborde

Where mind meets body

Dr. Sylvain Laborde is a sports-psychologist and researcher at the German Sport University Cologne, leading the HRV Lab:orde, focused on the Vagal Tank Theory, psychophysiological self-regulation, and emotional intelligence.

His research combines experimental and applied approaches in sport, health, and education, bridging neuroscience and social psychology.

213 publications

peer-reviewed in psychophysiology, sport & health psychology

264,500 Reads

and 8,693 Citations via ResearchGate

Lecturer at German Sports University Cologne

teaching Sport Psychology, Mental Training, Emotional Intelligence, Breathing Techniques and HRV.

in 5 languages

International collaborations across 10 + countries and emotional intelligence in 5 languages

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Sylvain's work spans both basic and applied research, combining rigorous experimental studies with real-world applications in sports, music, and high-pressure professional settings. He is particularly interested in how physiological markers of self-regulation can be used to enhance mental and physical performance.

Beyond research, Sylvain is active in science communication, engaging with broader audiences through lectures, workshops, and science slams. He has an extensive international network, collaborating with researchers worldwide and supervising the next generation of scientists in performance psychophysiology.

Your heart makes you smart

Award-winning HRV Keynote Speaker

Sylvain Laborde is deeply committed to making science accessible, engaging, and emotionally resonant. As a passionate science communicator, he combines psychology, physiology, and storytelling to bring complex research on self-regulation, heart–brain interaction, and emotional intelligence to a broad audience.

He has shared his work at public science events across Europe — from Falling Walls Berlin to La Fête de la Science and the Science Slam World Cup — where he captivates audiences by connecting scientific rigor with humor, emotion, and everyday relevance.

His engaging communication style has been recognized with numerous awards, including:

🏆 Falling Walls Berlin Finalist (2020)
🥇 Science Slam DAAD France – Jury Prize (2020) and Public Prize (2019)
🥇 FEPSAC Science Slam Jury Prize (Padova, 2022)
🥇 Weitblick Science Slam Winner (Münster, 2022)
🥇 "Ma Thèse en 180 secondes" Normandy – Jury Prize (2019)
🏅 Teaching Award, German Sport University Cologne (2019, Seminar Category)

His performances have been featured by Arte TV, Deutschlandradio Kultur, and Ouest-France, among others. Whether on stage or in the classroom, his goal remains the same: to build a bridge between science and society — and to show that research can touch both the heart and the mind.

Media Presence

Vagusnerv: Wie das Hirn zum Herzen spricht

2024 ∙ ARTE Doku ∙ ZDF

Watch here

Work-out für den Vagus: So trainieren Sie Ihren Anti-Stress-Nerv

27.02.2025 ∙ Health ∙ Der Spiegel

Your heart makes you emotionally tough

Publications

148
Zeitschriftenaufsätze

109
Konferenzbeitrag - Abstract in Konferenzband

20
Beiträge in Sammelwerken

8
Konferenzbeitrag -Andere Beiträge zu Konferenzen

31
Mehr

Research Gate

Vagal Tank Theory: The Three Rs of Cardiac Vagal Control Functioning – Resting, Reactivity, and Recovery

Laborde, S., Mosley, E., & Mertgen, A. (2018). Vagal tank theory: the three rs of cardiac vagal control functioning–resting, reactivity, and recovery. Frontiers in neuroscience, 12, 458.

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