The former GDR was known for comprehensive research activities and modern training me-thods, leading athletes to top rankings in the international sport repeatedly. Similar high targets are set for some small and medium-sized companies in Leipzig and Magdeburg: Today, their training tools and diagnostic systems are successful market leaders.
Beginning in the early 80s, Gerhard Richter was developing a special ergometer: In contrary to standard devices, it allows to integrate the "real", individual bike of professional sportsmen. Training loads and bike parameters are managed by a compact-sized generator. As his son Jens Richter started later with his own electronic company in Leipzig, he had to handle an unexpected heritage: "The old devices were spread around the world, and appreciated by the users. There were continual requirements in support, and also a demand for new models. Finally we realized the Cyclus2 - based on latest technologies like PDA-panel and connec-tions to analyzers and PC, it became much more than a niche product: It's a real bestseller!"
Ralf Henker, co-founder of the CORTEX Biophysik GmbH in Leipzig has also a sports-related biography. Combining it with the knowledge of German engineering, his company developed the first portable device for respiration analysis, the X1 (renamed in MetaMax). Opening a range of new applications and diagnostic options, frequent product improvements, new stationary systems, own software tools and ECG-interfaces made CORTEX to a serious competitor in the growing market for ergospirometry.
A further innovation from Leipzig is the Lactate SCOUT handheld analyzer. Easy to use like a modern glucose meter, it established the benefits of lactate diagnostics also in amateur and leisure sports as well as in medical prevention. Developed by the SensLab GmbH, Leipzig, the worldwide distribution is organized by the main shareholder, the EKF-diagnostic GmbH in Barleben/Magdeburg. A perfect combination: EKF is also the manufacturer of the very popular, high quality BIOSEN analyzers for professional glucose and lactate analysis.
Cooperation is the key for all these companies: "The customer takes good quality of products and service for granted", explains Berthold Walter, CEO of the EKF-diagnostic GmbH. "Above that, in sports medicine matters the seamless integration of the installed devices: Bike ergometer, respiration analysis, lactate diagnostic and training software have to work hand in hand. Technology has to work and to communicate behind the scenes, and we have to realize it perfectly, together with our partners. This leads to high featured products and significant advantages for our customers. The market recognizes it, and we're all highly moti-vated to work for best-fitting solutions also in future."
From 24th to 27th junes CORTEX, EKF and RBM are presenting their portfolio on the annual European Congress of Sports Science (ECSS) in Oslo.
Beginning in the early 80s, Gerhard Richter was developing a special ergometer: In contrary to standard devices, it allows to integrate the "real", individual bike of professional sportsmen. Training loads and bike parameters are managed by a compact-sized generator. As his son Jens Richter started later with his own electronic company in Leipzig, he had to handle an unexpected heritage: "The old devices were spread around the world, and appreciated by the users. There were continual requirements in support, and also a demand for new models. Finally we realized the Cyclus2 - based on latest technologies like PDA-panel and connec-tions to analyzers and PC, it became much more than a niche product: It's a real bestseller!"
Ralf Henker, co-founder of the CORTEX Biophysik GmbH in Leipzig has also a sports-related biography. Combining it with the knowledge of German engineering, his company developed the first portable device for respiration analysis, the X1 (renamed in MetaMax). Opening a range of new applications and diagnostic options, frequent product improvements, new stationary systems, own software tools and ECG-interfaces made CORTEX to a serious competitor in the growing market for ergospirometry.
A further innovation from Leipzig is the Lactate SCOUT handheld analyzer. Easy to use like a modern glucose meter, it established the benefits of lactate diagnostics also in amateur and leisure sports as well as in medical prevention. Developed by the SensLab GmbH, Leipzig, the worldwide distribution is organized by the main shareholder, the EKF-diagnostic GmbH in Barleben/Magdeburg. A perfect combination: EKF is also the manufacturer of the very popular, high quality BIOSEN analyzers for professional glucose and lactate analysis.
Cooperation is the key for all these companies: "The customer takes good quality of products and service for granted", explains Berthold Walter, CEO of the EKF-diagnostic GmbH. "Above that, in sports medicine matters the seamless integration of the installed devices: Bike ergometer, respiration analysis, lactate diagnostic and training software have to work hand in hand. Technology has to work and to communicate behind the scenes, and we have to realize it perfectly, together with our partners. This leads to high featured products and significant advantages for our customers. The market recognizes it, and we're all highly moti-vated to work for best-fitting solutions also in future."
From 24th to 27th junes CORTEX, EKF and RBM are presenting their portfolio on the annual European Congress of Sports Science (ECSS) in Oslo.
