Projects

The aim of the project is to develop a mobile, AI-supported device that can capture the metabolic state of the entire body through a non-invasive, fluorescence-optical skin measurement. This will provide real-time verifiable information on energy metabolism and possible deficiencies, without the need for blood sampling and without biological waste. In sports medicine performance diagnostics, blood lactate concentration has so far been used to determine thresholds and endurance capacity. This method is invasive, analog, and has remained unchanged for decades. By correlating NADH and lactate, it will for the first time be possible to achieve continuous, non-invasive, and digital monitoring.

Funding period

2025 - 2027

Study sample

Individuals of different age, genders, and performance levels

Research questions

Can the correlation between NADH and lactate be reliably and validly demonstrated using a newly developed non-invasive measurement device, and is this method suitable for determining individual thresholds?

In the initial work packages, the project partners (mfd Diagnostics GmbH, University Medical Center Mannheim, ITIV KIT) will prepare the technology and software, conduct simulations and laboratory tests, and align the measurement methodology in order to first develop a prototype for non-invasive lactate measurement. In the final stage, a subject study (IfSS) will be carried out to examine the correlation between NADH and lactate using the newly developed measurement method. After initial pilot measurements, which will test and optimize the feasibility of the study design (e.g., device setup, exercise protocol), the main study will follow with participants of different ages, sexes, and performance levels. During the study, participants will complete an incremental cycling test while blood lactate is measured using established reference methods, NADH concentration is recorded with the new device, and heart rate is monitored. In addition, repeated measurements will be conducted to assess the reliability of the prototype. The collected data will be statistically analyzed to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of the prototype in comparison to established lactate diagnostics. The results will provide an assessment of the method’s applicability in clinical practice as well as in recreational and elite sports, and will serve as a basis for scientific publications.

As part of the "AufZack" project, the living environment of senior citizens in assisted living is to be made more "active" in a sustainable and future-oriented way in order to maintain physical and mental health in the long term. The project is based on the objectives of health sport and can make a significant contribution to practice-oriented research in the field of assisted living and can also be integrated into everyday life in the long term.

The project consists of three modules: an exercise program that contributes to increasing independence in everyday life, promoting physical activity and strengthening the psychosocial resources of senior citizens in assisted living facilities. In addition, interested people from the fields of care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy as well as interested relatives are qualified as so-called "AufZack companions". A three-day training course is being developed for this purpose. The offerings are supplemented by a web-based platform that supports the AufZack companions in creating individual training plans and promotes exchange among them.

Project website

Funding period

• 2024 - 2027

The joint project KuMuS-ProNeD collaborates with the 'Forschungszentrum für den Schulsport und den Sport von Kindern und Jugendlichen' (FoSS) (engl. Research Centre for School Sports and the Physical Education of Children and Young People) and with the 'Zentrum für Lehrkräftebildung' (ZLB) (engl. Centre for Teacher Education) to advance digital innovations in teacher education and physical education. This cooperation enables the direct integration of scientific findings into teacher training.
The KuMuS-ProNeD consortium aims to establish an integrated overall concept for teacher education in the subjects of art, music, and physical education. This is implemented through three interdisciplinary, cross-phase networks – professional development, lesson development and consultation, and the Future Innovation Hub – supplemented by the cross-sector working area Translation and Dissemination.
At KIT, KuMuS-ProNeD focuses on the subject of physical education and comprises two key subprojects:
- Network 1: Professional Development
This subproject develops and evaluates training opportunities for physical education teachers to integrate digital media into PE lessons for health promotion. The first training day was already designed and implemented in November 2024 in cooperation with the 'Zentrum für Schulqualität und Lehrerbildung' (ZSL) (engl. Centre for School Quality and Teacher Training) Baden-Württemberg. These professional development sessions serve both to further develop the concepts and to conduct needs assessments for future training programs.
- Network 2: Future Innovation Hub
This subproject explores innovative applications of 360° video technology/ VR in physical education. In cooperation with teachers, the ZSL, as well as university and international partners, new application scenarios are tested, transfer opportunities examined, and concepts for movement analysis developed. Cross-site collaboration with universities such as Stuttgart, Mainz, and Tübingen contributes to further conceptual and methodological development.

Term

• 2023 -2026

Participating institutions

• ZLB:
  The Center for Teacher Education (ZLB) at KIT is a central scientific institution whose core tasks include advising and supporting students, managing study programs, developing the content of study programs and networking with internal KIT stakeholders and external educational partners. In KuMuS ProNeD, the ZLB supports the development of further education modules for the professional development of teaching staff.
  
• FoSS:
  The Research Center for School Sport and Sport for Children and Young People (FoSS) at the IFSS is dedicated to interdisciplinary research in the field of school sport and sport for children and young people and supports the KuMuS ProNeD project with scientific expertise in health-oriented school sport, the development and evaluation of innovative concepts for physical education and further training for teachers.
  
• ISD:
  The Institute for School Pedagogy and Didactics (ISD) consists of three departments and professorships (Sports Pedagogy, Interdisciplinary Didactics of STEM Subjects and Sports and Vocational Education), which jointly pursue the goal of further developing teacher training at KIT. In this way, the ISD promotes interdisciplinary (subject) didactic research and builds on KIT's particular strengths in this area.

Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Transformation of Research (DiTraRe) - Usecase "Sensitive data in sports science"

Funding period

2023 - 2027

Participating institutions

• KIT
• FIZ

DiTraRe's work program is organized into four research clusters, each based on a specific scientific use case. The Protected Data Rooms research cluster, for example, is dedicated to the use case “Sensitive Data in Sports Science.” The team at the Institute for Sports and Sports Science led by Dr. Claudia Niessner is responsible for this cluster. The other research clusters deal with intelligent data collection (use case: smart laboratories in chemistry), AI-based knowledge spaces (use case: artificial intelligence in biomedical engineering), and publication cultures (use case: publication of large amounts of data).

The cooperative doctoral program "Accessibility through AI-based Assistive Technologies" (KATE) is a new collaborative and interdisciplinary graduate school jointly established by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA).
The project aims to promote independence, autonomy, and participation in daily life activities for individuals with special needs through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based assistive technologies. To achieve this, the program is structured into three research areas:
    -AI-based methods for processing text, audio, and multimedia documents
    - Interactive training methods and assistive systems
    - Analysis of consequences and ethical, legal, social, and societal implications of AI systems for people with disabilities
The Social and Health Sciences in Sport research group will contribute to Research Area 2. This includes investigating how AI-powered assistive robots, exoskeletons, and interactive applications can be used to assess and train motor and cognitive performance.

Scientists involved in the project

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Stiefelhagen (KIT)
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Wölfel (Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences)
• Prof. Dr. Tamim Asfour (KIT)
• Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald
• Prof. Dr. Björn Hein (Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences)
• Prof. Dr. Steffen Kinkel (Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences)
• Prof. Dr. Astrid Laubenheimer (KIT)
• Dr. Linda Nierling (KIT)
• Prof. Dr. Alexander Waibel (KIT)
• Prof. Dr. Christian Wurll (Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences)
• Prof. Dr. Caroline Karmann (KIT)
• Prof. Dr. Kathrin Gerling (KIT)

Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg

The objective of the “Fitness Check” project is to provide first-year students at KIT with individualized feedback on their physical fitness and health status, to increase their awareness of health- and fitness-related issues, and to inform them about the diverse range of physical activity and health promotion programs offered by the Institute of Sports and Sports Science. The Fitness Check is designed to present participants with specific action-oriented recommendations for the development of a health-promoting lifestyle, by encouraging changes in personal habits or environmental factors

Funding period

Study sample

First semester students at KIT

Research questions

How fit, physically active and healthy are first semester students at KIT?

The “Fitness Check” is a low-threshold fitness and health-related awareness intervention offered to all first-year students at the beginning of each winter semester at KIT. In the first stage, participants complete a Social Norms-based online survey assessing their motor performance and other health-relevant parameters. These individual results are then compared to aggregated data from the broader KIT student population, allowing participants to contextualize their own values in relation to perceived social norms.
In the second stage, a limited number of first-year students from all academic disciplines are given the opportunity—on a first-come, first-served basis—to participate in a low-threshold basic fitness assessment using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Participants receive a printed summary of their test results, followed by an interpretation provided by the test facilitator.
The third stage consists of a personalized consultation based on the individual assessment results. This includes tailored recommendations for further steps, along with information materials to help students navigate and access the wide range of follow-up services and health-related offerings available at KIT.
for each individual survey participant.
In a second step, a limited number of these first semester students from all disciplines at
of all disciplines at KIT will be given the opportunity to take part in a low-threshold
to undergo a low-threshold basic fitness examination based on a bioelectrical impedance analysis.
impedance analysis. As part of the analysis, the participating students
analysis, participating students receive a summary of the test results in the form of a
printout with subsequent interpretation by the respective test supervisor.
In a third step, the results of the analysis are used as a basis for
personal counseling regarding possible follow-up measures and support
services at KIT, including the provision of information material that provides orientation about the
information about the various potential follow-up offers.

As part of the ActiveLearn project, health-promoting learning spaces are to be created at KIT and students and lecturers are to be sensitized to the topic of "healthy learning". The focus is on 'active learning on campus', but 'active learning in homestudying' and the interaction of lecturers with students in the teaching setting are also taken into account.

Funding period

2023-2025

Participating institutions:

• KIT Library
• General Students' Committee (AStA)

The program, centered around networking and health communication, addresses the topic of "Healthy Learning" through three core components: physical activity, relaxation, and ergonomics. These elements will be designed and delivered in a modular and flexible format to meet the diverse needs of participants:

1) Development and implementation of trainings and workshops (e.g., How to ergonomically set up your learning workstation), as well as the provision of short movement (e.g., 5-minute neck fitness) and relaxation breaks (e.g., 5-minute progressive muscle relaxation). These activities will take place directly at the learning locations, in order to keep participation barriers as low as possible.

2) Development of communication materials on the topic of "Healthy Learning" (e.g., posters with neck stretching exercises or information on "How to learn in a healthy way"), which will be displayed on campus and at learning spaces at KIT to further raise awareness of the topic.

2) Development of communication materials on the topic of "Healthy learning" (e.g. posters with neck stretching exercises or on the topic of "How do you learn healthily?"), which are displayed on campus and at the learning locations at KIT to raise additional awareness of the topic.

The aim of the COMO study is to analyze changes in (1) physical and (2) mental health, as well as (3) health behavior in children and adolescents during the years 2023, 2024, and 2025, following the COVID-19 pandemic, considering (4) socioecological contexts. The goal is to identify particularly vulnerable groups and thus create a (5) data foundation for targeted health promotion, prevention, and intervention approaches.

The COMO study is based on two existing population-based longitudinal studies (COPSY, MoMo-Corona-Study) as well as a new study sample. Children and adolescents (aged 4-17) from the new sample and their parents are invited to complete an online questionnaire in  2023, 2024 and 2025. The online survey includes for example questions on health behavior, mental and physical health, as well as socioecological variables.  In addition,  a subsample is invited to complete a digital motor performance test (online survey 2023) and/or to wear an accelerometer for 7 days to assess physical behaviour (online survey 2024). Participants who took part in all surveys of the MoMo-Corona study are asked  to participate in an in-depth, smartphone-based survey at the individual level.

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

The Motorik-Modul Study (MoMo) originated as a sub-module of the nationwide German health Interview and Exmanination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) of the Robert Koch Institut (RKI) and has been conducted since 2003. For 20 years, the MoMo data has formed a unique basis for evidence-based health policy action and health policy decisions. In view of current developments (including the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation, social inequality and migration), a continuation of the study is of great scientific and social relevance. As a result of a resolution of the German Bundestag, we are therefore now conducting the study under the name MoMo 2.0 in even more locations in Germany since October 2022. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health, the aim of MoMo 2.0 is to study the course and development of physical fitness and activity behavior of the population living in Germany over a longer period of time and to analyze it against the backdrop of current social events.

To the website

The Motorik-Module study assessment consists of anthropometric measurements, recording activity behavior using questionnaires, conducting fitness tests, and a health interview. Selected participants receive an accelerometer to record the duration and intensity of their physical behavior over a week.

Examination parameters

Further project team

The German Motor Test (DMT) enables the measurement and evaluation of motor skills in children and adolescents aged 6–18. It was developed by leading experts from the German Association for Sports Science (dvs). The impetus for this came from a request made by the Conference of Sports Ministers (SMK) to the dvs.

Participating institutions

• FoSS
• Deutsche Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft (dvs)
  
• Sportministerkonferenz
  

"Motor performance is closely related to health. This relationship becomes stronger with increasing age. The current discussion in science, the media, and the public shows that the performance of today's children and adolescents has declined compared to previous generations.
On behalf of the Conference of Sports Ministers, the ad hoc committee “Motor Tests for Children and Adolescents” of the German Association for Sports Science developed the DMT, which allows the level of motor skills and abilities of children and adolescents to be continuously assessed nationwide in order to make future political decisions based on reliable data.

The test profile consists of a total of eight exercises and assesses physical performance in the areas of endurance, strength, coordination, speed, and agility. The test tasks only require basic motor skills and no specific skills. With the help of the DMT, both current performance (cross-sectional studies) and performance and development trends (longitudinal studies) can be determined.

The test is considered highly standardized and can be easily performed with minimal equipment. In Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, the DMT is already used almost everywhere in the form of the “Kinderturn-TestPLUS” or “Motorische Test” (motor skills test). Numerous studies of the quality criteria have confirmed its good objectivity, reliability, and validity.

The test results can be evaluated manually or using an evaluation platform.

Overall, the DMT is considered a meaningful sports motor skills test profile for measuring general sports motor skills performance.

Funding period

2021-2024

Sample

Children aged 3 to 10 years tested in kindergartens, elementary school and sports clubs

Participating institutions

• Baden-Württemberg Children's Gymnastics Foundation
• Badischer Turner-Bund e.V.
• Swabian Gymnastics Federation
• FoSS
• mb-mediasports

Since 2012, KITT+3-10 has been used in kindergartens, elementary schools, and sports clubs as part of the “Turnbeutelbande – Motorik Test für Kinder” initiative to assess the motor skills of children aged 3 to 10. The resulting scientific findings are published annually in the form of the Fitness Barometer. The aim is to bring the promotion of physical activity among children to the attention of politicians and society and to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity.

The test procedure and standard values of KITT+3-10 are identical to those of the German Motor Test (DMT). KITT+3-10 is divided into two modules: Module 1 is designed for children of kindergarten age and comprises four test tasks, while Module 2 is recommended for children of primary school age and includes all eight test tasks of the DMT.

To the website

The aim of the joint project "Staying young with robots (JuBot) - Versatile assistance robotics for coping with everyday life" is to develop humanoid robot systems and exoskeletons with assistance functions that support older people in coping with everyday tasks. The focus here is on personalizing the assistance functions in order to optimally adapt the systems to the very individual needs of older people. The project is divided into four areas: (A) mechano-informatics of assistive robot technologies, (B) personalized and context-sensitive assistance, (C) motor and cognitive training and (D) future life with assistive robots. The scientific contribution of the Social and Health Sciences of Sport work area is assigned to areas C and D. Within area C, concepts are being developed with which the motor performance of older people can be diagnosed with the help of humanoid robot systems and exoskeletons and improved or maintained through robot-assisted, personalized training programs. Furthermore, area D is investigating how these systems can be integrated into the real world and subsequently validated.

The press release on the project launch can be viewed here.

Partner

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. T. Asfour (IAR, KIT)
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hein (IAR, KIT)
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. S. Matthiesen (IPEK, KIT)
• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Barbara Deml (IFAB)
• Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald (ITAS)
• Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Thorsten Stein (IFSS)

Sponsorship

• Carl Zeiss Foundation

Funding period

• DFG funding: 2014-2023
• Ongoing

Participating institutions

• RDM@kit service team (KIT Library, SCC)
• mb-mediasports
• German Association for Sports Science (dvs)
• Working Group of Sports Science Libraries (AGSB)

MO|RE data should be accessible free of charge to scientists, practitioners (trainers/teachers/doctors) and the interested public. MO|RE data is intended to be a web-based application whose research data can be exported and reused as citable and internationally verified data. This should create incentives to share one's own research data and to conduct further research with citable data in order to improve and expand the database.

A web-based application was already created during the first project phase (2014-2016). During the second project phase (2021-2022), the aim is now to expand this in terms of user-friendliness and to implement measures for networking, quality assurance, and sustainability.

To the website

Term

1992-2027

Study sample

Residents of Bad Schönborn aged 35 and above (covering middle to late adulthood)

Research questions

• How physically active, fit and healthy are the citizens of Bad Schönborn? And how do activity, fitness and health change in middle and later adulthood?
  
• Why do some become ill while others remain healthy despite having the same living conditions?
• What direct and indirect effects does sporting activity have on fitness and various health measures, taking into account other internal and external factors?

The research concept of “Gesundheit zum Mitmachen” is designed as a holistic approach, aiming to comprehensively capture and evaluate pertinent factors that may impact participants' health. This methodology enables the identification of social, health-related, personal, and environmental determinants of individual fitness and health status, and helps derive actionable recommendations for improving personal living conditions. Physical activity and exercise behavior, as well as psychosocial health needs and resources, are assessed through questionnaires that were specifically developed for the purpose of the study. Laboratory analyses are conducted to examine blood values, while body composition is assessed through measurements of body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Participants also undergo thorough orthopedic, internal, and neurological examinations. Subsequently, a standardized motor performance test battery is used to evaluate current physical capabilities. This includes assessments of strength, speed, endurance, coordination, and cognitive functions such as reaction time and hand-eye coordination, providing insight into each participant’s health and fitness status.