Prof. Dr. Dr. Sylvain Laborde
Where mind meets body
Prof. Dr. Dr. Sylvain Laborde is leading the HRV LABorde at the German Sport University Cologne, within the Department of Performance Psychology.
His research focuses since almost two decades on Heart Rate Variability (HRV), as a self-regulation marker.
His research anchored in Performance Psychophysiology combines experimental and applied approaches in sport, health, and performance.
His main Research Topics:
- the Vagal Tank Theory
- Methodological recommendations to work with HRV
- Emotional Intelligence
- Breathing Techniques
213 publications
peer-reviewed in psychophysiology, sport & health psychology
264,500 Reads
and 8,693 Citations via ResearchGate
Lecturer at the German Sport 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
🇫🇷🇬🇧🇪🇸🇩🇪🇮🇹
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
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.
Education
Bachelor in Sport Science
Specialization: "Sport Training"- University of Caen Normandie, France
2005
Bachelor in Psychology
Specialization:"Social Psychology"- University of Caen Normandie, France
2008
Bachelor in Biology
Specialization: "Genomic and functional human physiology"-Aix-Marseille University, France
2023
Master in Sport Science
Master 1: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Thesis: "Physiological Influence of Pedal Rate Choice in Cycling"
2005-06
Master in Sport Science
Master 2: University of Caen, France
Thesis: "Influence of Laterality in Archery"
2006-07
PhD in Sport Science
European PhD, University of Caen (France) and German Sport University, Cologne (Germany).
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Dr. LucCollard (Caen) & Prof. Dr.Dr. Markus Raab (Cologne)
PhD thesis: "Psychological Factors and Performance: The Influence of Emotions on Athletes'Decision Making"
2011
PhD in Psychology
European PhD, Normandie Université Caen / German Sport University Cologne
PhD Supervisors: : Prof. Dr. Fabrice Dosseville
PhD Thesis: "Slow-paced breathing and cardiac vagal activity: Influence on stress regulation, sleep, and cognitive executive performance"
2019
Habilitation
German Sport University Cologne
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Dr. MarkusRaab
Topic: "Vagal tank theory: a functional approach to self-regulation resources, bridging the gap between neurophysiology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology"
2021
Current Status
Associate Professor (apl.-Prof. Dr. Dr.), Tenured position-Civil Servant ("Beamter auf Lebenszeit–Akademischer Rat") - German Sport University, Cologne (Germany)
- Head of HRV Performance Psychophysiology Lab (HRV LABorde)
- Psychologist
Current Main Projects
- Interventions targeting non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, using heart rate variability based on the Vagal Tank Theory (Slow-paced breathing, transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Esports, Handtouch, Diving reflex...)
- Emotional Intelligence training at school with InSafeHands (Bochum & Cologne, Germany)
Media Presence
Work-out für den Vagus: So trainieren Sie Ihren Anti-Stress-Nerv
27.02.2025 ∙ Health ∙ Der Spiegel
Sylvain´s research has been featured in international media and public science events across Europe. If you want to see more about his latest media presence, you should check out News.
Your heart makes you emotionally tough
Publications
Zeitschriftenaufsätze
- 109
Konferenzbeitrag - Abstract in Konferenzband
- 20
Beiträge in Sammelwerken
Konferenzbeitrag -Andere Beiträge zu Konferenzen
Mehr
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.
You are really unique when you face pressure
Contact
+49 221 4982 5701
s.laborde@dshs-koeln.de
@prof.dr.dr.sylvain.laborde
@sylvainlaborde
