The Chair of Epidemiology of the Technical University of Munich organizes an interdisciplinary symposium on the topic of "Physical Activity & Prevention". The team of Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug could welcome approximately 60 participants at the TUM Science & Study Center Raitenhaslach from, among elsewhere, Australia, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands.

"The symposium was a full success. We succeeded in bringing influential researchers together, networking them and discussing different perspectives in this field of interest," concludes Prof. Klug.

Different Research Approaches on Physical Activity and Prevention

With a view on the research of prevention through physical activity, a number of different approaches exist. On the one hand, an attempt is made to induce people to take part in such sport activities, such as jogging or swimming. On the other hand, researchers examine particular measures which are related to everyday life - for example while on the job. In order to promote this movement, movement can be integrated consciously, for instance by climbing stairs or using longer routes to the printer. Prof. Dr. Jasper Schipperijn works with purposeful changes in the environment. The researcher from the University of South Denmark, for instance, transforms schoolyards for his interventions, so that the children involved are animated to move more.

Number of Studies to Date are too Low to Provide Valid Statistical Evidence

"Lectures have shown which possibilities exist and which progress has already been achieved. However, the data records from studies so far are too small to provide strong and statistical evidence. We want to carry out studies together with the other researchers which allow us to make evaluations on the basis of larger amounts of data and over longer periods of time," explains Klug.

As a first step, and as a follow-up to the symposium, a request for the performance of a feasibility study has been prepared together with the Canadian professor Dr. Christine Friedenreich.

To the Homepage of the Chair of Epidemiology

Information on the Symposium on Physical Activity & Prevention

Contact

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug
Chair of Epidemiology
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56
80992 Munich

Telephone: 089 289 24951
E-Mail: sekretariat-klug(at)tum.de

Text: Dr. Fabian Kautz
Photo: Chair of Epidemiology