Abstract des Autors

An inventory was made of the organisation and methods of sports groups for cardiac patients (SCP's) in the Netherlands. Personal, health and lifestyle characteristics of participants both in the Netherlands and in Germany were also studied, as well as the tertiary preventive effects that participants themselves credit to SCP's. This pilot study showed that in Dutch SCP's the emphasis lies on being active. In Germany, SCP's are integrated in the medical circuit and concentrate more explicitly on physical reconditioning. Three quarters of all participants are myocardial infarction patients. SCP-participants in both countries believe that participation improves physical and mental fitness, and that SCP's are important in bringing about lifestyle changes that prevent recurrence. Verf.-Referat