Current Projects

behERZt - Physical activity-related health promotion for older people in rural communities in the districts of Erzgebirgskreis

In structurally weak regions such as the Erzgebirgskreis, there is often a deficit with regard to the provision of needs-based exercise programs as a measure to promote health and strengthen social cohesion for the particularly strongly represented population group of older people aged 65 and over. By increasing the density of offers in the area of exercise promotion, accessibility for senior citizens in rural areas can be improved so that as many older people as possible can benefit from the proven positive biopsychosocial health effects of regular and communal exercise activities.

The “behERZt” project aims to implement health-promoting (evidence-based) exercise programs in municipalities. In the Erzgebirgskreis district for older senior citizens (aged 65 and over), some of whom live alone. This involves promoting motor skills (strength, endurance, coordination, mobility) and everyday cognitive functions (e.g. memory, attention, mental flexibility) on a needs-specific and group-based basis. The health-promoting interventions and supervision of the exercise groups are carried out by exercise instructors and exercise mentors. In addition to implementing the physical activity offers, local actors and organizations from different sectors and social sponsorships (e.g. mayors, sports clubs, citizens' meetings, general practitioners) are networked with each other in order to anchor the health promotion measures in the area of physical and social activity structurally and thus sustainably in the municipalities.

The project contributes to improving exercise-related healthcare and promotes equal health opportunities and social cohesion among older citizens in rural regions. At the same time, it supports the goal of “healthy ageing” pursued in the Erzgebirgskreis.

Contact persons: Prof. Dr. Torsten Schlesinger, Alexandra Eigner (M.Sc.), Katharina Zwingmann (M.Sc.)

Projekt period: 01.01.2025 - 30.06.2027

Project Sponsor: The project is supported by funds of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Iden-tity (BMLEH) based on a decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany via the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) under the innovation support programme.

Project partner: Landratsamt Erzgebirgskreis, Department Health promotion