Institute News

The Sports Club: Evergreen or on the Way Out? On May 22, 2025, to mark the 100th anniversary of PTSV Aachen, the Aachener Zeitung hosted the AZ Forum on the topic “The Sports Club – Evergreen or Obsolete? ” The panel discussion was divided into three thematic blocks and featured prominent figures from Aachen’s sports world. For the topic of “Community ,” the moderators spoke with Markus Krieger, managing director of PTSV Aachen; Markus Pütz (chairman of Dürener TV); and Silke Mertens, managing director of the judo department. The discussion focused on the role of clubs in society, their challenges, and the issues they face. In the second segment, the discussion focused on the municipal network . The panel for this session included Nadine Frey, managing director of the Aachen City Sports Association; Markus Kremer, Aachen’s sports commissioner; and Dr. Axel Kupfer from the Institute of Movement and Neuroscience at the German Sport University Cologne. The discussion addressed the significance of club sports in Germany. In particular, the social and health-related functions, as well as the role and necessity of sports as the largest educational actor in Germany, were highlighted. Finally, volleyball player Sophia Fallah (Ladies in Black), Erik Wudtke (assistant coach of the German national handball team), and Aachen-based diver Alexander Lube discussed the status of competitive sports in and around Aachen. The entire panel discussion can be viewed here as a replay.

Dr. Vera Abeln was interviewed for Tagesschau.de on the topic “Improved Training Methods – How the Brain Controls Physical Performance.” The article in the Knowledge-Health section focuses primarily on the neuroathletics method. A training method that can be classified as neuro-centered training and is currently gaining traction in the fields of health and competitive sports The article can be read here: Tagesschau "Knowledge" from March 17, 2026

R(h)ein Inklusiv, a project by Spoho and DGUV, was once again represented at the Cologne Marathon with a large team and 34 marathon relay teams. On October 6, 2024, under perfect marathon weather conditions, the R(h)ein Inklusiv relay marathon kicked off for the ninth time with the call, “Let’s go!” Cheered on by Jürgen Dusel, the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to People with Disabilities, 34 relay teams set out to tackle the marathon together. The idea: people with and without disabilities take to the starting line and the course together under the motto “Together we are strong!” In doing so, they demonstrate that disability, athletic performance, and the joy of sports are by no means mutually exclusive. All relay teams crossed the finish line safely and happily. In the transition zones, along the course, and later in the tent of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) on Neumarkt, wonderful spaces for interaction were created where participants could tangibly experience just how precious differences and diverse abilities are, and how good it feels to journey together amid this diversity. A complete success, then! The inclusive relay marathon was launched by the DGUV and the German Sport University Cologne. At the 2016 Cologne Marathon, R(h)ein Inklusiv made its debut on the initiative of Gregor Doepke from the DGUV and Prof. Dr. Thomas Abel, Professor of Paralympic Sport at the German Sport University—at that time with a total of seven inclusive relay teams. Just one year later, there were already 21 relay teams completing the marathon course together. Next year, the project will celebrate the 10th anniversary of R(h)ein Inklusiv, and anticipation is already building for October 5, 2025! Further information on R(h)ein Inklusiv, as well as photos and video footage from the 2024 marathon, can be found on the DGUV website.

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. Christine Joisten, Head of the Department of Physical Activity in Public Health at the Institute for Movement and Neuroscience, was elected as the new President of the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP) on March 29. We warmly congratulate our colleague, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. Christine Joisten, on her election as the new president of the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP). She succeeds Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Wolfarth, whose two-term presidency is coming to an end as scheduled. This marks the first time in the society’s 113-year history that a woman has led it. Prior to her election, she served as Vice President for Professional Affairs (2012–2014) and Vice President for Education, Training, and Continuing Education on the DGSP Executive Board (2014–2025). Christine Joisten is a general medicine specialist with additional certifications in sports medicine, nutritional medicine, and medical psychotherapy. She lectures in medicine and sports science at the German Sport University Cologne, where she heads Department III— Physical Activity in Public Health—of the Institute for Movement and Neuroscience. Her research focuses on promoting physical activity among all age groups, preventing prevention and treating overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, and preventing diabetes. In 2006, she completed her habilitation in sports medicine on the topic “Physical Inactivity and Overweight – Interactions and Therapeutic Approaches.” Since 1998, she has been active on the board of the North Rhine-Westphalia Association of Sports Physicians, and has been its chair since 2006. She is also a member of numerous initiatives and committees, such as the “Public Health” Committee of the German Medical Association and the Working Group on Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. She also serves as vice-chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Health Monitoring and Health Reporting at the Robert Koch Institute. “We are delighted to have Christine Joisten as our highly competent and dedicated president. She is known for her passion in driving her projects forward and inspiring others to work towards a common cause — in particular, creating a more active and healthier society,” said Bernd Wolfarth, who was named Honorary President in recognition of the DGSP in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports medicine. Further information is available at http://www.dgsp.de/ .

On November 7, 2025, the “Night of Biosignals” was held for the second time at the University Hospital of Cologne. Dr. Vera Abeln, together with Leonard Braunsmann and intern Lisa Wirth, gave a presentation for the occasion titled: “The Moving Brain—What Can We Learn from EEG in Exercise Settings.” In a clear and interactive manner, the audience was informed about the possibilities and limitations of neuroscientific methods in sports. They presented their own study results to explain to the audience the effects of sports and exercise on brain activity and brain health, and to offer recommendations for healthy exercise habits. The event took place in fourteen cities across Germany and is organized by the Biosignals Technical Committee of the Association for Electrical, Electronic, and Information Technologies (VDE) . The Night of Biosignals is aimed at all citizens, students, and schoolchildren interested in exploring biomedical topics and innovations in medical technology research. For more information about the Night of Biosignals and the presentations, visit: https://nacht-der-biosignale.de/ .

As part of the master’s seminar “M3 – Advanced Aspects of Health Education,” an engaging panel discussion on teachers’ mental health took place on December 11 in Lecture Hall 3, addressing the challenges faced during teacher training and in everyday professional life. This special event was organized by Spoho lecturers Dr. Tina Foitschik and Dr. Anke Raabe-Oetker. The event brought together three dedicated graduates of the German Sport University Cologne: Barbara Gähling, an experienced physical education teacher at a secondary school with 30 years of professional experience, Michelle Schönfeld, who has been teaching at a high school for two years, and Florian Noack, who has been working at a vocational college for six years and served as a seminar instructor for physical education at the Center for Practical Teacher Training (ZfsL) for several years. In addition, Timo Einheuser, winner of the 2024 German Teaching Award, was invited to participate in the event. From the perspective of these four experienced teachers from different types of schools, the participants gained valuable insights into the reality of everyday teaching life. Many practical tips were shared, particularly regarding the often stressful teacher training period, dealing with the stressor of “noise,” and difficult conversations with parents. The guests encouraged the students to be courageous and to initiate small-scale changes at school. Other key messages included “staying authentic,” “seeking help from colleagues,” and that saying “no” or setting boundaries is also permissible during teacher training. The unflagging enthusiasm that all the guests radiated for their profession was also particularly valuable. In their own personal way, they demonstrated how enriching the work of a teacher is for them. According to the two organizers, the event was a great success, in part because it highlighted how important the exchange between prospective and experienced teachers is. A heartfelt thank you goes to the guests who enriched this event with their valuable contributions.

The Institute for Movement and Neuroscience once again hosted the annual conference for team physicians, physical therapists, and classifiers of the German Disabled Sports Association. From March 21–22, together with top-tier external experts, the conference addressed the following topics: Prevention of sexual violence, competition-related traumatic brain injuries in elite Paralympic sports, the sport of blind football, and a review of the Paralympics in Paris.