Movement is one of the most powerful tools in pediatric care, and one of the hardest to inspire when children are facing long hospital stays, intensive treatment, and the physical toll that comes with it. At the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Munich Schwabing, a new approach is turning that challenge into something children genuinely look forward to: MultiBall, an interactive sports wall that gets young patients moving through play.
The system, donated by us, LYMB.iO, as part of its local social commitment, is now part of the hospital's sport therapy, and it has quickly become a favorite with patients, families, and staff alike.
Movement That Feels Like Play
MultiBall turns a wall into an interactive game. Children throw soft balls at targets to play through a wide range of games, using real physical movement rather than a screen and controller. The appeal is immediate, even in a clinical setting.
As Prof. Dr. Julia Hauer, Chief Physician at the children's hospital, describes it, the hospital sees young patients playing at the wall every day, full of joy and sometimes a little out of breath. Very young children pick up a ball and understand instantly what to do. Even teenagers, whose first choice is often a phone or laptop, are drawn into moving more. It is the kind of setting you would not expect to find in a hospital.
Two Ways to Support Patients
The hospital uses MultiBall in two complementary ways.
It is freely available in a big public hallway connecting two buildings of the clinic, so patients, visitors, and staff can play whenever they like. The default MultiBall screensaver video, which activates when no one is playing for a few minutes, makes it easy to understand how to play and get started. The system is even used at night, often by expectant fathers during the waiting hours, and it gives staff a way to take an active break. The hospital curates a specially selected, regularly changing set of games for its players.
During the week, the sport team also runs supervised one-hour sessions, using MultiBall to guide and support patients through targeted sport therapy.
A Measurable Impact From the Start
The response has been striking. In the first weeks alone, patients logged over 180 hours of active play on the wall, a clear sign of how strongly the bright, glowing system draws children in.
The project is led by PD Dr. Sabine Kesting, who heads sport science at the center and integrated MultiBall into patients' daily routines. She emphasizes that movement is essential for healthy development in childhood and adolescence, and that children affected by chronic and rare illnesses are often significantly limited in how much they move. For patients with cancer in particular, who face long inpatient stays and demanding treatment, staying active helps maintain physical fitness, independence, and mobility. Just as importantly, MultiBall brings a sense of fun, a distraction from the ward routine, and a piece of normality, helping children feel free for a few minutes and letting the illness fade into the background.
Beyond therapy, the system also plays a valuable role in prevention, reaching siblings, families, and visitors, and supporting the center's broader sport science work.
Local Commitment, Global Experience
For LYMB.iO, the donation reflects a clear conviction. MultiBall was created to inspire movement through an innovative, visually inviting concept, and to help tackle one of society's biggest challenges.
"We move too little, and that is especially true for children. Our sports wall is already used in many therapy centers worldwide, and it fills us with special joy to now do something good right here in our home city," says Marko Aristides Kern, founder and CEO of LYMB.iO. Munich Schwabing is the first hospital site in Germany to be equipped in this way. "When we can inspire children here in Munich to move and give them a smile during their hospital stay, that is the most beautiful confirmation of our mission."
Interactive Movement for Healthcare Settings
MultiBall is already in use in clinics and healthcare facilities around the world, where its combination of play, movement, and motivation supports therapy, rehabilitation, and patient wellbeing. The installation in Munich Schwabing is a powerful example of what active, joyful movement can bring to a care environment.
Discover how MultiBall works and explore the different options.
