Designing physical activity that works
Physical activity is good for children and adolescents – but whether and how it works depends on how it is designed and experienced. The Y-Move Lab investigates how physical activity and sport promote cognition, well-being and health in children, adolescents and young adults. Working at the interface of sport pedagogy, psychology, medicine and health sciences, we conduct studies from the laboratory to the field – in schools, clinics and everyday settings.
What makes movement effective
We ask not only whether movement-based interventions work, but why, for whom and under which conditions. What matters is what children do, in which social and physical context, what they bring with them and how they experience the activity. Understanding these mechanisms allows us to design programmes that fit both the person and the situation.
From research to practice
Our research is problem-driven: it starts from challenges in practice, examines the underlying mechanisms, tests effectiveness and supports long-term implementation – for example in paediatric oncology with KiKli Fit. We pay particular attention to children and adolescents with special needs and, where useful, draw on digital approaches such as exergaming.
