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In everyday life, people often find themselves juggling multiple tasks at once — for example, while working on a computer, studying, or driving. In addition to traditional multitasking, we repeatedly make conscious decisions about when to continue one task or switch to another. Although this behaviour is ubiquitous, the underlying decision-making processes have not yet been fully understood. This is precisely where the DFG Research Group FOR6047 , “Task-Switching — Decisions and Underlying Cognitive Processes” , coordinated at the German Sport University Cologne, comes in. The research group’s goal is to systematically investigate the determinants of voluntary task selection and, based on current theories, to develop formal, computer-based models that explain why and when people switch tasks or stick with them. The research group is funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for an initial period of four years, with an option to extend for another four years. The spokesperson for the research group is Prof. Dr. Markus Raab , head of the Department of Performance Psychology at the German Sport University Cologne. He coordinates a nationwide research consortium with scholars from the universities of Freiburg, Magdeburg, Osnabrück/Regensburg, Tübingen, as well as the University of Cologne and the German Sport University Cologne. Participants include, among others, Prof. Dr. Andrea Kiesel and Prof. Dr. Christoph Klauer (Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Markus Ullsperger, Prof. Dr. Dirk Ostwald, and Dr. Jovita Brüning (Magdeburg), Prof. Dr. Sebastian Musslick and Prof. Dr. Gesine Dreisbach (Osnabrück/Regensburg), Prof. Dr. Martin Butz and Prof. Dr. David Dignath (Tübingen), as well as Prof. Dr. Andreas Glöckner, Prof. Dr. Markus Raab, and Dr. Laura Will (Cologne). Through experimental studies and computer-based modeling, the participating teams are investigating, among other things, the influence of performance costs, learning processes, rewards, experiences with errors, and individual strategies on task-switching decisions. In doing so, the research group brings together two previously distinct fields of research: multitasking and task-switching research, as well as decision-making research. Strengthening Cologne as a Research Hub With this central and coordinating project, the German Sport University Cologne is assuming a central role within the research consortium. In addition to the research itself, Prof. Raab’s team coordinates scientific exchange, shared data use, model comparisons, and international networking. “The approval of this research group is a major success for the German Sport University Cologne and underscores our expertise in basic psychological research on decision-making and action control,” said Prof. Raab. In the long term, the research group’s findings are expected to contribute to an integrated theoretical framework that better explains human task-switching behaviour — with implications far beyond the field of psychology.

Charleen Pach and coach Patrick Magnani from the TZ DSHS Cologne represented Germany in Manila. The nomination of gymnast Charleen Pach and coach Patrick Magnani for the Junior World Championships, held 21–24 November in Manila, was a special moment this fall for the Gymnastics Centre at the German Sport University Cologne and the Department of Gymnastics (Teaching and Research). She exemplifies the successful collaboration between academic training, coach development, and competitive youth sports at the German Sport University Cologne. We are happy and proud that high-performance and elite sports at this level are present in our gym and directly visible to students. At the event, 15-year-old Charleen Pach proved to be the strongest of the three German gymnasts, alongside Ebba Mühl and Yonca Özgül. With a strong score of 47.999 points in the qualifying round, “Charly” had good reason to hope for a spot in the all-around final. In the end, she unfortunately missed the cut for the final by a hair’s breadth — 0.133 points. Even though this opportunity was missed by the narrowest of margins, the Cologne duo can look back with satisfaction on this valuable experience on the big international stage, given a nearly flawless competition with only minor hesitations on the balance beam. The Department of Gymnastics at the German Sport University Cologne extends its heartfelt congratulations to Charleen and Patrick on this great success.

University Professor Dr. Ralf Roth of the Institute for Outdoor Sports and Environmental Science was re-elected chair of the German Federal Government’s “Umwelt und Sport” Advisory Board. The advisory board supports the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) in integrating sports development with environmental and nature conservation considerations. The board brings together expertise from academia, sports, government, local authorities, and the business sector and develops recommendations for policymakers, associations, and practitioners. Hilke Patzwall of VAUDE/BSI was elected vice-chair. Through 2029, the advisory board will focus, among other things, on climate adaptation in sports, sustainable development of sports facilities and events, digitalisation in the outdoor sector, and the role of sports as a catalyst for sustainable action.

The international postdoctoral programme SPARK is receiving European Union funding of 3.1 million euros under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND scheme. The German Sport University Cologne is one of six universities directly involved in implementing the programme. SPARK focuses on supporting early-career international researchers and interdisciplinary research into individual and societal well-being. SPARK stands for ‘Strengthening People and Societal Well-being through Academic Research and Knowledge Transfer’. The programme was developed as part of the European University for Well-Being (EUniWell) and is coordinated by the University of Cologne. Over a period of five years, a total of 26 international postdoctoral researchers in two cohorts will have the opportunity to conduct research at the participating universities and further their academic and professional development. The research projects, each lasting 24 months, address the topic of well-being from three perspectives: ‘Human Mind and Body’, ‘Social Well-being’ and ‘Environmental Well-being’. This provides a wide range of links to the research profile of the German Sport University Cologne. In particular, the interrelationships between physical activity, physical and mental health, and individual and societal well-being are among the university’s key research areas. In addition to their individual research projects, the SPARK Fellows undertake a comprehensive training programme. This includes, amongst other things, research methods, open science, research data management, ethics, science communication, artificial intelligence and career development. International and cross-sector placements also enable them to gain experience both within and outside the academic world and to build lasting networks. For the German Sport University Cologne, participation in SPARK ties in directly with the strategic objectives of the University Development Plan 2025 to 2031. Supporting and training early-career researchers, fostering their international networking and attracting international researchers are just as much a part of the strategic priorities as strengthening interdisciplinary research. SPARK provides an international framework for this and combines academic training with research into socially relevant issues. At the same time, the programme supports the German Sport University Cologne’s aim of transferring research findings more effectively into society and practice. Exchange with academic and non-university partners is an essential component of SPARK. In addition to the six universities directly involved in its implementation, 13 further academic institutions and 17 non-university organisations are contributing to the fellowships, training programmes and the career development of the researchers. “With SPARK, we are strengthening the German Sport University Cologne’s international network whilst also creating attractive prospects for highly qualified early-career researchers. The programme’s interdisciplinary focus is particularly valuable in this regard: Sports science can make important contributions to researching well-being in its entirety – from the interplay between physical activity, physical and mental health, right through to social and environmental factors,” says Prof. Dr Tobias Vogt, Vice-President for Research and Transfer at the German Sport University Cologne. In addition to the German Sport University Cologne and the coordinating University of Cologne, Linnaeus University in Sweden, the University of Konstanz, the University of Florence and the University of Murcia are directly involved in implementing SPARK. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for scientific training and further education, as well as the career development of researchers, within the framework of Horizon Europe. Through COFUND, the European Commission supports institutions in establishing and further developing international doctoral and postdoctoral programmes in line with the quality standards of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Experts from the German Sport University Cologne discuss the DOSB election, the IOC’s ‘Fit for the Future’ reform process and Germany’s chances of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games Berlin, Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr or Munich: on 26 September, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide which German candidate will be allowed to bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games between 2036 and 2044. However, the national decision is by no means the end of the road to hosting this major event. On the contrary: for the German candidate, this is only the start of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) international selection process. The rules now apply that differ from those in previous bids to host the Olympic Games. The IOC has fundamentally changed its bidding process and further developed it as part of the ‘Fit for the Future’ reform process. Cities and regions are to be given more time to refine their proposals and receive greater support from the IOC. Experts at the German Sport University Cologne are closely monitoring these developments, including Professor Stephan Wassong, Director of the Olympic Studies Centre at the German Sport University Cologne. His research focuses, amongst other things, on the Olympic Movement and the history of the Olympic Games. He says: “Under former IOC President Thomas Bach, the IOC had already introduced a dialogue-based process comprising the Continuous Dialogue and the Targeted Dialogue. Now another intermediate stage is being added: the Strategic Dialogue. With this, the IOC aims to structure the selection process even more rigorously whilst, at the same time, giving the candidates the opportunity to further develop their proposals,” explains Wassong. However, the German candidates still have a long way to go. First up is the vote at the DOSB General Assembly on 26 September. With Berlin, Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr and Munich, three different concepts are vying for the votes of the DOSB members and the national sports federations. The positive referendums in Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr and Munich could give them a slight advantage, says Professor Jürgen Mittag, an expert in sports policy and head of the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at the German Sport University Cologne: “In the past, Olympic bids have repeatedly failed due to a lack of public support. The positive referendums in Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr and Munich are therefore a decisive factor, but on the whole say little about the viability of the proposals.” According to Mittag, the argument that ‘it is Germany’s turn again’ does not hold water with the IOC either. “In the current bid cycle, alongside the quality of the bid, geopolitical factors, the strength of potential rival candidates, economic interests and the IOC’s strategic considerations regarding narratives and legacy will also play a role,” Mittag is convinced. For Professor Ansgar Thiel, Rector of the German Sport University Cologne, the significance of potentially hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games lies above all in the long-term opportunities for Cologne and the region. In an interview, he describes the Games as “a major project for the region’s future”. He emphasises that it is crucial for a bid not to focus solely on the major sporting event itself. If investments were to benefit the region in the long term – for example, in sports facilities, transport or urban development – the Games could create lasting added value. A wide range of opportunities could also arise for the German Sport University Cologne: as a scientific partner, a centre for research and a platform for exchange between academia, sport, politics and society. The German candidate who wins the DOSB election at the end of September will not necessarily be shortlisted by the IOC straight away. For the time being, they will remain in what is known as the ‘Continuous Dialogue’ with the IOC. From March 2027, the IOC can then decide which cities and regions will be included in the newly introduced ‘Strategic Dialogue’. At that stage, the requirements will become more binding. “The IOC wants to prevent cities from investing enormous sums in a bid for years on end without receiving a realistic assessment of their chances in the meantime,” says Wassong. The new procedure could therefore become not only more transparent but also more cost-effective. In detailed interviews, the GSU experts explain the similarities and differences between the German proposals, which other international candidates are in the running, and why 26 September is just the beginning: Prof. Dr Jürgen Mittag: “Three different visions of the Olympic Games are competing with one another” Prof. Dr Stephan Wassong: “The path to the Olympic Games is increasingly becoming a dialogue” Prof. Dr Ansgar Thiel: “The Olympic Games in Cologne – a major project for the region’s future” On the day of the DOSB’s decision, we will also publish a statement by the Rector of the German Sport University, Professor Ansgar Thiel, regarding the selection of the German candidate. Contacts: Prof. Dr Stephan Wassong Olympic Studies Centre Tel.: +49 221 4982-3821 eMail: wassong@dshs-koeln.de Prof. Dr Jürgen Mittag Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies Tel.: +49 221 4982-2690 eMail: j.mittag@dshs-koeln.de Professor Dr Ansgar Thiel Rector of the German Sport University Cologne Tel.: +49 221 4982-2000 eMail: rektor@dshs-koeln.de translated by DeepL

A new publication in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) spans more than half a century of sports medicine research: from the first concepts of the lactate threshold in 1976 to the computer simulation of an individual’s energy metabolism. Prof. Dr. Hermann Heck plays a central role in this work. Prof. Heck worked at the Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine at the German Sport University Cologne from 1970 to 1991, where he worked under Wildor Hollmann. He is among the scientists who have had a decisive influence on performance-physiological lactate research in Germany. As early as 1976, he co-authored the groundbreaking publication by Alois Mader and colleagues on the 4 mmol/L lactate threshold and the assessment of sport-specific endurance performance. In 1985, he followed this as lead author with his seminal work on the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). His habilitation thesis on “Lactate in Performance Diagnostics” was awarded the Carl Diem Plaque by the German Sports Federation in 1988. Now, Prof. Heck is once again involved in a groundbreaking publication. Together with an international research team, he investigated the mathematical model of human energy metabolism developed by Alois Mader as early as the 1980s. The model integrates glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and the phosphocreatine system, and uses these to calculate, among other things, lactate concentration, oxygen uptake, pH, and fat oxidation during physical exertion. In the current study, Prof. Heck conducted a significant portion of the computer simulations and discussed the results in online meetings with the international project partners, including Jessie Axsom in the U.S. and Jeffrey Rothschild in New Zealand. The results are remarkable: without adjusting the underlying equations for the individual simulations, the model reproduced ten well-known phenomena in exercise physiology. These include the lactate threshold and MLSS, active lactate clearance, fat oxidation, oxygen uptake, and metabolic fatigue. For more information, please read the press release from the North Rhine-Westphalia Association of Sports Physicians .

The University Electoral Assembly has also elected Prof. Dr Claudia Steinberg as Vice-Rector for Resources and Sustainable Development. The German Sport University Cologne is setting the course for its future leadership: the University Electoral Assembly has elected Kai Viebahn as the new Chancellor of the German Sport University Cologne. Prof. Dr Claudia Steinberg has also been newly elected to the Rectorate. She will take up the post of Vice-Rector for Resources and Sustainable Development. The university electoral assembly is composed of equal numbers of members from the University Council and the Senate. For an election to be successful, a majority of the votes of the entire body is required, as well as a majority within each of the two groups. Kai Viebahn, a proven expert in finance and administration, is returning to the German Sport University Cologne. Viebahn previously worked at the Cologne Sports University, where he served as Head of Department, overseeing the university’s financial and budgetary affairs. In this role, he also acted as deputy to the then Chancellor, Marion Steffen. Today, Viebahn is Head of the Finance Department at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. In that role, as Head of Department 5, he is responsible for the university’s entire financial and staffing budget. “I am delighted by the confidence placed in me by the University Electoral Assembly and look forward to returning to the German Sport University Cologne. We have important tasks ahead of us: universities must manage their limited resources, further develop their structures and, at the same time, create space for new ideas and developments. Together with the Rector’s Office and the staff, I would like to set priorities, create a favourable environment and position the University of Sport in such a way that it can continue to realise its full potential in the future,” says Chancellor-designate Kai Viebahn. The post of Vice-Rector for Resources and Sustainable Development has also been filled. The University Electoral Assembly elected Prof. Dr Claudia Steinberg to the post. Steinberg has been Head of the Institute for Dance and Movement Culture at the German Sport University Cologne since 2020 and is also Programme Director for the teacher training programme. Prior to this, she worked at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where she also completed her habilitation. Her main areas of academic research include dance education, teaching research, cultural education research and the impact of digitalisation in this field. “I am delighted by the trust placed in me and look forward to my new role in the Rector’s Office. Resources and sustainable development are key issues for the future of our university. This involves managing our financial, human and infrastructural resources responsibly, as well as ensuring the sustainable development of our campus. I would like to bring my experience in research, teaching and programme development to this role,” says the Vice-Rector-designate, Prof. Dr Claudia Steinberg. Rector Prof. Dr Ansgar Thiel congratulates the two newly elected members of the University Executive Board: “I am very much looking forward to working with Kai Viebahn and Claudia Steinberg. Both know our university very well from different perspectives and bring important experience and expertise to their new roles. Together, we want to continue developing the German Sport University as a unique institution dedicated to sport, whilst actively shaping the structural and societal challenges of the coming years." The appointment of Kai Viebahn and Claudia Steinberg marks a reorganisation of the Rectorate at the German Sport University Cologne. The Chancellor’s appointment is subject to further legal procedures. Prof. Dr Claudia Steinberg will take up her post as Vice-Rector for Resources and Sustainable Development on 1 April 2027. At this point, the current Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr Wilhelm Bloch, will retire.

The network initiative run by the German Sport University Cologne has been championing mental health in elite sport for 15 years Higher, faster, further – competitive sport involves high physical demands. However, it can also pose significant mental and social challenges for athletes and coaches. Pressure to perform, injuries, stress, fears of success or failure, and the challenge of balancing sport with personal life can all take a toll on mental health. For 15 years, the MentalGestärkt initiative at the German Sport University Cologne has been working to promote mental health in elite sport, identify problems at an early stage and make it easier for those affected to access professional support. Established at the German Sport University Cologne, MentalGestärkt was launched in 2011. Its creation was supported by the Robert Enke Foundation, the employers' liability insurance association for professional sport (VBG) and the players' union (VDV), all of which played a key role in developing the initiative. From the outset, the aim was to bring together existing services and expertise and to connect athletes and coaches experiencing mental health problems with support. "Mental health is an essential prerequisite for people to be able to pursue their sport successfully and with enjoyment over the long term. In elite sport in particular, we should not wait to react until a crisis has arisen. Prevention, early detection and low-threshold access to professional support are crucial," says Prof. Dr Jens Kleinert, Scientific Director of MentalGestärkt. From a referral service to a nationwide network Over the past 15 years, MentalGestärkt has continued to evolve. While the initial focus was on arranging support for elite athletes experiencing mental distress, the initiative was realigned in 2013. From then on, the emphasis lay more heavily on prevention, psychoeducation and the provision of sport psychology support. Today, MentalGestärkt works with a nationwide network of more than 550 experts in sport psychology, psychotherapy and psychiatry. The coordination office at the German Sport University Cologne's Institute of Psychology takes enquiries from elite sport and, where needed, refers people to suitable contacts as quickly as possible and close to where they live. The service is open to current and former athletes, coaches and other individuals involved in elite sport, and is used by around 200 people seeking help each year. In addition to individual support, MentalGestärkt focuses on prevention and early detection. Its offering includes, among other things, training and further education courses, events and information materials. Screening and early detection tools complement diagnostics in elite sport. Mental health as part of professional sports support The fact that mental health is receiving increasing attention in elite sport is also reflected in the growing links with the disciplines involved. Associations from sport psychology, psychotherapy and psychiatry work closely with MentalGestärkt. Events and collaborations promote exchange between research and practice. For instance, together with its partners, MentalGestärkt regularly organises themed days on current issues in mental health in elite sport. At the joint themed day with the German Association for Sport Psychology (asp) in February 2026, for example, the focus was on the psychological aspects of injuries and returning to sport. "Our aim is for mental health to be taken into account in elite sport as a matter of course, just like physical health. This means imparting knowledge, raising awareness of possible stressors and, when necessary, quickly establishing contact with qualified professionals," says Marion Sulprizio, qualified psychologist (Diplom-Psychologin) and contact person at the MentalGestärkt coordination office at the German Sport University Cologne. On its 15th anniversary, the initiative is therefore not only looking back on its development. The past years have shown how important it is to view mental health in elite sport holistically. In the future, too, MentalGestärkt intends to help translate scientific findings into practice, connect professionals with one another and support athletes and coaches in maintaining their mental health. About MentalGestärkt MentalGestärkt is a network initiative for mental health in elite sport at the German Sport University Cologne. Its aim is to maintain and promote mental health in elite sport, to prevent mental health problems, to detect them early and to arrange appropriate support. The nationwide network of experts comprises professionals from sport psychology, psychotherapy and psychiatry. The coordination office at the German Sport University Cologne's Institute of Psychology arranges sport psychology support as well as psychotherapeutic and psychiatric help, and offers training courses, events and information resources. MentalGestärkt Coordination Office Phone: +49 (0)221 4982-5540 Email: mentalgestaerkt@dshs-koeln.de Website: MentalGestärkt

Cologne pilot project gets children with heart defects active Only nine per cent of children with congenital heart defects get enough exercise – a new Cologne-based project aims to change that The German Sport University Cologne, Cologne University Hospital and 1. FC Köln are launching the ‘Young Heart Champions’ pilot project. Children and young people with congenital heart defects (CHD) will be introduced to regular physical activity in a targeted manner, initially over a period of three to six months: the focus is on walking football, an adapted version of football. Background: Lack of physical activity despite clear recommendations Although medical guidelines expressly recommend regular participation in sport, currently only around nine per cent of children and young people with CHDs achieve the minimum level of physical activity recommended by the WHO. Reasons for this include uncertainty amongst teaching and care staff, an overly cautious approach within the family environment, and a lack of suitable, target-group-specific programmes. The consequences are far-reaching: in addition to reduced physical fitness, there is a risk of social isolation, a lower quality of life and an increased risk of associated conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. Project aim: To build confidence in movement and in one’s own body This is precisely where ‘Young Heart Champions’ comes in. The focus is not only on physical effects but also on psychosocial aspects: the children are to learn to realistically assess their own resilience and develop confidence in their bodies. The project is being scientifically evaluated to gain insights into its feasibility and health effects. “Through our project, we aim to inspire children and young people with AHF to take part in physical activity and sport, to strengthen their confidence in their own bodies and, at the same time, to reassure parents that sport is both possible and beneficial under the right conditions,” says Jun.-Prof. Dr Thomas Schmidt, who, together with Prof. Hans-Georg Predel, heads the “Young Heart Champions” project at the German Sport University Cologne. The exercise programme: walking football The exercise programme comprises coordination exercises, playful forms of movement and a form of football adapted to the children’s needs. Physical contact, intense one-on-one challenges and high peaks of exertion are deliberately avoided; the ball may be played no higher than hip height. The training is supplemented by coordination exercises and playful physical activities. Before the programme begins, all participants undergo a sports medical assessment to determine their individual fitness levels and motor skills. The training itself is led by qualified coaches from 1. FC Köln. Alongside physical activity, the focus is on team spirit, social interaction and the joy of movement. Studies show that football can improve cardiopulmonary fitness, even in patients with heart conditions. The German Olympic Sports Confederation and the German Medical Association have recognised walking football as a preventive sport. “Children with congenital heart defects can and should be active. Nevertheless, we often see in everyday life that restrictions and a lack of exercise opportunities mean that many children are significantly less active than would be medically advisable. With this project, we are offering innovative exercise programmes. These boost the children’s self-confidence and foster a love of exercise and sport. Our aim is to firmly integrate physical activity into the daily lives and care of children with congenital heart defects and to establish suitable programmes,” explains Prof. Dr Markus Khalil, Head of Paediatric Cardiology at Cologne University Hospital. A strong network spanning sports science, medicine and clinical practice The project is coordinated by the Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine at the German Sport University Cologne and is being implemented in close collaboration with the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Cologne University Hospital and 1. FC Köln. This interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that scientific findings are directly incorporated into practice and that medical expertise shapes the training programme from the outset. Funding and prospects ‘Young Heart Champions’ is funded by the German Heart Foundation with a total of 99,750 euros. ‘For the German Heart Foundation, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through regular physical activity and sport, starting in childhood, is a very high priority. This applies in particular to children with chronic heart conditions, because regular exercise in children with congenital heart defects effectively helps to protect against additional risk factors such as being overweight, obesity and high blood pressure, whilst also strengthening their psychosocial health,” emphasises Prof. Dr Thomas Voigtländer, Chairman of the Board of the German Heart Foundation. “The Cologne-based ‘Young Heart Champions’ project is making an important contribution through its walking football intervention by investigating the potential of walking football for children with congenital heart defects.” The pilot project is intended to serve as a basis for establishing similar programmes across regions in the future, thereby permanently improving health equity for children with congenital heart defects. Press contact Jun.-Prof. Dr Thomas Schmidt , Project Manager T.Schmidt@dshs-koeln.de 0221 4982-5075 Project partners German Sport University Cologne University Hospital Cologne, Paediatric Cardiology 1 . FC Köln German Heart Foundation Friends of the Heart Centre at Cologne University Hospital Press articles Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

Last weekend, the “Young Heart Champions” football team took part in an inclusive tournament on the grounds outside the stadium in Cologne. The tournament was organised by the 1. FC Köln Foundation in conjunction with a match day organised by Behinderten- und Rehabilitationssportverband Nordrhein-Westfalen (BRSNW). For around twelve weeks now, children and young people with congenital heart defects have been training together twice a week at the German Sport University Cologne. On the stadium grounds, the Young Heart Champions competed as a team against other children’s and youth teams for the first time, playing a total of four matches. With glorious weather and a great atmosphere, the focus was above all on the joy of exercise, team spirit and the shared experience of playing football. The day was also a sporting success: the Young Heart Champions even finished in first place – although in a tournament like this, it’s more about the joy of being active than the result. Sport and exercise for children with congenital heart defects The team is part of the ‘Young Heart Champions – Herzkinder in Bewegung’ project. This is a joint initiative between the German Sport University Cologne, the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Cologne University Hospital, UniReha and 1. FC Köln. The project is funded by Deutschen Herzstiftung and Förderverein des Herzzentrums der Uniklinik Köln. The project is aimed at children and young people with congenital heart defects. The aim is to provide participants with safe access to regular sporting activity, to improve their physical fitness and to foster a love of exercise. Further information can be found on the German Sport University Cologne’s project page for Young Heart Champions . You might also be interested in this article: Young Heart Champions – Kölner Pilotprojekt bringt Kinder mit Herzfehlern in Bewegung