EuropeActive is pleased to announce the completion of its second SafeACTiVE report in partnership with King Juan Carlos University, AWRC-Sheffield Hallam University and ukactive’s Research Institute. The second SafeACTiVE report, which builds on extensive data-collection and analysis by EuropeActive and its academic partners, reveals a low level of COVID-19 risk in the assessed fitness clubs and leisure centres. With more than 185 million visits analysed, the number of reported cases sits at 0.88, which is less than one case per 100.000 visits.
Research and evaluation partners have collected data based on more than 185 million visits to fitness clubs and leisure facilities with only 1,628 reported positive cases (of both members and staff) reported from operators based in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The SafeACTiVE study, commissioned by EuropeActive's Research Centre THINK Active, seeks to mitigate public health concerns (of both users and members), confirm that fitness clubs are safe environments with a relatively low transmission risk of Covid-19 infection, and offer the fitness and physical activity sector a strong argument for keeping fitness and exercise facilities open now that Covid cases are rising and new restrictions and lockdowns are once again being imposed across Europe.
The director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University Prof. Rob Copeland said: "The second SafeACTiVE report presents important data on the contribution that the fitness and leisure sector has made to supporting health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. As COVID-19 continues to cast a long shadow over society, this report provides compelling evidence in support of prioritising physical activity in national policy and ensuring that facilities remain open to help sustain the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals and communities”.
Prof. Alfonso Jimenez, Head of THINK Active, also commented on the report: "Data provided by club operators suggest that fitness clubs and leisure centres, where industry standard mitigation is in place, continue to provide safe public spaces in which to exercise, with very low self-reported cases of COVID-19. We employed robust data collection methods and our findings are consistent with findings from public health sources”.
The second SafeACTiVE report has been made possible thanks to the generous support of 4global, Boddy, BRP Systems, FIBO, Johnson Health Tech/Matrix, Myzone, Perfect Gym Solutions, Schwa-Medico, Sport Alliance, Technogym, Urban Sports Club and Xplor, all being members of EuropeActive’s President’s Council for Suppliers, Digital & Tech.
To access the full report, please visit: