Pressemitteilungen

Press conference with Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Minister for Science Ina Brandes On Tuesday 26 May 2026, the German Sport University Cologne will welcome Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Minister for Science Ina Brandes to its campus in Cologne-Müngersdorf. The visit marks the handover of the funding commitment from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for the modernisation of the university’s key infrastructure as part of the North Rhine-Westphalia Plan. The Lord Mayor of Cologne, Torsten Burmester, will also be present at the event. The planned measures include, amongst other things, the energy-efficiency refurbishment of the North Halls, the Aquatics Centre and the Central Library of Sport Science. In doing so, the state is investing in sustainable and future-proof conditions for research, teaching and practical sports training at Germany’s only sports university. “The planned investments send an important signal for the future of Cologne as a centre for sport and science. They enable us to develop our infrastructure sustainably and create modern conditions for students, researchers and elite sport,” explains President Prof. Dr Ansgar Thiel. During the visit, Minister-President Wüst and Minister Brandes will present the funding commitment to the President of the German Sport University Cologne, Prof. Dr Ansgar Thiel, and to Provost Marion Steffen. This will be followed by a tour of the university’s current research projects. Time: Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 10.00 am Venue: German Sport University Cologne Athletics Facility, 1st floor Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6 50933 Cologne Press statements are scheduled at the start of the event. Media representatives are cordially invited to cover the event. Please register by Friday, 22 May 2026, 6.00 pm, by emailing presse@dshs-koeln.de

Researchers unveil the first digital system for measuring swimming ability – invitation to a practical demonstration on 28 May in Berlin. One in two children leaves primary school without being able to swim safely. At the same time, teachers delivering swimming lessons both in and out of school are increasingly faced with diverse learning groups and limited resources. A research project by the German Sport University Cologne and the Europa-Universität Flensburg can now offer a digital solution to this problem for the first time: The newly developed swimming instruction app enables swimming ability to be systematically assessed and individual support needs to be identified. The app helps teachers to design tailored swimming lessons more easily, safely and efficiently. On 28 May 2026, the German Sport University Cologne and the Europa-Universität Flensburg are inviting media representatives, experts in the field, and representatives from the worlds of education, sport and politics to Berlin for the closing symposium of the research project ‘EuViS – Die App zur Diagnostik von Lernausgangslagen und der Gestaltung von passgenauem Schwimmunterricht’. At the heart of this project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space under the ‘VIP+’ programme (Validation of the Technological and Societal Innovation Potential of Scientific Research), centres on the question of how children with different starting points can learn to swim more effectively in future – supported by scientifically sound digital diagnostics. The app is based on the ‘Eulenblick’ method, which visualises swimming proficiency levels and uses this to derive specific recommendations for lessons and exercises. At the closing symposium, the project leaders will present the latest research findings, insights into the app’s development, and lessons learnt from the pilot and validation phases. A particular highlight will be a practical demonstration with a Berlin primary school class during a swimming lesson. Contributors include representatives from the German Sport University Cologne, the Europa-Universität Flensburg, the DLRG (German Life Saving Association), the German Swimming Federation, as well as experts from academia and the world of sport. Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026 10.00–16.30 Venue: Hotel Oderberger Oderberger Str. 57, 10435 Berlin Programme highlights: First-ever presentation of the swimming instruction app for assessing swimming ability Live practical demonstration in the water with a Berlin primary school class Insights into research, pilot studies and scientific validation Discussion on the future of swimming instruction in schools and clubs Panel discussion with representatives from academia, schools and sport Media representatives welcome Journalists are warmly invited to attend the event. The practical demonstration will take place from 11.45 am to 12.30 pm. Opportunities for interviews with the project leaders and experts on site will be available after the practical demonstration. The detailed programme can be found in the appendix. Further information on the EuViS project We look forward to your coverage. Please contact Lea Feger with the following details (name, media outlet, format and team size): l.feger@dshs-koeln.de

German Sport University Cologne invites you to the 2026 Trainerinnen-Symposium How can we attract more women to coaching in elite sport and retain them in the long term? What structural changes are needed to promote equal opportunities, a work-life balance and attractive career paths for female coaches? These and other questions will be addressed at the Trainerinnen-Symposium on 2 July 2026 (10:00–17:00) at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne. The event is taking place as part of the research project ‘Trainerinnen – Qualifizierung von Frauen für den Trainerberuf’ (QualiFT) at the German Sport University Cologne, which is funded by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft (BISp). The symposium brings together experts from academia, sports policy, sports federations and the coaching profession. The Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering is scheduled to attend. The focus will be on presenting key project findings, as well as discussing and exchanging views on (international) ‘promising practices’ for promoting women in the coaching profession. Contributors include, amongst others: Prof. Dr Astrid Schubring and Prof. Dr Karen Petry (QualiFT project team, German Sport University Cologne) Dr Babette Kibele (Abteilungsleiterin Sport und Ehrenamt im Bundeskanzleramt) Wiebke Fabinski (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund) Isabell Sawade (Coach of the Year 2023 and Head of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Team at Deutscher Turner-Bundes) Holger Hasse (Trainer*innen Deutschland) Following specialist presentations and panel discussions, the symposium will offer practical workshops on career development, work-life balance, and communication strategies and leadership in elite sport. Further information: https://www.dshs-koeln.de/qualift Accreditation Media representatives are warmly invited to attend the event and report on the outcomes and discussions. For interview requests and to obtain accreditation, please contact Karina Müller.

The State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU are funding the expansion of start-up support at the German Sport University Cologne until the end of 2028 The German Sport University Cologne is making a long-term commitment to strengthening its start-up support: as part of the ‘Start-up Center.NRW’ funding scheme, the Start-up Centre Gateway DSHS Köln is receiving around 1.5 million euros from NRW and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project began on 1 January 2026 and will run until the end of 2028. With this funding, the German Sport University Cologne is further consolidating its position as a start-up-friendly university and strengthening its role as a supra-regional player for knowledge-based start-ups in the fields of sport, exercise, performance and health. “ The German Sport University Cologne has set itself the goal of establishing itself as a key supra-regional player and catalyst for knowledge-based start-ups in the fields of sport, exercise, performance and health ,” says Prof. Dr Tobias Vogt , Vice Rector for Research and Transfer at the German Sport University. “The Start-up Centre Gateway DSHS Köln project will make a key contribution to further developing the start-up culture at the university and embedding it sustainably in the mission statement and structures of the German Sport University Cologne,” adds Dr Anja Chevalier , project manager and head of the Department for Transfer and Start-ups and of the Gateway DSHS Köln. A new space for innovation and entrepreneurship A key component of the project is the creation of a ‘Space for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, which will be established on the library premises in collaboration with the Zentralbibliothek der Sportwissenschaften (ZBSport), the Central Library of Sports Sciences. It will be open to all members of the university community as well as interested members of the public. “Today, libraries are far more than just places providing access to knowledge. They are key spaces for interaction, exchange and the joint development of new ideas on campus. With the planned ‘Space for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, we are creating a place where learning, creativity and start-up culture come together, enabling innovative projects in sports science to emerge,” says Sarah Dudek , Head of ZBSport. The space combines expertise in sports science with entrepreneurial thinking and provides a setting for creative exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and the development and testing of new ideas. In addition to co-working spaces for start-up teams and university staff, the plans include a digitally oriented makerspace with modern prototyping infrastructure, including 3D printing technologies, innovative teaching equipment (e.g. LEGO® SPIKE), as well as equipment for podcasts and cameras, and other materials from the former media workshop. The whole initiative is complemented by a training programme covering, amongst other things, prototyping and innovative teaching and learning methods. Strengthening networks and jointly developing start-up support Furthermore, in collaboration with the Communications and Marketing department, the Sports University’s alumni and partner network is being systematically expanded to create a fertile ground for knowledge-based spin-offs from sports science and collaborations with the professional world. The motto “Together we are stronger and can achieve more” is also reflected in the collaboration within the Gateway network of Cologne’s universities. Cologne’s largest universities have joined forces to support start-ups in Cologne under the “Gateway” brand and the motto “Make Ideas Work”. The universities operate a joint, cross-institutional ‘Start-up Journey’ programme, which guides and supports the start-up process from the initial idea through to company formation and financing. As part of the Start-up Centre.NRW funding programme – from which TH Köln has also received funding – the cross-university support services for knowledge-based spin-offs will be further expanded over the coming years, and the Gateway and alumni communities will be further strengthened. The Gateway universities in Cologne are thus working together with local stakeholders – such as the business development agency, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the savings banks and many others – to foster a strong start-up ecosystem in Cologne and promote innovations from the fields of (sports) science. About the project The Gateway DSHS Köln Start-up Centre is being funded until the end of 2028 as part of the ‘Start-up Centre.NRW’ funding competition by the Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the Europäische Fonds für regionale Entwicklung (ERDF/JTF Programme NRW 2021–2027), with funding of around 1.5 million euros until the end of 2028. The Start-up Centre Gateway DSHS project team comprises Dr Anja Chevalier (project lead and head of the Department for Transfer and Start-ups and of Gateway DSHS Cologne) and Dr Sophia Haski (Start-ups), Britta Paulzen (Alumni & Networking), Dr Pavana Lakshmi Vaddavalli (Innovation & Transfer) and Saskia Koll (Marketing & Communications). Gateway DSHS Köln Start-up Centre Project page

Minister-President Wüst and Minister for Science Brandes announce investment commitment to ensure the long-term sustainability of Germany’s only sports university The German Sport University Cologne is to receive over 86 million euros from the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur . The largest investment programme in the state’s history will thus contribute, amongst other things, to the modernisation and energy-efficiency upgrades at the German Sport University Cologne. Specifically, the North Halls – which are used as training facilities for racket and ball sports, as well as apparatus and floor gymnastics – will be thoroughly modernised and expanded. This will result in a fully climate-neutral energy supply. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2033. The swimming centre and the world’s largest specialist library in sports science will also be fitted out to be more energy-efficient and sustainable by 2028. The energy optimisation of the three buildings will save up to 669 tonnes of CO ₂ and 250,000 euros in energy costs annually. The Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur allocates 2.3 billion euros to the sector of higher education, research, teaching and knowledge transfer alone. On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, presented the funding commitment for the German Sport University Cologne at its Cologne-Müngersdorf campus to the Rector, Professor Ansgar Thiel, and the Chancellor, Marion Steffen. Cologne’s Lord Mayor, Torsten Burmester, also attended the event. The funding comes entirely from the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur. Minister-President Hendrik Wüst said: “North Rhine-Westphalia stands for cutting-edge research and scientific excellence – and that also applies to sport. The German Sport University Cologne is a real flagship for our state: as Germany’s only sports university, it combines the transfer of scientific findings into sporting practice in an exemplary manner, from grassroots sport right through to competitive and elite sport. Through the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur, we are investing billions of euros in our infrastructure. Around 2.3 billion euros alone are being channelled into the refurbishment of buildings and equipment for research and teaching – more than ever before. This demonstrates the importance that this state government attaches to cutting-edge research and teaching. Our strong sports science landscape is an indispensable pillar for our status as the number one sporting region and, consequently, for our bid to host the most compact, sustainable and spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science: “The German Sport University Cologne is unique in the world. It trains sports teachers, coaches and managers for elite sport as well as for grassroots and school sport. With the investment from the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur, we will succeed in supplying the campus with energy in a sustainable and climate-neutral way. At the same time, we are investing in the health, fitness and quality of life of future generations.” Rector of the German Sport University Cologne, Prof. Dr Ansgar Thiel: “The investment by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia sends a strong signal for the future of the German Sport University Cologne. They lay the foundations for us to secure and further expand our leading position in research, teaching and innovation in sports science in the long term. At the same time, they strengthen the sustainable development of our campus.” Marion Steffen, Chancellor of the German Sport University Cologne: “By modernising key buildings, we are making targeted investments in a sustainable and future-proof infrastructure for future generations of students. We are not only improving conditions for study, research and sports practice, but are also making an important contribution to greater energy efficiency and climate protection on our campus.” Minister-President Wüst and Minister for Science Brandes visited, amongst other things, the athletics facility and one of the University’s 19 institutes: the Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation. The research conducted there into brain-body dynamics focuses, amongst other things, on examining movement and physical exertion in real-life everyday situations, such as in the office or other working environments. This enables the identification of factors that positively influence one’s own behaviour towards greater physical activity and help keep the body and mind healthy in the long term. The transfer of this research into practical application plays a central role – including through the practical training of specialists who are directly employed by the university as exercise instructors or teachers. Nationwide, just under one in six PE teachers (approx. 16.7 per cent) are trained at the Cologne University of Sport. In North Rhine-Westphalia, over half of all trainee PE teachers study in Cologne. Furthermore, the German Sport University Cologne, in cooperation with the Trainerakademie Köln des Deutschen Olympischen Sportbundes, is committed to making Cologne an internationally competitive centre for elite sport. One of the five transfer centres focuses specifically on Olympic studies. The University is thus also supporting the bid for the KölnRheinRuhr Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Cologne as the leading city, by contributing as a scientific partner during the national and international bid phase. The focus will be primarily on accompanying processes of public participation and acceptance, covering the research areas of sustainability, inclusion, good governance, health promotion, the post-event use of sports facilities, and the evaluation of the Olympic Games. About the German Sport University Cologne The German Sport University Cologne is Germany’s only and Europe’s largest sports university. It has 61,000 m² of sports facilities – equivalent to approximately eight and a half football pitches. The modernisation project covers 6,700 m² of floor space. More than 20 sports halls, an indoor and outdoor athletics facility, a swimming centre, a high-performance centre for hockey and judo, and a shooting range cover almost the entire spectrum of sport. Currently, more than 6,000 people from over 90 countries are studying on 25 degree programmes at the 79-year-old university. Across a total of 19 academic institutes, five transfer centres and a further four affiliated institutes, sports science is researched in all its breadth and depth – from health-related topics, biomechanical and psychological issues right through to economic, historical and ethical considerations of sport. Social issues such as demographic change, inclusion and nature-based tourism – for example, hiking – are also the subject of research and are rapidly being incorporated into grassroots sport and health-promoting initiatives. Investments in the future for universities, university hospitals and research institutions A total of 2.3 billion euros is available from the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur for the sectors of higher education, university hospitals and research. The funds will finance investments that contribute to the major issues of the future and sustainably strengthen and advance North Rhine-Westphalia as a centre for research and science: artificial intelligence, digitalisation, the fight against major widespread diseases, as well as energy efficiency and sustainability. Funding is being provided for highly effective investments that can deliver maximum impact and for which no provision had been made in the current budget. Background: Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur The Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan für gute Infrastruktur is the largest infrastructure and investment programme in the state’s history. Over a period of twelve years, the state government is making a total of around 31.2 billion euros available for investment. In addition, the state government guarantees the local authorities the level of investment lump sums set out in the Gemeindefinanzierungsgesetz (GFG) for a total of twelve years, thereby providing a further 27.6 billion euros in investment funds. Should tax revenues fall, the lump-sum payments will be topped up from the state budget. In addition, the state is providing relief to local authorities by assuming a proportion of their existing municipal debts. Under the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan, around 21.3 billion euros is allocated to local authorities, whilst just under 10 billion euros is to be invested in the state’s infrastructure. The programme focuses in particular on the expansion and modernisation of nurseries and schools, as well as transport infrastructure. Furthermore, investments are planned in healthcare, energy-efficiency refurbishment and climate protection, sport, digitalisation, as well as in the economy, research and science. In addition to state funds, the financing is based on funds allocated to the state from the Special Fund for Infrastructure and Climate Protection, from which North Rhine-Westphalia receives around 21.1 billion euros. Overall, the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Plan is intended to help reduce existing investment backlogs, modernise key infrastructure and implement new projects more quickly. This will provide cities, local authorities and other organisations with a reliable framework for launching key local projects and strengthening infrastructure in the long term.

Closing symposium of the EuViS research project highlights the potential of digital diagnostics for promoting swimming among children One in two children leaves primary school without being able to swim confidently. At the same time, teachers delivering swimming lessons both in and out of school are faced with increasingly diverse learning groups and limited resources. Researchers from the German Sport University Cologne and the Europa-Universität Flensburg demonstrated how swimming instruction can be made more personalised and effective in future at the final symposium of the EuViS research project in Berlin. The event centred on the presentation of a newly developed swimming instruction app. The app enables teachers to systematically assess swimming ability, identify individual learning levels and derive tailored learning content from this. The app is based on the scientifically developed learning assessment tool ‘Eulenblick’ and has been developed and validated over the past three years in collaboration with schools, associations and other partners in the field. Around 90 invited representatives from the fields of science, education, politics, associations and the world of sport used the symposium as an opportunity to discuss current challenges in swimming instruction and possible solutions. Guests included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the education authorities of various federal states, sports federations and educational institutions from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “Educational innovations realise their value not merely because they are theoretically convincing, but because they become genuinely practicable and applicable in everyday life , ” emphasised Professor Tobias Vogt, project leader of the EuViS project and head of the Institute of Professional Sport Education and Sport Qualifications at the German Sport University Cologne. The EuViS project is a prime example of the transfer of scientific findings into practice. From the outset, researchers worked closely with schools, teachers, federations and educational institutions. The tools developed were not only designed on a scientific basis, but also tested under real-world conditions and continuously refined. “Experience from Schleswig-Holstein shows that, by using the app, teachers gain greater confidence in assessing pupils’ learning progress and can provide children with more tailored support , ” explains project leader Dr Nele Schlapkohl from the Europa-Universität Flensburg. A highlight of the symposium was the practical demonstration with a primary school class from Berlin. Participants were able to observe first-hand how the learning assessment tool is used in the water and how the app supports teachers in observing, documenting and supporting children. In his welcoming address, Professor Ansgar Thiel , Rector of the German Sport University Cologne, placed the project’s findings within a broader social context. “Swimming is far more than just a sporting skill. As a fundamental life skill, it gives children a sense of security, self-confidence and social inclusion.” Promoting swimming proficiency is therefore not only a task for sports education but also a social one. The concluding panel discussion also made it clear that sustainable improvements in swimming provision can only be achieved through collaboration between academia, politics, associations and practitioners. Topics discussed included the importance of evidence-based support measures, the role of data-driven assessment, and ways of integrating successful pilot projects into existing educational structures in the long term. The research project “EuViS – Die App zur Diagnostik von Lernausgangslagen und der Gestaltung von passgenauem Schwimmunterricht” was carried out by the German Sport University Cologne in collaboration with the Europa-Universität Flensburg. The project received funding of around 1.6 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space under the VIP+ funding programme (“Validation of the Technological and Societal Innovation Potential of Scientific Research”). “The project’s findings show that data-driven assessment can make a significant contribution to tailoring swimming lessons more effectively and supporting children in line with their individual needs. The project thus helps to improve children’s swimming ability and to enhance their participation in physical activity, sport and social life,” said project leader Dr Ilka Staub from the German Sport University Cologne.

Two key institutions for training and further education in German elite sport are forging even closer ties: Under a new cooperation agreement, the German Sport University Cologne and the Trainerakademie Köln of Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB) are pooling their expertise – with the clear aim of sustainably strengthening Cologne’s position as a centre for elite sport and significantly advancing the transfer of knowledge between research and practice. Both partners are contributing their respective strengths: whilst Germany’s only sports university stands for excellence in research and academic teaching, the Trainerakademie Köln has many years of experience in the practical training of coaches in elite sport. This even closer integration will create new synergies, from which athletes, coaches and young talent in particular are set to benefit. “With this collaboration, we are not only strengthening Cologne as a centre for sport, but also sending a clear signal for the future of German elite sport. By integrating scientific excellence and top-level coach training even more closely, we are laying the foundations for innovation, performance and sustainable success at an international level,” says Professor Ansgar Thiel, President of the German Sport University Cologne, on the aim of the partnership. Higher quality in education and training At the heart of the partnership is the joint training of highly qualified specialists for elite sport. The aim is to train coaches to an internationally competitive standard – grounded in scientific research whilst remaining closely linked to practical training. The aim is for the latest research findings to find their way onto the training ground more quickly, whilst, conversely, valuable practical experience is fed directly into teaching and research. This creates a continuous exchange that enhances quality on both sides. Representatives of both partners signed the new cooperation agreement during the 40th Internationaler Kongress Nachwuchsleistungssport NRW 2026 at the German Sport University Cologne in April. Specific benefits of the collaboration The agreement lays the foundation for a wide range of concrete measures: Practical experience meets the lecture theatre: Coaches and teaching staff from both institutions will be more closely involved in teaching and professional development. Students will thus benefit from direct practical knowledge drawn from elite sport. Joint research: Projects with a clear link to training practice ensure that scientific findings are applied in a targeted manner within elite sport. New educational opportunities: Innovative programmes are planned – ranging from continuing professional development courses to jointly developed degree programmes. Career paths in sport: The acquisition of coaching licences will be more closely integrated into degree programmes and facilitated through access to leading sports federations. Greater visibility for Cologne: Joint initiatives are designed to further raise the city’s profile as a centre for elite sport. Cologne as a future hub for elite sport According to the cooperation agreement, the geographical proximity and existing personal connections provide ideal conditions for bringing the collaboration to life. The new agreement builds on a long-standing partnership – and now takes it to a new level. For students, coaches and organised sport, this means one thing above all: better training, closer networking and more innovation in elite sport – a clear signal, particularly against the backdrop of a potential Olympic bid .

23rd Annual Conference of the dvs-Kommission Gesundheit, 3–5 September, 2026, at the German Sport University Cologne Smartwatches, fitness apps, or digital rehabilitation programs: Today, digital technologies support millions of people in their sports activities and daily lives. They count steps, analyze sleep, or create workout programs. Nevertheless, many people still do not get enough exercise. Technology is advancing rapidly—but does it actually help make people healthier? Can digital tools effectively help prevent common diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or obesity? And how will artificial intelligence transform prevention and rehabilitation in the future? These are the questions to be addressed at the 23rd Annual Conference of the Kommission Gesundheit der Deutschen Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft (dvs), which will take place from 3 to 5 September, 2026, at the German Sport University Cologne. Under the theme “Smart Health and Sports Science—The Future of Health Promotion, Prevention, and Rehabilitation?”, researchers from Germany and abroad will discuss current research findings and future prospects for healthy living in an increasingly digitized society. The focus will be on questions such as: How can digital technologies motivate people to be more active? What opportunities and limitations do wearables and digital health applications offer? How can scientific findings be better applied to prevention, therapy, and rehabilitation? Highlights of the scientific program include three international keynote presentations : Prof. Carol Maher (Adelaide University, Australia) will demonstrate how health apps and digital exercise programs can make the leap from research into patients’ everyday lives. Prof. Dr. Moritz Schumann (Technical University of Munich) will explore what smartwatches and fitness trackers actually reveal about our health. Prof. Dr. Ansgar Thiel (German Sport University Cologne) will address the question of how health promotion can succeed as work, leisure, and physical activity increasingly take place in the digital realm. In addition to a total of 99 presentations by scientists, another highlight of the program is the Young Investigator Award , where early-career researchers present their work. An extensive poster session provides an overview of current developments and innovative research projects and offers the opportunity to engage directly with researchers and discover topics of high societal relevance. Possible topics for your coverage Are you looking for experts on the major health issues of our time? Then come to the German Sport University Cologne. Possible topics for your coverage at the conference include: Can AI motivate people to be more active? How useful are smartwatches from a medical perspective? Physical activity as “medicine” for diabetes, cancer, or depression Aging healthily through physical activity Digital Prevention: What Works Scientifically? Invitation to the Media Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the conference. Participation is free of charge, but prior accreditation is required. In addition, the keynote speakers will be available for interview questions for 30 to 45 minutes following their respective presentations. If you are a journalist interested in this, please contact the person designated for interview requests. Media Accreditation and Interview Requests: Chuck Tholl Phone: +49 221 4982-8724 Email: c.tholl@dshs-koeln.de Conference Office: Dr. Berit Labott Phone: +49 221 4982-7116 Email: info@dvs-gesundheit2026.de Further information on the program can be found on the conference website and in our conference flyer . The conference is organized under the direction of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bettina Wollesen (Vice President for Health & Physical Activity at the dvs) from the Institute for Exercise Therapy and Exercise-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation at the German Sport University Cologne.