Research award for innovative training approaches: Apply now!

Research award for innovative training approaches: Apply now!

The Research Institute for Training in Prevention (FIT-Prevention) has announced the awarding of a young research award for 2026. This award aims to honor outstanding scientific work in the field of preventative muscle and cardiovascular training. Loud FIT prevention The awarding criteria are designed for work that was completed or published in 2024 or 2025.

A total of three prize levels will be awarded: First place receives 3,000 euros, second place receives 2,000 euros and third place receives 1,000 euros. Prizes are awarded to both individuals and research teams who present creative ideas and innovative questions in their projects that are undoubtedly of practical relevance. A crucial element of the application is a maximum three-minute video pitch that clearly presents the research idea.

Application details and objectives

The award-winning projects will be presented either at FIBO 2026 in Cologne or in a knowledge webinar. This award is intended not only to promote scientific discourse in the area of ​​training prevention, but also to provide impetus for practice and political decision-makers. The application deadline is set for September 30, 2025. Young researchers who have written master's theses, dissertations or scientific studies can take part in the call for proposals. Professors and chair holders are excluded from participation.

The application must be submitted digitally in German or English. It should include the following elements: title and contact details, documentation of the research work of 3 to 5 pages (which accounts for 50 percent of the evaluation), a tabular CV of a maximum of 2 pages and the video pitch. The pitch also contributes 50 percent to the overall grade. Consent forms for co-authorship may also need to be provided.

Submissions must be submitted as a PDF document and separately as a video file (in MOV or MP4 format) with a maximum upload size of 1 GB. FIT Prevention is part of the Expert Alliance for Health e. V. and is scientifically led by Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse led.

Importance of muscle training for health

The importance of muscle and cardiovascular training extends far beyond aesthetic motives. How FIBO explains, sustainable motivation for muscle training is closely linked to a fundamental understanding of the positive effects. Often, initial motivations such as losing weight or looking better are dominant, but this can lead to a sense of failure if faster progress fails to occur. A formula for long-term motivation is to expand these motivations.

Muscle training has been proven to have numerous benefits for general well-being and quality of life and can also significantly reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases. It reduces the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes by 30 percent and of cardiovascular diseases by 20 to 25 percent.

Research alliances and their goals

In the context of evidence-based public health, there are numerous research alliances that were active between 2014 and 2022. These associations, including AEQUIPA, CAPITAL4HEALTH and SMARTACT, focus on the further development of evidence-based principles in primary prevention and health promotion. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of non-academic actors and user groups in order to be able to effectively implement the research results PMC reported.

The different associations pursue specific topics, ranging from promoting physical activity among older people to healthy communities. All associations share the goal of integrating interdisciplinary findings and actively involving stakeholders in the process. These efforts are particularly important given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Flexibility in the methodology is essential in order to attract target groups that are difficult to reach and to sustainably anchor the effects of preventive measures.