The Department of Physical Education and Sport at the University of West Bohemia has a new director

After years at the Faculty of Health Studies, Jitka Marxová took over as head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UTS UWB) on September 1. She wants to promote open communication, new forms of lifelong learning, and motivate to exercise.

You have been working at the Faculty of Health Studies (FZS) for many years – what have you been doing at the University of West Bohemia so far and what experience have you gained from this role?

I have been working at FZS since 2008, where I currently teach future physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Of course, I also supervise bachelor's theses, which has always been very rewarding for me. I enjoy helping students who are advancing in their chosen fields. This experience helps me understand how today's students think and what their approach to studying and life in general is.

What made you apply for the position of director of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport (UTS) and what attracted you most to this new challenge?

Applying for the position of director of UTS was a big challenge. In my previous job, where I worked for several years as a senior physiotherapist at the University Hospital in Pilsen, I gained excellent experience in managing a large number of people and running an organization, and this is exactly the kind of work that still interests me. Here I have the opportunity to apply the experience I have gained so far. I was intrigued by the transformation of the original department into an institute, which opens up further opportunities for development. UTS has a smaller number of employees, which allows for easier communication and a calmer working environment.

What are your priorities and goals that you would like to set or advance at UTS?

After all, I am still at the very beginning of this interesting job opportunity, and my priority will definitely be to carefully familiarize myself with the entire operation of UTS, its employees, and to establish good working relationships. The main goal will then be open communication with employees and the entire management of the University of West Bohemia. I also intend to support the creation of new educational events within the framework of lifelong learning, in which I would like to actively participate myself.

What do sports and exercise mean to you personally, and how do you want to reflect this experience in your new role?

Sports, or rather exercise, are an integral part of my professional life and beyond. I have completed many exercise courses as well as professional courses in various manual techniques. One of the most interesting was definitely a month-long stay in Thailand in 2003, where I studied Thai massage techniques. My favorite activities include yoga, which I have been actively practicing for more than 20 years, and of course walking. Here, it is generally true that every step counts. I would like to reflect this in my new position and thereby motivate not only the employees of the University of West Bohemia. An active approach to life from the perspective of my original profession as a physiotherapist is essential. If something hurts or bothers us, exercise can be the first choice. We only have one health, and it is up to us how actively we approach it.

How specifically would you like to motivate students and employees of the University of West Bohemia to actively participate in sports and physical activities?

Not everyone feels the need to exercise regularly and is content with their "comfortable lifestyle." Students are naturally motivated by credits and a good team spirit. Employees can be motivated by the prospect of good health, less back pain, the good feeling that comes with exercise, and, above all, the prevention of burnout. This is a topic that concerns the entire population these days. One option is to introduce motivational programs and short workshops—for example, exercise as stress prevention, fun challenges, or joint exercise days.

PhDr. Jitka Marxová (*1977) has been working as an assistant at the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen since 2008, where she teaches physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In 2011, she founded a non-state healthcare facility in Pilsen – a private rehabilitation practice. From 2018 to 2025, she worked as a senior physiotherapist in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation at Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň. Since 2024, she has also been studying psychotherapy.