In our newly started series of 'Meet the AMS scientist', we shine the light on outstanding AMS researchers and dive into their background, what drives them, what their work brings them and what they bring to their work. These interviews are also shared on the AMS LinkedIn account, feel free to share within your network!
For Elze Geurts, elite sport and scientific research do not exist as separate worlds. From an early age, both have developed side by side, shaping not only her career choices, but also the way she approaches performance, recovery, and responsibility.
At the age of seven Elze began gymnastics, inspired by what she saw on television. What started as fascination quickly turned into commitment. By the age of eight, she was already competing at the top tier of the sport. While gymnastics became a central part of her life, education was always non-negotiable. For Elze, this balance came naturally, a combination she has consciously maintained ever since. Today, she works part-time in research at Amsterdam UMC while continuing her training as an elite gymnast.
Elze sees strong parallels between gymnastics and research. While gymnastics may appear individual, it is ultimately a team effort. Research functions much in the same way. Although she focuses on her own research, she works within a large, collaborative team, particularly within orthopedics and ankle-focused research groups. In both fields, individual performance contributes to a collective outcome.
Her interest in orthopedics developed organically through her experiences as an athlete. Like many elite gymnasts, Elze has dealt with her share of injuries and spent considerable time working with sports physicians and orthopedic surgeons. Being well supported during these periods inspired her to pursue this specialty herself. Having stood on both sides—first as a patient, now as a physician—she brings a unique and informed perspective into her work.
Elze’s research focuses on ankle cartilage defects, with a particular emphasis on return to sport following different treatments. Working with elite athletes resonates strongly with Elze. She values commitment, discipline, and full engagement, qualities she recognizes both in herself and in high-performance sport. While some patients struggle to complete intensive rehabilitation programs, elite athletes tend to adhere more strictly to demanding protocols. This makes the research not only scientifically interesting, but also personally motivating
Looking ahead, Elze aims to become an orthopedic surgeon, with the ankle as a future subspecialization. While that goal still lies some distance away, her long-term vision is clear: to continue working at the intersection of sport, medicine, and research. Athletically, she plans to pursue gymnastics at the highest level until the 2028 Olympic Games.
Whether in the gym or in the clinic, Elze Geurts approaches her work with the same mindset: the belief that meaningful progress is built through consistent effort, collaboration, and responsibility. True to her character, she prefers to do things fully or not at all.
This article is a repost of the AMS LinkedIn post about Elze.