Movement, Ageing, and Prevention: The University of Münster’s Contribution to KIC
At the University of Münster, research on physical activity and ageing is rooted in a long-standing scientific tradition that views movement as a core determinant of health, function, and independence across the life course. Our work within the Institute of Sports and Exercise Sciences focuses on understanding how physical activity can be designed, adapted, and sustained to support healthy ageing in diverse populations.
Prevention as a Research and Systems Priority
A central theme of our research is prevention — not as an abstract concept, but as a measurable, evidence-based process shaped by behavioural, social, and environmental conditions. This perspective was also central to my role as Chair of the COST Action PhysAgeNet, which brought together researchers across Europe to advance knowledge on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and ageing, while strengthening cross-disciplinary and translational collaboration.
From Evidence to Impact: Lessons from PhysAgeNet
Through my role as Chair of the COST Action PhysAgeNet, it became increasingly clear that while the scientific evidence on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and ageing is strong, the structural pathways for translating this evidence into policy and practice remain fragmented. Too often, research, policy, and implementation operate in parallel rather than in concert.
This gap is not a matter of knowledge generation, but of coordination, alignment, and real-world testing.
Where KIC Makes the Difference
This is precisely where the Kinesis Innovation Center (KIC) plays a critical role. KIC provides a connective platform that enables movement and ageing research to move beyond academic settings and into environments where it can generate tangible societal value.
Within KIC, scientific knowledge is not treated as an endpoint, but as a starting point for implementation.
A Platform for Translation and Learning
KIC offers a space where applied research can be:
- Translated into real-world interventions, grounded in evidence from movement and ageing science
- Tested and refined through living labs and pilot environments, allowing rapid learning and adaptation
- Developed in continuous dialogue with policymakers, practitioners, and system actors, ensuring relevance from the outset
This approach supports prevention strategies that are not only theoretically sound, but also feasible, evaluable, and scalable.
Building Systems That Enable Healthy Ageing
Our engagement with KIC allows the University of Münster to extend its research impact beyond academic debate, contributing to system-level approaches that embed physical activity into health systems, workplaces, and community environments.
Healthy ageing cannot rely on recommendations alone. It requires evidence-informed systems that make movement accessible, meaningful, and sustainable across the life course — a goal shared by both our institute and the Kinesis Innovation Center.