Heart and lung training - our project for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2023
With the devices financed by Stiftung KinderHerz, the patients start their 22-month training phase.
Vanessa gets an introduction to the handling of the ergometer.
Professional care and advice for patients is a basic requirement for proper training.
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 central Berlin. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is an event of the SCC EVENTS GmbH. A limited number of starting places are available to the Stiftung KinderHerz, which are distributed via charity fundraising campaigns.
Requirements:
You start a fundraising campaign and thus collect at least 660 euros in donations by August 24, 2023. Afterwards, you will receive a charity starting place from the KinderHerz Foundation - provided that not all places have been assigned yet. In addition, you will receive a "KinderHerz runner" -T-shirt from us. With this you are ready to start and you will receive a registration code from us to run as a KinderHerz runner through the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate.
Every donor who supports your running campaign will receive a tax-deductible donation receipt for donations of 20 euros or more. For this we need the postal address. We are happy if you also contribute to your campaign. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to provide you personally with a donation receipt. For legal reasons, your participation in the run is considered as a return for your donation.
Your fundraising campaign usually has a runtime of 60 days. After expiration, your fundraising campaign is marked as "beendet" ("finished") and the donation function is deactivated. However, you can extend the duration at any time. To do so, please use the secret edit link you received by email after you created your campaign.
Unfortunately, you will then not be able to start for the Stiftung KinderHerz. However, our little patients thank you for your commitment, because every donation helps!
Please note: Donations collected through your fundraising campaign cannot be refunded. This applies if the donation goal was not reached or unfortunately there is no longer a starting place available, which could happen in very rare cases.
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!
