On the trail of the secret to a healthy lifestyle

Sports, physical activity, and nutrition are among the most important factors influencing health in modern societies and play a significant role in both science and health practice. Numerous studies have demonstrated links between sports, physical activity, and nutrition on the one hand, and well-being as well as the prevention of non-communicable, chronic degenerative diseases on the other. But how inseparable are sports, physical activity, and nutrition in their importance for a healthy lifestyle? Do synergies arise when these areas are promoted together? Are compensatory effects possible, similar to the commonly held belief: "If I exercise a lot, I can eat whatever I want"?

These questions were the focus of the participants at the dvs Commission for Health's annual conference. The programme, designed by the departments of Prof. Dr. Susanne Tittlbach and Prof. Dr. Othmar Moser at BaySpo – Bayreuth Centre for Sport Science, and Prof. Dr. Janin Henkel-Oberländer from the Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health in Kulmbach, offered a wide range of discussions. The conference attendees examined current scientific findings and developments in 13 academic working groups, four practical workshops, and two well-attended poster sessions.

Complex health behaviours in modern societies were discussed, taking into account both supportive and obstructive factors. The impact of combined interventions in sports, physical activity, and nutrition, digital interventions, and co-creation approaches were also explored, as well as the question of whether compensatory effects between sports, physical activity, and nutrition can be proven. The applied settings ranged from health and recreational sports to disability, rehabilitation, and preventive sports, as well as amateur and elite sports – all scientifically analysed through the lens of movement and nutrition.

Top keynote speakers and new formats

The conference hosted two keynote speakers: Prof. Dr. Javier Gonzales from the University of Bath, UK, and Prof. Dr. Julika Loss from the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin. In his keynote, Prof. Gonzales focused on targeted training and its interaction with carbohydrate intake and metabolism. Prof. Julika Loss concentrated on physical activity and nutrition in the context of societal megatrends such as urbanisation, climate change, connectivity, and mobility.

Other highlights of the programme included two new conference formats:

In the ‘Battle of Experts’, Prof. Dr. Alexander Woll (KIT), Prof. Dr. Filip Mess (TUM), Prof. Dr. Javier Gonzales (University of Bath), and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Tina Bartelmeß (UBT) debated with strict time and argumentation rules, based on debating guidelines, whether sports, physical activity, or nutrition—or all three areas—are the most important factors for promoting health and preventing disease.

A more relaxed but equally intensive and personal atmosphere was found at Café Bös & Brehm. Moderated by Susanne Tittlbach and Othmar Moser, the two founding fathers of the dvs Commission for Health, Prof. Dr. Klaus Bös (KIT) and Prof. Dr. Walter Brehm (UBT), answered questions in a cosy setting about the founding of the Commission in the mid-1990s. They compared the health and movement policies of then and now and shared their wealth of experience in positioning sports and nutritional sciences within the field of health.

For young scientists, the second day of the conference featured a highlight in the form of the Young Investigator Award, endowed with a total of €600 for the top places. Dr. Silas Dech from the University of Potsdam won with his presentation of a study on bouldering in sports therapy for scoliosis.

In addition to all the scientific aspects, the conference offered a diverse range of applied working groups, including contributions from DVGS and AOK, which focused on transferring scientific findings into professional practice in the fields of physical activity, nutrition, and health. The practical workshops covered topics such as sports and exercise therapy, nutritional therapy in rehabilitation, activity tracking with wearables, and prevention through physical activity and sports, with a particular focus on mental health, especially the health of students.