Following the 9th Interdisciplinary dvs Expert Workshop in Frankfurt (March 2025), the Working Group for Sports Psychology (asp) and the German Association for Sports Science (dvs) are jointly initiating a Delphi process for sports and exercise therapy in the treatment of mental health disorders.

Through this multi-stage, scientifically grounded consensus process, we aim to systematically capture your professional position and collaboratively develop a coordinated understanding across disciplines.

Objective of the Delphi Process

The long-term goal is to establish sports and exercise therapy as an integral part of therapeutic practice for mental health disorders and to identify the necessary next steps.

By the end of the process, we aim to achieve:

• a cross-disciplinary agreed understanding for the establishment of sports and exercise therapy
• the development of a joint position paper
• a solid foundation for further professional and scientific steps

Broad participation from experts across various disciplines is crucial for the success of this initiative.

Process of the Delphi Method

The process includes three rounds of surveys spaced approximately three weeks apart:

1st Round – Open Assessments (until February 13, 2026)
Collection of open feedback on topics such as:

• Care and legal situation
• Qualification requirements
• Research
• Practical implementation

2nd Round – Consolidation and Structuring (call to follow shortly)
Integration and bundling of feedback with the aim of identifying central themes and priorities.

3rd Round – Evaluation and Consensus Building
Classification and assessment of the results to achieve an interdisciplinary consensus.

We warmly invite asp members, representatives from related disciplines, and all interested parties to participate.

Stay tuned for participation in the second part of the Delphi process.

Please feel free to forward the participation link to other experts in the field.

Transparency and Next Steps

On this page, we will continuously provide updates on:

• the current status of the Delphi process
• interim results from the individual rounds
• the publication of the position paper
• further initiatives and follow-up projects

We are very pleased with your participation in this important professional development process.
On behalf of asp (President Prof. Dr. Jana Strahler) and dvs (Vice President Prof. Dr. Bettina Wollesen).

Summary of the Interdisciplinary dvs Workshop on March 28, 2025, in Frankfurt/M.

The workshop on "Sports and Exercise Therapy for Mental Illnesses", organized by dvs in cooperation with asp, brought together over 70 experts and interested parties on March 28, 2025, at Goethe University in Frankfurt to discuss the significance and role of sports and exercise therapy in mental illnesses.

Numerous clinical studies and meta-analyses demonstrate the positive effects of exercise and sports therapy for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders. This form of therapy is increasingly recognized as an evidence-based measure alongside psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. However, there is still a lack of systematic integration into healthcare provision. The aim of the workshop was to promote exchange among relevant stakeholders and to discuss ways for broader implementation of this therapy form. Target group-specific challenges were addressed, and networking among relevant stakeholders was encouraged.

The event included three main lectures, four impulse talks from various associations, and two workshops featuring interdisciplinary and professional discussion rounds. It concluded with a plenary discussion where key insights were gathered.

There was consensus that sports and movement therapy is an effective tool in the treatment of mental illnesses. At the same time, structural deficiencies in practical implementation were addressed, particularly the limited access in many clinical facilities and the lack of interdisciplinary exchange among professionals. In the "World Café," numerous points of central action areas were developed. These results will be documented in a position paper that outlines the contents of the workshop and aims to provide impulses for science, practice, and health policy.

The event was a significant step towards further establishing sports and movement therapy in the treatment of mental illnesses. We, as asp, will continue to actively pursue this topic and organize future events to promote interdisciplinary exchange and development in this field.

We thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to further collaboration!

Prof. Dr. Jana Strahler (University of Freiburg)