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Idea

Cystic fibrosis (ICD-10: E 84.x, syn.: CF) is the most common genetic disease in Europe, the USA, and Canada. A genetic defect leads to the formation of thick mucus, resulting in chronic inflammation in vital organs such as the lungs, liver, and pancreas. Although the loss of lung tissue is now often the life-limiting factor, cystic fibrosis is a complex, multi-organ disease with a progressive course.

Grafik welche den Zusammenhang zwischen Sport, der Muko Sport App und der Behandlung von Mukoviszidose zeigt.

To reduce possible deterioration/complications (e.g., progression of lung destruction, osteoporosis, joint inflammation, atypical diabetes, liver tissue changes leading to cirrhosis, scarring of pancreatic tissue, right heart strain, partial and global pulmonary insufficiency), care within a defined cross-sectoral network of various cystic fibrosis-experienced service providers (physicians of the respective specialties, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists, social workers, sports therapists) is important.

Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and also plays a role in patient care. Individualized sports counseling aims to motivate patients to increase their physical activity and participation in sports. The sports therapist follows these intervention steps:

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1) The sports therapist/sports scientist gathers medical information about the patient's health status and any limitations.

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2) A structured consultation is held with the patient and their parents regarding physical activity, including a questionnaire to assess the patient's current activity level.

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3) A training plan is developed and/or suitable local exercise or sports programs are identified (including discussions with clubs or sports instructors, if necessary).

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4) The goal is to improve the activity level of children and adolescents to at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, ideally 90 minutes per day, with moderate and vigorous activities.


Since cystic fibrosis is a rare disease, a conflict arises between the principle of expertise and the need for treatment to be located near the patient's home. This means that personal contact often only occurs quarterly, and further communication can only take place by phone or email.


For this reason, the developed "Muko Sport App" is designed as a motivational tool to support therapists and bridge the gap in continuous contact with patients. This allows for the establishment of a patient-centered care model in a quality-assured manner.

Thus, as an intrinsic motivational tool, the "Muko Sport App" supports patients in achieving their individual goals, maintaining or improving their health and performance, and ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.

The app was tested as part of a study entitled "Effects of using an app as a motivational tool to increase physical activity after individual sports counseling in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis" at Hannover Medical School (MHH). Ethics committee approval was obtained for this study (No. 9649_BO_S_2021).

App development: Einfach Genial gGmbH (https://www.einfachgenial.org/)

Concept, content responsibility: Florian Junge, sports scientist (M.Sc.)

Financial and legal support, conceptual design: Mehr Aktion! für Kinder und Jugend e.V (https://mehraktion.de/).

The Borg scale helps you assess how strenuous an exercise or training session is for you.

You achieve the best training effect, without overexerting yourself, if you end the workout with a score between 13 and 17.

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