Research profile

The application of sport and exercise in mental and neurological diseases is the subject of research, teaching and therapeutic offers of the Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry of the German Sport University.
For evidence-based therapeutic use of sport and exercise in neurology, psychosomatic medicine and psychiatry, a fundamental understanding of the relationship between exercise and psychological and neurobiological functions is essential. In addition to application-related therapy research, the department therefore focuses on basic research in movement behaviour, including non-verbal behaviour and cognitive, emotional and interactive processes. The methodological spectrum includes behavioural movement analysis, near-infra-red spectroscopy and motion capture in healthy subjects and subjects with neurological and mental illnesses as well as clinical therapy studies. 
In teaching, the department represents the above-mentioned topics in the Master's degree programme in Rehabilitation and Health Management, in the Bachelor's degree programme in Sport and Health in Prevention and Therapy and in Teaching. It also contributes to teaching in the Bachelor's degree programme in key Qualifications and in the doctoral degree programme. Club-based sport and exercise therapy groups / outpatient rehabilitation sport, study-related diagnostics for athletes with sport-related concussion, individual psychological counselling and psychotherapy including exercise and dance therapy represent the therapeutic services offered by the department.