1

3 2

Index ....................................................................................................................... 2

Welcome .................................................................................................................. 4

International Scientific Committee .......................................................................... 6

Programme .............................................................................................................. 8

Interactive Seminars ............................................................................................. 10

10th anniversary Transplantoux ...............................................................................14

Biosketches ............................................................................................................16

Notes..................................................................................................................... 34

Index

5 4

Dear

friends, colleagues, volunteers, and all involved in the physical and

mental well-being of transplant recipients,

We are honoured and happy to welcome you to the first edition of the ‘Transplantoux

Symposium: Exercise is Medicine’!

Thousands of people worldwide are nowadays al ive thanks to the gift of l ife:

organ donation . Most patients wil l have encountered muscle weakness and physical

inactivity before or after their transplantation . However, as a result of physical

rehabilitation and continued regular physical activity, many patients may regain their

normal lives , while some may per form sports activities or even achieve exceptional

physical per formances, honouring their donor’s gift by maximising their metabolic

health and physical fitness. Nevertheless, a sedentary life-style, physical limitations

and their related complications , remain an important problem for a considerable

proportion of transplant recipients. Given the emerging evidence regarding the

beneficial effects of exercise training to improve mental and physical well-being ,

both before and after transplantation, barriers for implementation of regular physical

activity should be identified and overcome. It’s time to move!

We proudly present our programme, with leading experts from 7 different countries,

passionately elaborating on their scientific findings and practical experiences on

physical activity implementation throughout the different phases of transplantation.

Enjoy this year’s conference in the wonderful university town Leuven … And let’s meet

again next year for the second edition,… perhaps at the foot of the Mont Ventoux!

The Local Organising Committee

Prof Dr Diethard Monbaliu, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Prof Dr Robin Vos, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Dr Harlinde Peperstraete, Ghent University Hospital, BE

Prof Dr Yves Van Belleghem, Ghent University Hospital, BE

Mr Stefan De Smet, Transplantoux, BE

Mr Jonas Vanbekbergen, Transplantoux, BE

Welcome

6 7

The International Scientific Committee

Dr Berger Stefan, University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Prof Dr Cornelissen Véronique, KU Leuven, BE

Dr De Pauw Michel, Ghent University Hospital, BE

Mr De Smet Stefan, Transplantoux, BE

Prof Dr Lieven Dupont, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Prof Dr Leuvenink Henri, University of Groningen, NL

Prof Dr Mercer Tom, Queen Margaret University, UK

Prof Dr Monbaliu Diethard, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Dr Nanni Costa Alessandro, Italian National Transplant Center, IT

Dr Peperstraete Harlinde, Ghent University Hospital, BE

Dr Siebelink Marion, University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Prof Dr Sinnaeve Peter, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Mr Thomas Chris, World Transplant Games Federation, AU

Prof Dr Troosters Thierry, KU Leuven, BE

Prof Dr Van Belleghem Yves, Ghent University Hospital, BE

Dr Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis, Antwerp University Hospital, BE

Mr Vanbekbergen Jonas, Transplantoux, BE

Dr Verdier Jean-Claude, ICES Institut Coeur Effort Santé Paris, FR

Prof Dr Vos Robin, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Mr White Colin, Secretary of the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports

Federation, HU and Treasurer of the World Transplant Games Federation, UK

International Scientific Committee

9 8

13:05 - 13:55SESSION III: Physical Exercise: Friend or Foe? Session chairs: Michel De Pauw, Ghent University Hospital, BE &

Jean-Claude Verdier, Institut Coeur Effort Santé Paris, FR

13:05 - 13:30 Cardiovascular Events after Transplantation: Potential Pitfalls of Screening & Prevention Speaker: Kaat Goetschalckx, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

13:30 - 13:55 The Continuum of Pre- and Post-transplant Physical ActivitySpeaker: Patrick Calders, Ghent University Hospital, BE

13:55 - 15:10SESSION IV: Interactive Seminars on Physical Activity throughout the Different Phases of Organ Transplantation Session chair: Stefan De Smet, Transplantoux, BE

Training in the Pre-Transplantation Period Speaker: Sharlene Greenwood, King’s College Hospital, UK

Early Physical Activity and Mobilisation after Transplantation Speaker: Beatrix Clerckx, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

Training after Hospital Discharge Speaker: Rainer Gloeckl, Schön Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, DE

Training for Performance in the Stable Transplant Recipient Speaker: Jonas Vanbekbergen, Transplantoux, BE

15:10 - 15:30 Coffee break and Exhibition

15:30 - 16:25SESSION V: Train the Trainee: the Real Life Session chairs: Lieven Dupont, University Hospitals Leuven, BE & Colin White, European

Transplant & Dialysis Sports Federation, HU/World Transplant Games Federation, UK

15:30 - 15:55 Together to Get There, the Road to the World Transplant Games 2017 Speakers: Erik Hulzebos, University Medical Center Utrecht, NL and Bas van den Hoven, NL

15:55 - 16:10 Transplantoux: What Have We Learned? Speaker: Evi Masschelein, ETH Zurich, CH

16:10 - 16:35 The Role of the WTGF in Physical Activity after Transplantation Speaker: Chris Thomas, World Transplant Games Federation, AU

16:35 - 16:45 CLOSING SESSION

16:35 - 16:45 Closing remarksSpeaker: Diethard Monbaliu, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

16:45 - 17:30 Closing drink

08:30 - 09:00 Registration and Welcome coffee

09:00 - 09:05 Welcome & Introduction

09:00 - 09:05Welcome by the host of the Symposium Speaker: Diethard Monbaliu, University Hospitals Leuven, BE

09:05 - 10:20SESSION I: Physical Exercise in Transplantation: Current Evidence Session chairs: Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck, Antwerp University Hospital &

Tom Mercer, Queen Margaret University, UK

09:05 - 09:30Opening lecture: The Role of Physical Activity after Transplantation: Feasibility and Health-Related OutcomesSpeaker: Alessandro Nanni Costa, National Italian Transplant Centre, IT

09:30 - 09:55Quality of Life after Solid Organ Transplantation: the Role of Physical Activity Speaker: Sandra Oeyen, Ghent University Hospital, BE

09:55 - 10:20How to Monitor Physical Activity in the Transplant PopulationSpeaker: Thierry Troosters, KU Leuven, BE

10:20 - 10:50 Coffee break and Exhibition

10:50 - 12:05SESSION II: How to Move Forward Session chairs: Stefan Berger, University Medical Center Groningen, NL &

Véronique Cornelissen, KU Leuven, BE

10:50 - 11:15Facilitators and Barriers in Physical Activity after Transplantation Speaker: Edwin van Adrichem, University Medical Center Groningen, NL

11:15 - 11:40Why Prescribe Exercise as Medicine in the Clinical Care of Type 2 Diabetes? We Have a Pill for That! Speaker: Mathias Ried-Larsen, Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, DK

11:40 - 12:05Improving Physical Fitness in Transplant Recipients: What Can We Learn from Pro Athletes?Speaker: Peter Hespel, KU Leuven, BE

12:05 - 13:05 Lunch and Exhibition

Programme

11 10

From science to practice: Interactive Seminars on Physical Activity

throughout the Different Phases of Organ Transplantation

In the 4th session, we aim to provide interactive seminars on how to implement physical

activity throughout the different phases of organ transplantation:

In the pre-transplantation period

Early after transplantation

After discharge from the hospital

Following basic reconditioning: training for performance

We invite all participants to actively participate in these hands-on seminars!

WHAT

4 seminars of 15 minutes each. Participants are divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) -

have a look at the back of your badge to find out to which group you belong. All groups

will pass from one seminar to the other after 15 minutes, giving all of you the possibility

to attend the 4 seminars.

WHEN

Session IV of the scientific programme (13:55 - 15:10)

WHERE

Room “Spoor 95”, in front of the exhibition and catering area

Interactive SeminarsTraining in the Pre-Transplantation Period

Sharlene Greenwood, King’s College Hospital, UKPatients on the waiting l ist for organ transplantation typically express low levels of physical activity and

physical fitness. Malnutrition and chronic inflammation further affect muscle volume and strength. Frailty and

physical fitness are known determinants of post-operative complications, hospitalisation days, and mortality

following transplantation. However, emerging evidence shows adapted physical activity programmes to be

feasible and improve patients physical health status in anticipation of the transplantation procedure. What

are the limitations we should keep in mind for implementation of exercise training in this population, and how

should a suitable training programme look like?

Early Physical Activity and Mobilisation after Transplantation

Beatrix Clerckx, University Hospitals Leuven, BEMobilisation following transplantation should start as early as possible. How should physical activity be

initiated, and how should it be progressed over time so to optimally stimulate patients’ recovery?

S HORT D E S C R I P T I ON O F T H E TO P I C S (by the session chair)

Training after Hospital Discharge

Rainer Gloeckl, Schön Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, DEOn average, patients are discharged from the hospital 3 to 4 weeks after transplantation. Although basic

rehabilitation was provided in the hospital, physical fitness is still severely deteriorated due to the invasive

surgical procedure, obligatory immobilisation early after transplantation, and because of the poor physical

fitness prior to transplantation. Exercise focussed on muscle hypertrophy and aerobic capacity is required to

enable good physical functioning in patients’ daily life. This lecture elaborates on the structure and components

of training sessions in this phase after organ transplantation.

Training for Performance in the Stable Transplant Recipient

Jonas Vanbekbergen, Transplantoux, BEExercise is fun. And should be fun, for physical activity should become a part of daily life in both healthy and

clinical populations. Some transplant recipients take it to the next level and reach physical fitness levels well

beyond those of the general population. This is their way to honour their donor and to act as ambassadors

of a healthy lifestyle after transplantation. These days, an increasing number of sport events for transplant

recipients are being organized and bring together patients alike. Similar to athletes, transplant recipients enjoy

some friendly competition and gain great benefit by professional guidance towards their performance goals.

This seminar elaborates on the more advanced training strategies applied in transplant recipients training

towards their personal performance goals.

13 12

The 10th anniversary of Transplantoux

Nowadays Transplantoux organises sport events and motivates physical activity

throughout the year. These events vary from low intensity activities such as 5 km walks

and core stability training, to more intensive sport activities such as skiing, running,

cycling and/or even triathlon. All members can find activities that suit their individual

preference and physical fitness.

Transplantoux has become a community that brings people together, where recipients can

share their experiences and act as ambassadors for a healthy lifestyle post-transplantation.

Moreover, Transplantoux also aims to raise awareness and inspires the public to

consider organ donation. All aspects of transplantation are highlighted, both on a

national and international level.

An additional objective of this organisation is to inform transplant professionals

about the health-related benefits of exercise, and to stimulate the government to

invest in new sport and rehabilitation programmes given its societal and health-cost

associated benefits.

Therefore, Transplantoux aims to stimulate and conduct scientific research on the

long-term effects of exercise training following solid organ transplantation.

10th anniversary of Transplantoux

Lucien doubted if he could persue his biking passion following his kidney

transplantation. Transplant surgeon Diethard was charmed by his intention and

enthusiastically challenged him to climb all the way to the summit of the Ventoux and

promised Lucien to join in himself. This was the beginning of a journey… Together with

friends, family, and volunteering paramedics, Lucien and Diethard reached the summit

of the windy mountain in 2008. Transplantoux was born!

Don’t take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here!

15 14

Prof Dr Patrick Calders (10-12-1966) is a biologist/physiologist in the department of

Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy Ghent and has three main research lines.

In a first line he is investigating physical activity and physical fitness, and the effects

of different training modes in patients with chronic disorders (diabetes, obesity,

COPD, chronic heart failure,…).

The second research theme is the presence of autonomic dysbalans/dysfunction in

patients with chronic disorders and the impact on morbidity and mortality.

In a last research line he is focusing on genetic connective tissue disorders, mainly

Ehlers-Danlos and Osteogenesis Imperfecta, on musculoskeletal,

non-muskuloskeletal symptoms and rehabilitation.

At the moment he has 75 A1-publications, with 8 defended and 10 running PhD’s as

(co)supervisor.

• Patrick Calders •G H E N T U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L , B E

Biosketches

17 16

Beatrix Clerckx is physical therapist at the department of Intensive Care of the

University Hospitals Leuven and academic consulent in Rehabilitation Sciences at

the department Rehabilitation Sciences of the KU Leuven Belgium. Her major area

of clinical expertise, education and research is focused on physiotherapy and early

rehabilitation in patients with acute critical illness on the intensive care unit. The

current focus of the research is on the evaluation of clinical tools for assessment of

muscle strength and on the effectiveness of various training methods for respiratory

and limb muscles in these populations.

She is co-author of several publications in national and international journals,

book chapters and books.

• Beatrix Clerckx •U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L S L E U V E N , B E

Profession: clinical exercise physiologist, PhD

Employments: Research Department for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Schön Klinik

Berchtesgadener Land, Schönau am Königssee, Germany. Department for Prevention and

Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Working activities: More than 10 years of experience in treating and exercising with

lung transplant patients. Research activities on various exercise modalities in patients

with severe chronic respiratory diseases including patients following lung transplant.

• Rainer Gloeckl •S C H Ö N K L I N I K B E R C H T E S G A D E N E R L A N D , D E

19 18

Kaatje Goetschalckx works as a cardiologist in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

at the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium since 2007. She completed a Master

in Medical Imaging on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in 2008, and a Master in Sports

Medicine in 2009. She’s a certified sports physician and cardiac rehabilitation

specialist, and became head of the department of Cardiac Rehabilitation and

Prevention in 2009.

She’s a (co-)author of a number of scientific articles in international peer-reviewed

journals and published bookchapters in Cardiac Rehabilitation (Ed. Jonathon T.

Halliday, Nova Publishers, 2010), Clinical Cardiac MRI (Jan Bogaert 2013) and

Advanced Cardiac Imaging (Ed. Koen Nieman, Oliver Gaemperli, Patrizio Lancellotti

and Sven Plein, 2015). She teaches ‘Physiology of Exercise’ in the Master of Sports

Medicine since 2011.

• Kaat Goetschalckx •U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L S L E U V E N , B E

Profession: clinical exercise physiologist, PhD

Employments: Research Department for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Schön Klinik

Berchtesgadener Land, Schönau am Königssee, Germany. Department for Prevention and

Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Working activities: More than 10 years of experience in treating and exercising with

lung transplant patients. Research activities on various exercise modalities in patients

with severe chronic respiratory diseases including patients following lung transplant.

• Sharlene Greenwood •K I N G ’ S C O L L E G E H O S P I T A L , U K

21 20

Peter Hespel is a Professor in Exercise Physiology at KU Leuven, and Scientific

Director of the ‘Bakala Academy’ athletic performance centre. After obtaining his

Ph.D. degree at KU Leuven (1987) he spent a 2-year postdoc at the August Krogh

Institute, University of Copenhagen. He was appointed as a Professor at KU Leuven in

1989 where he has been teaching courses in exercise physiology, sports nutrition, and

endurance training till today.

Peter’s research work has focused on regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism

during exercise, sports nutrition, and altitude/hypoxia training. He has now

published about 175 scientific peer-review papers. He acts as training and nutrition

consultant for the Belgian Olympic Team and the Belgian national soccer team, the

QuickStep pro cycling team, world-class triathletes including Frederik Van Lierde, as

well as the Belgian 4 x 400m relay squad including the three Borlee brothers.

• Peter Hespel •K U L E U V E N , B E

Dr. H.J. (Erik) Hulzebos, PT, MSc, PhD. is a clinical exercise physiologist and sports

physical therapist and assistant professor in clinical health sciences at the University

Children’s Hospital of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Dr. Hulzebos received his P.T. bachelor at the University of Applied Science in Utrecht in

1991. He received his M.Sc. in Exercise Physiology from the Faculty of Health Sciences of

the University Maastricht in 1998. He received his Ph.D. from the Faculty of Medicine of

Utrecht University in 2006.

His main research and clinical interest is clinical (Pediatric) exercise physiology. He

performed studies in many clinical populations including children and adults with

cardio-respiratory disease. Dr. Hulzebos published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and

authored 5 books. He is member of the American College of Sports Medicine (Registered

Clinical Exercise Physiologist), European Pediatric Work Physiology, European Cystic

Fibrosis Society and ECFS Working group “Exercise in patients with Cystic Fibrosis” and

reviewer of different journals.

• Erik Hulzebos •U N I V E R S I T Y M E D I C A L C E N T E R U T R E C H T, N L

23 22

Evi Masschelein studied Human Movement Sciences at the University of Leuven (KU

Leuven) and received her Master degree in 2009. After her studies, she started a

PhD in the Exercise and Physiology research group in Leuven. Her research focused

on nutritional supplements to improve exercise performance and inter-individual

cardiovascular and muscular adaptations to high-altitude hypoxia. After finishing her

PhD, she worked in the University Hospitals of Leuven for the Transplantoux project

studying the effect of individualized high-intensity exercise training in solid organ

transplant recipients on exercise capacity. Currently she is working in the Laboratory

of Exercise and Health at ETH Zürich. Her research concentrates on studying the

underlying molecular mechanism of muscle memory. Understanding how muscle

mass is regulated on a molecular level may provide new therapeutic agents for the

prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy.

• Evi Masschelein •E T H Z U R I C H , C H

Diethard MONBALIU (°Oostende, Belgium in 1971) obtained the M.D. and Ph.D degrees

at Leuven University, Belgium in 1996 and 2007, respectively. He received his board

certification in Surgery in 2002 and UEMS certification in abdominal transplant

surgery in 2009 (modules procurement, liver-, pancreas- and kidney transplantation).

He currently works as an abdominal transplant surgeon at the University Hospitals

Leuven, and is associate professor at the Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

His current research and scientific interest focuses on liver transplantation from

donation after circulatory death donors, machine perfusion preservation, modulation

of ischemia/reperfusion injury, peritoneal dialysis access and physical exercise after

transplantation. He is a Senior Clinical researcher granted by the Research foundation

Flanders (FWO) since 2015. He is president of the Belgian Organ Procurement

Committee (BeOPC), He is a regular faculty member at the Hesperis course organized

by ESOT and the European Peritoneal Dialysis University within ISPD. He is the founder

and president of Transplantoux, a foundation that raises awareness regarding organ

donation, and that motivates transplant recipients to sport and live a healthy life.

• Diethard Monbaliu •U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L S L E U V E N , B E

25 24

Dr. Alessandro Nanni Costa, M.D. got a degree in Medicine at Bologna University, and

masters in Nephrology and Immunology. He has been working in the transplantation

field since 1980 and in early 2000, he was appointed as Director General of the

Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT). As Director General of the Italian National

Organization of Transplants Dr Nanni Costa manages the quality and safety of

programs of organ transplantation, tissue and cells transplantation, tissue and

cell banking, assisted reproductive technologies, education for donation and

transplantation, public information for transplantation, transplant IT system.

Author of more than 300 publications and scientific papers Dr Nanni Costa

coordinated since 2003 several national and EU-funded projects, Joint Actions and

bid for tenders on organ, tissues and cells donation and transplantation issues, he

was nominated as National expert for the EU Directive 2004/23 on the use of Tissues

and cells of human origins and Directive 2010/53 on quality and safety of human

organs for transplantation.

• Alessandro Nanni Costa •N A T I O N A L I T A L I A N T R A N S P L A N T C E N T R E , I T

Sandra Oeyen was born in Antwerp in January 1970. She studied medicine at the

Ghent University and graduated in 1995. After her training in anesthesiology at

the Ghent University Hospital in 2000, she continued her education and training

in critical care medicine at the same hospital. Since September 2001, she works as

fulltime staff member at the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the Ghent University

Hospital. She has a particular interest in long-term outcomes and quality of life of

critically ill patients and is involved in the long-term follow-up of these patients.

When she is not at work she loves cycling, especially in the mountains. She is

convinced that regular physical activity and exercise can improve physical recovery,

self- perceived health status and quality of life.

• Sandra Oeyen •G H E N T U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L , B E

27 26

Mathias Ried-Larsen holds a PhD degree in epidemiology from the University of

Southern Denmark. He is currently a group leader and the coordinator of Applied

Research program at Centre for Physical Activity Research at Rigshospitalet,

Denmark. It is well-known that exercise lowers blood-glucose in type 2 diabetes

patients. However, the evidence to support that exercise has an effect on the

risk of complication in type 2 diabetes is scarce. This represents a challenge

when discussing whether exercise is in fact medicine in the clinical care of type 2

diabetes. My research interests are thus focused on investigating to what extend

exercise is comparable to medicine. That implies developing applied exercise and

lifestyle interventions for the primary care.

• Mathias Ried-Larsen •C E N T R E F O R P H Y S I C A L A C T I V I T Y R E S E A R C H ,

C O P E N H A G E N U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L , D KChris is the President of the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) which is on a

mission to get the world’s transplant population fitter and healthier. As President he

oversees the staging of the World Transplant Summer and Winter Games. From these

traditional events, the WTGF is branching out to activities that meet the mission of

‘more transplant recipients, more active, more often’.

In 2016 the WTGF introduced a worldwide Fit for Life! Program to encourage

recipients of all ages and ability to start a program of fitness and rehabilitation. A

highlight of the program was the staging in 2017 of the Billion Step Challenge which

received the Sustainability Award at the 25th World Congress of The Association for

International Sports for all.

Chris has spent the last 11 years as the CEO of Transplant Australia, a national charity

promoting organ and tissue donation. He has a background in medical journalism,

marketing and communications. In 2014 he completed a solo bicycle ride across

Australia over 45 days covering 4,335km.

• Chris Thomas •W O R L D T R A N S P L A N T G A M E S F E D E R A T I O N , A U

29 28

Thierry Troosters is a physiotherapist and Professor at the department of

Rehabilitation Sciences of the KU Leuven. His research interests are the non-

respiratory consequences of pulmonary diseases and rehabilitation of patients

with respiratory disorders and patients after lung transplantation. For more than

a decade his research group investigates the impact of lack of physical activity in

patients with respiratory diseases and after transplantation as well as strategies

to enhance physical activity. Prof Troosters has led an international consortium

of researchers from academia and the pharmaceutical industries to develop

instruments capturing physical activity experience in patients with lung diseases

(PROactive tools). Prof Troosters is a fellow of the European Respiratory Society

and is currently the Vice president of that international Society.

• Thierry Troosters •K U L E U V E N , B E

Edwin van Adrichem was born on the 20th of May 1983 in Delft, the Netherlands.

He completed his master studies in Human Movement Sciences in 2005. Subsequently,

he participated in the accelerated program of the bachelor education physical therapy

at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences where he received his Bachelor degree in

2008. After his studies, he started working as a physical therapist at the University

Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. In 2013 he started his PhD research and

training. The defense of his thesis was in 2017. Since 2014 he is board member of the

European Transplant Allied Healthcare Professionals, the care group of the European

Society of Organ Transplantation. Currently, he is employed at the department of

Rehabilitation Medicine of the University Medical Center Groningen.

• Edwin van Adrichem •U N I V E R S I T Y M E D I C A L C E N T E R G R O N I N G E N , N L

31 30

My name is Bas van den Hoven, born with Cystic Fibrosis in 1977. CF was diagnosed

9 months after my birth. After a youth full of lung infection problems I had to have

a double lungtransplantation in march 2004. Before my lungtransplantation I was

very structured and ambitious in my training for sports because I wanted to do

everything to keep myself in good physical condition. I recovered rapidly after my

surgery, maybe also because of my good physical state, and I started to use all of

my new born energy to focus on sports like rowing, cycling and running. Result was

that I competed in 5 World Transplant Games until this moment, with several medals

as result. Meanwhile I also started my own bike messenger company, which combined

sports and work. At this moment I am a cyclist in a competition based cycling team

in my hometown who ride criteriums and cyclocross races. The main reason why I

train as much and structured as I do is because when I left the hospital about 14

years ago I promised myself that I would do everything to avoid getting back there.

To achieve this goal I live as healthy as I can with sports and food, and that’s why

my motto in life truly is ‘Exercise is Medicine’.

• Bas van den Hoven •N L

Jonas has always been driven by his passion for exercise and sport. After his

graduation as Master of Science in Physical Education and Movements Sciences,

Jonas worked as an exercise physiologist in ‘Topsport ABC’ and ‘Bakala Academy’

for about 8 years. Through his experience, Jonas developed his skills as a trainer

of both recreational and elite athletes. Nowadays, Jonas applies his knowledge to

transplant recipients, guiding them in their journey from physically unfit patients to

well-trained ‘athletes’ capable of realising their personal performance goals. Whether

this is finishing a 5 km walk or conquering a medal at the World Transplant Games, his

enthusiastic approach is contagious and brings out the best in everyone he works with.

• Jonas Vanbekbergen •T R A N S P L A N T O U X , B E

33

Notes

35 34

Main Exhibitor

Exhibitors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Sponsor of the Coffee Break Sponsor of the Wifi Sponsor of the Lunch

Transplantoux Symposium Secretariat

transplantoux-symposium2018.com

transplantoux.be

+32 16 211 394 transplantoux@seauton-international.com

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