Under the motto “Sport – Superpower for Body and Mind,” the second edition of “AHA Wirtshaus-Wissen” with Willi Weitzel on Sunday, October 19, focused on exercise, energy, and well-being. Among the experts at Munich's Hofbräukeller was Prof. Dr. Karsten Köhler, head of the Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health at the Department Health and Sport Sciences at TUM.
In an entertaining dialogue with host Willi Weitzel and the audience, Prof. Köhler explained what happens in the body when we exercise. “Exercise is like a power plant for our body – it converts energy, strengthens muscles, heart, and brain, and helps us cope better with stress,” emphasized Prof. Köhler. The approximately 100 children and parents in the audience were particularly impressed by his examples, which illustrated how closely nutrition, exercise, and health are linked.
The topic was brought to life by Katie Rainsberger, Research Associate and PhD student at the Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition, and Health. During the event, she got on an exercise bike and pedaled for about 20 minutes at a power output of 180 to 200 watts. Meanwhile, Prof. Köhler explained to Willi Weitzel what happens in the body and how energy is measured.
“While Katie is exercising on the ergometer, we measure how much oxygen she inhales and how much carbon dioxide she exhales. This allows us to calculate exactly how much energy she is consuming – and whether she is burning mainly carbohydrates or fats,” explained Prof. Köhler. "Humans are very variable – our bodies can switch between different fuels. Carbohydrates provide quick energy, while fats are the slower but more enduring fuel.“
Prof. Köhler then showed what this energy means in everyday life: ”If Katie cycles for an hour at around 200 watts, she would burn about 80 gummy bears. This shows very impressively how much work is behind seemingly small amounts of energy." The experiment clearly demonstrated how closely exercise, energy consumption, and nutrition are linked - and thrilled the audience with its tangible presentation of science. “I would particularly like to thank the team at the Prevention Center, led by Dr. Fabian Stöcker, who provided the equipment, such as the mobile spiroergometry and the bicycle ergometer,” said Prof. Köhler.
In addition to Prof. Köhler and his team, PD Dr. med. habil. Katharina Lechner (Helmholtz Munich), Dr. phil. Julia Schoierer (LMU Klinikum), Malte Satow (LMU Munich), and Prof. Dr. Peter Falkai (Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry) were also guests. Together, they answered questions from the audience - such as how exercise can increase attention and thus shorten homework time, what happens to the body in hot weather, and whether exercise actually makes you happy.
During short “pub sports breaks” or “wiggle breaks,” guests were able to get active themselves and experience how just a few minutes of exercise can get the circulation going.
The event showed how scientific findings from sports and health research can be communicated in an understandable and entertaining way – in line with the spirit of science communication that brings research to life.
“AHA – The Science Communication Hub” is a joint initiative of renowned scientific institutions in Munich (including TUM, Helmholtz Munich, Max Planck Society, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Deutsches Museum), which aims to make research understandable, tangible, and relevant for everyone. Science provides new insights and offers solutions to societal challenges – this knowledge should be made available to the public so that they can actively shape the future. Through the website aha.bayern, creative formats such as “AHA Wirtshaus-Wissen”, and other interactive offerings, AHA strengthens science communication in Bavaria.
To the event page for “AHA Wirtshaus-Wissen”
To the homepage of „AHA – The Science Communication Hub”
To the homepage of the Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Karsten Köhler
Associate Professorship of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Am Olympiacampus 11
80809 München
phone: 089 289 24488
e-mail: karsten.koehler(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photos: „AHA – The Science Communication Hub” / Andreas Heddergott