PRESS INFORMATION
CONTENT Page mei:do Training for physical and mental fitness 3 Novel prevention program for everyone mei:do concepts GmbH starts with various units 4 Scientifically based training for body and brain mei:do: a scientifically based system that produces effective results 6 Training for body and brain to help people remain healthy well into old age Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer 8 Managing Director mei:do concepts GmbH Press Contacts 9
mei:do Training for physical and mental fitness Novel prevention program for everyone mei:do is based on a holistic training principle that offers not only a new kind of physical training, but also strengthens cognitive fitness. Training principles from highperformance sports, adapted for everyone, go hand in hand with a mental training program, which was developed on the basis of findings from neuroscientific research. mei:do is a prevention concept that leads to more mental and physical flexibility. mei:do stands for I do. It is not enough just to engage in sports to grow older and remain healthy. A healthy mind is also part of a healthy body. This is how Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer, managing shareholder of mei:do concepts GmbH, explains the connection. The mei:do exercises trigger special training stimuli that keep body and mind flexible and strong. The cognitive training units are based on scientifically developed programs. The brain is activated and made to work, among other things, by new and unexpected stimuli that keep on changing. These exercises are specifically designed to promote mental agility, creativity and the ability to concentrate. They mobilise the brain just like back exercises mobilise the spine. All exercises are effectively coordinated and varied. For example, one exercise from focus energy training consists of triggering a focus task that requires the full concentration of the participant. This follows a unit of cardio training that focuses on the body. Other variations aim to improve balance, strength and concentration always in connection with attractive cognitive exercises relating to memory, attentiveness, flexibility and creativity. These are carried out on a computerised basis, e.g. with ipads. This means that each training unit combines mental and physical exercises that are applied simultaneously or alternately. Endurance is trained on cardio equipment, while coordination and balance are improved with special small devices. Intramuscular coordination is optimised by effective exercises for the entire body. Innovative relaxation methods at the end of each training unit round off the training, promote self-regulation and help participants deal with their own stress management. Every participant receives the mei:do score, which measures how effective the training is. The evaluation is an important element in the mei:do program and has a motivating effect.
mei:do concepts GmbH starts with various units Scientifically based training for body and brain that produces effective results mei:do concepts GmbH was founded in 2012 by Dr. Katrin Adlkofer together with ABAG Aktienmarkt Beteiligungs AG. ABAG is a quoted company (listed on the Open Market). More than three quarters of all the shares are held by the first private Investmentclub Börsebius Zentral (GbR), which currently has 1,441 partners, mostly doctors. mei:do offers combined body and mind training developed on the basis of findings from neuroscientific and sports research. The program is aimed at persons aged 45+ that want to age in a healthy manner and want to have fun and please in achieving this goal. The offerings of mei:do concept GmbH are available in the mei:do center and in the business units mei:do at work, mei:do on tour, and sen:do. mei:do products offers a world of products that complements the mei:do principle. mei:do center The mei:do center offers combined mental and physical training as group and circuit training. To support physical fitness, the center offers training to improve balance, coordination and stability as well as the cardiovascular system, strength, relaxation and mobility. In doing so, mei:do follows the principle that body and mind should always be trained in combination. The mei:do trainers provide highly personalized and individual assistance to customers. This helps ensure that participants remain motivated and continue to enjoy the training. In addition, scientifically based healthy aging applications are offered in the mei:do center. Examples are cell training and a novel oxygen-based treatment of the skin, for preventive purposes or fast regeneration. The first mei:do center will open its doors in Hamburg in June 2013. mei:do at work mei:do at work is designed for companies and was developed as a program for employees in the context of corporate health management. The training program develops the mental and physical capabilities and mobility of staff. mei:do offers special training formats that are individually tailored to the needs of the employees. A mei:do trainer motivates single employees or entire groups to raise their mental and physical fitness, even if they were previously not receptive to training and sports.
Companies can choose between training in-house or in the mei:do center. The training units are individually adapted to the needs of the employees. All training sessions can be carried out in a team or for individuals, in the mei:do center or at home. mei:do offers special programs that focus on certain areas, including stress resistance, brainpower, leadership skills and social competence. mei:do on tour mei:do on tour combines vacations with training for body and mind. The mei:do training with qualified, certified trainers is offered in health-oriented facilities such as wellness hotels, club hotels and cruise liners (for example the SEA CLOUD). Guests take part in the mei:do training in their holiday environment to do something good for body, mind and soul. This training was offered for the first time this year on SEA CLOUD II. mei:do products mei:do products complement mei:do s holistic health concept. Healthy eating, a fresh appearance, physical well-being and enjoying life are essential if the quality of life is to be preserved and enhanced in the long term. The better aging products are either offered in cooperation with other firms or developed by mei:do itself. Initially, the products will be offered in the online shop at http://shop.mei-do.de. Later, a selected range of products will also be available in the mei:do centers. sen:do sen:do is a sub-brand that was developed out of mei:do. It is aimed especially at older people in the third stage of their life. sen:do is mental and physical training for seniors. It can improve the quality of life on a lasting basis, among other things by making people more independent. The program motivates participants and raises their sense of well-being. They become demonstrably more self-determined and more attentive with regard to their environment. sen:do is aimed at persons in the 70-plus age group.
mei:do: a scientifically based system that produces effective results Training for body and brain to help people remain healthy well into old age The latest findings of brain research show that the human brain acts like a muscle and can be trained even in old age. Jessica Schüßler, Director of Sports Science at mei:do, explains: If I do not train my back muscles, I lose muscular strength and am more susceptible to ailments. The brain is very similar in this respect. It only remains fit and effective if it is regularly trained. For a long time, scientists assumed that the adult brain represented a rigid system and that people have a number of brain cells that gradually die during their lifetime. However, neurological and neuroscientific research over the last 15 years has revealed that the human brain responds to external influences much more strongly than previously assumed. For example, the process of neurogenesis* remains active even in adults. The neuronal networks that are formed during a person s lifetime are still active and can be changed by experience, learning and memory training even in adults. Age- and disease-related processes of degeneration in the brain can best be prevented by new neuronal associations. These arise above all when persons experience and learn something new or consider well-known matters from new angles. Brain training based on the above is a key aspect in maintaining a person s overall capabilities. In the meantime, this has been verified by numerous studies**. Accordingly, the best fitness equipment for the head is in the arms and legs. People that move their muscles learn better, think more efficiently and let their gray cells grow. Movement stimulates the release of various chemical substances. One of these is the brain fertilizer BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor). This not only ensures that neurons connect to networks, but even enables new nerve cells to be created (neurogenesis). In 2008, leading neuroscientists already postulated that a combination of both training stimuli (movement, cognitive training) would have the most enduring effect in terms of improved brain performance and neuroplasticity. A recent study confirms this long presumed synergy effect: Regular movement stimulates and activates neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Complex cognitive stimuli in the form of targeted brain training support the survival
rate of these new, immature cells by helping them establish themselves on a lasting basis in the neuronal network during their maturation process. To optimize cognitive performance on a sustained basis, researchers therefore recommend a combination of both training stimuli instead of carrying out both activities in isolation. mei:do builds on this principle and therefore offers preventive and effective measures that maintain and improve cognitive skills, enhance physical fitness, lower the risk of age-related mental and physical illnesses and ensure sufficient relaxation. Memory, attentiveness, visual processing, motor system / coordination / balance and flexibility are maintained by the mei:do training. Recognition of patterns (wisdom), emotional self-regulation, empathy and insight as well as moral judgment can be improved. * Neurogenesis is the formation of nerve cells from certain stem or precursor cells. A distinction is made between neurogenesis during embryonic development and after birth. ** Sources: Der Körper formt den Geist, interview with Prof. Dr. Wildor Hollmann, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln (BARMER - Das aktuelle Gesundheitsmagazin, issue 3/2006)// Der Einfluss von Sport und Bewegung auf die zerebrale Leistungsfähigkeit, Prof. Dr. Dr. J. Weineck, ISSW Erlangen Nürnberg// Ulman Lindenberger, Florian Schmiedek and Martin Lövdén, 1 MPI for Human Development, Berlin 2 Humboldt University, Berlin 3 Lund University, Sweden, The COGITO Study: Practice Improves Cognitive Abilities in Adulthood
Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer Managing Director mei:do concepts GmbH Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer earned her doctor s degree at Eidgenössische Hochschule Zurich in 1997. Following her university career at the universities of Berlin, Harvard and Zurich she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Salk Institute, San Diego, USA and dedicated herself for 3 years to research and teaching activities with the focus on neuronal development. In 2000, Kathrin Adlkofer changed to the industry, working in Business and Corporate Development of Evotec AG closing several service deals and strategic alliances with Pharma and Biotech companies. Subsequently, she took over management of MediGate GmbH, a techtransfer subsidiary of the University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg. For the past 7 years, Dr. Adlkofer was Managing Director of NORGENTA North German Life Science Agency. Together with experts from sports- and neurosciences, Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer developed an innovative and effective training program mei:do to promote physical and cognitive flexibility until old age. In 2012, the scientist founded mei:do concepts and has been Managing Director since. Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer was born in Berlin. She is an enthusiastic and active athlete. The multiple world champion in sailing took part in the Olympic Games twice. Today, Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer lives with her family in Hamburg.
Press Contacts Ziegfeld Enterprise GmbH // PR + Event Agentur Friedensallee 38 22765 Hamburg www.ziegfeld-enterprise.de Isabel Lotz isabel.lotz@ziegfeld-enterprise.de Tel. +49 (0)40 / 38 68 74 64 Christina Krause christina.krause@ziegfeld-enterprise.de Tel. +49 (0)40 / 38 68 74 65