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Medical Oncology
Medical Director:
Prof. Dr. Dirk Jäger

Exercise Oncology

Early observational studies suggest that physical exercise may have an impact on survival and recurrence of the disease. Study data are available for breast, colon and prostrate cancer. In addition, first studies showed that beside patient's quality of life, therapy-and illness-related side-effects were also positively impacted by systematic sports and exercise therapy.

For this reason, our research group "Exercise Oncology" is investigating the preventive and rehabilitative effect of sports and exercise therapy as well as its physiological surrogate parameters such as endurance and muscular strength, in view of the side effects of the tumor therapy and the prognosis. The optimization of oncological treatment as well as the needs of our patients are always at the core, they shape our concepts and efforts. With methodically sophisticated clinical studies, we strive to push forward the development of evidence-based sports and exercise-based therapeutic training programs for cancer patients. 

Respective programs will be designed specifically for disease situations, side effects and the individual patients' characteristics. The knowledge gained from the studies will then be translated into specific treatment programs for our patients.

» Counseling service "Physical Activity and Cancer"»

Our research group works in close cooperation with the Division of Physical Activity, Prevention and Cancer, headed by Prof. Karen Steindorf.

  • Clinical studies on the efficacy of physical activity and sports in cancer patients with the emphasis on breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer as well as leukemia/lymphoma (allogenic stem cell transplantation) and pediatric oncology.
  • Development and evaluation of side-effect-oriented treatment pathways involving exercise and physical activity.
  • Studies to assess the prognostic significance of physical performance, i.e. strength, endurance and coordination.
  • Evaluation of mechanisms.
  • Studies on optimizing training management in oncological diseases.
  • Care research with the goal of high-quality and comprehensive exercise movement therapies being offered throughout Germany (» Network OnkoAktiv)

Prof. Dr. Joachim Wiskemann
Head of the working group "Exercise Oncology"
Department of Medical Oncology
T: +49 6221 56-5904
F: +49 6221 56-7225
joachim.wiskemann(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Curriculum vitae (Download as PDF, german)

Prof. Dr. phil. Joachim Wiskemann
Gruppenleiter
joachim.wiskemann(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Dr. phil. Julia Albrecht 
Projektassistentin
julia.albrecht(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Nikolai Bauer
Doktorand / Sportwissenschaftler
nikolai.bauer(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Christine Boos
Patientenkoordinatorin
christine.boos(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Katharina Herzog
Doktorandin / Sportwissenschaftlerin
katharina.herzog(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Elisa Kebschull
Sporttherapeutin
elisa.kebschull(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Maximilian Köppel
Doktorand / Sportwissenschaftler
maximilian.koeppel(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Dr. phil. Rea Maria Kühl
Postdoktorandin / Sportwissenschaftlerin
rea.kuehl(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Victoria Lalla-Stickler
Netzwerkkoordinatorin
victoria.lalla-stickler(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de

Corinna Meyer-Schwickerath
Doktorandin / Sportwissenschaftlerin
corinna.meyer-schwickerath(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Dr. phil. Jana Müller
Postdoktorandin / Sportwissenschaftlerin
jana.mueller(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Meret Nickel 
Studentische Hilfskraft (LION)
meret.nickel(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Hannah Oelmaier 
Doktorandin / Sportwissenschaftlerin
hannah.oelmaier(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Franziska Olivier
Sportwissenschaftlerin / Sporttherapeutin
franziska.olivier(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Jean-Luc Paratte
Sport- und Physiotherapeut
jean-luc.paratte(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Annerose Pfeifer
Studienassistentin
annerose.pfeifer(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Dr. sc. hum. Sophie Scherer-Trame
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
sophie.scherer-trame(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Anne Streblow
Sportwissenschaftlerin M.Sc./ Patientenkoordinatorin
anne.streblow(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Amelie Trautmann
Physiotherapeutin
amelie.trautmann(at)nct-heidelberg.de

Annelie Voland
Doktorandin / Sportwissenschaft
annelie.voland(at)nct-heidelberg.de

"Rudern gegen Krebs" (rowing against cancer)

» Further information (only available in German)

"Bouldern gegen Krebs" (bouldering against cancer)

» Further information (only available in German)


"Beweg Dich gegen Krebs" (moving against cancer)

» Further information (only available in German)


Events Network OnkoAktiv

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