Heart and lung training - our project for the BMW Berlin Marathon 2022
Active even with half a heart
Vanessa was born with a so-called half heart. A severe heart defect that can be corrected in several operations, but not be repaired. With continuous exercise, patients can actively counteract this process and even improve their performance. The basic prerequisite for this is professional support, for not all exercises are beneficial for their health.
Sprints or static strain, for example, are counterproductive. Swimming, cycling and breathing exercises on the other hand show positive effects. When exercising below the individual maximum intensity, the body can adapt to the special conditions of the single-chamber circuit in the long term. The filling phase of the ventricle is prolonged, as the heart beats less quickly under stress. The movement of the muscles basically acts like a pump and supports the blood flow.
Individual training with heart defects
The goal of the researchers at the German Heart Institute Berlin is to introduce "Herzkinder" with only half a heart to a guided training programme based on an individually developed plan. The combination of breathing therapy and physical training is intended to make the young patients fitter for the challenges of an active everyday life. They should experience the personal limits they did not previously know and learn to activate their reserves without fear.
The programme is intended to lay the foundation and motivate the participants to continue their training independently afterwards. An improvement of the cardio-pulmonary resilience and thus an increase in the attitude towards life is expected - as in the case of Vanessa, who enthusiastically participates. This training can be continued throughout their lives, so that children and young people with a unicameral heart are fitter for life.
You can learn more about the heart and lung training here:
(Only available in German language.)
This is how it works in detail
42.195 kilometers - through Berlin
Requirement: You start a fundraising campaign and collect at least 660 Euros.
Afterwards you will receive a guaranteed starting place and a KinderHerz running shirt. Now you are ready to run through the finishing line at the Brandenburg Gate as a KinderHerz runner.
Important: Only those who have successfully completed a fundraising campaign by August 2022 will be registered by us and can start as member of the Stiftung KinderHerz team.
Are you interested? Get in contact now!
Personal contact is important for us. As a longtime charity partner of various runs, you are in good hands with us! If you are interested, please feel free to send us an e-mail or give us a call.
Are you already registered directly through the organizer? Great, so you might be the next KinderHerz runner in our team! Register with us and turn your run into a charity run!