As part of the new series of events entitled ‘Forgotten Patients – Not Measured? Not Understood? Not Treated?’, the university is specifically highlighting medical topics that have so far received too little attention. The series kicked off on Friday 12 June 2026 with a full-day symposium at OTH Regensburg, organised by the Biomechanics Laboratory under the direction of Prof. Dr Sebastian Dendorfer.
A research gap with high societal relevance
Pelvic floor problems affect millions of women, yet the data available in many areas is insufficient. This is precisely where OTH Regensburg’s research comes in: for the first time, it is systematically investigating how the pelvic floor is strained in everyday life and which biomechanical processes play a role in this.
“There are still significant gaps in research into women’s health in many areas. Our aim is to close these gaps with robust data and thereby lay the foundations for effective prevention,” emphasises Prof. Dr Sebastian Dendorfer. “Only by understanding the actual stresses involved can we take targeted action and sustainably improve the quality of life for many women.”
OTH Regensburg as a driving force for interdisciplinary research
The symposium highlighted the breadth of academic expertise at OTH Regensburg and its role as a driving force: researchers from various disciplines presented their current work and brought together different perspectives – ranging from biomechanics and medicine to therapeutic and social sciences.
Dr Marcus Koch from OTH Regensburg opened the event with an introduction to the anatomical fundamentals of the pelvic floor, thereby establishing a common technical foundation for the subsequent presentations. External experts, such as Prof. Dr Barbara Fillenberg from Mainz University Medical Centre, Prof. Dr Simone Kubowitsch from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and Jan Vychitil from NTC Pilsen, broadened the perspectives and emphasised the high relevance of the topic.
To conclude, research assistants Nikolas Förstl and Ina Kasberger from OTH Regensburg presented their research findings from the ERDF BY-CZ-funded project ‘3PD – Prevention of Pelvic Floor Problems’. In their study, they had female participants perform various exercises in order to precisely calculate the stresses placed on the pelvic floor during these activities. For example, they investigated the forces at work when jumping from a squatting position. Based on these findings, existing training approaches are to be critically reviewed and either specifically refined or, where necessary, discarded. The keen interest shown by the audience – particularly amongst midwives and therapists – was evident in the numerous questions and in-depth discussions that followed.
In addition to the specialist presentations, the symposium offered practical insights into current research approaches. In the foyer, OTH Regensburg showcased innovative measurement technology and applications from the Biomechanics Laboratory, including camera-based motion analysis, which is already being used in clinical contexts, for example to examine gait and movement patterns.
This close integration of research and application is a key feature of the work carried out at OTH Regensburg. The data collected will ultimately be incorporated into digital prevention solutions, such as a smart training tool that enables personalised exercises based on biomechanical analyses.
Bringing a taboo subject into the public eye
A key aim of the event was to bring the topic of the pelvic floor more firmly into professional and public discourse. Despite its great importance for health and quality of life, it has so far received comparatively little attention.
Through this symposium, OTH Regensburg has brought together the latest research and promoted dialogue between academia, practitioners and the public. The ‘Forgotten Patients’ series of events will address further topics relating to women’s health in future.
