This paper outlines the state of play of European demographics, characterised by a rapidly ageing population. It then explores the concept of ‘Active Ageing’ and the role the fitness and physical activity sector can play to support healthy lifestyles for elderly Europeans.
The European Green Deal has been placed at the heart of EU policymaking and ambitions to make Europe “a climate neutral continent by 2050”, pushing the sports industry to adopt more environmentally friendly governance and regulations, and influencing the European fitness and physical activity sector to take responsibility in green and sustainable issues.
This information paper looks at the current pressing challenges in the areas of education, training and skills in Europe, and the European Commission ambitions to address them through the European Skills Agenda, before tackling those issues specifically for the Fitness and Physical Activity Sector.
The European Fitness and Physical Activity Sector serves 55 million consumers, generates 18.9 billion Euro in revenues, consists of 62,775 facilities and employs over 750,000 people. Fitness is the largest participation sport and plays a major role in making a more active and healthier Europe. This information paper looks at the work done by EuropeActive to promote the European Fitness and Physical Activity Sector in the sectoral skills policy context.
The number of obese people has nearly tripled in the world since 1975, with over 650 million people now classified as obese. Obesity is a chronic disease defined by the World Health Organisation as an excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Yet, it is a preventable disease, including through regular physical activity.
Anti-doping work has traditionally focused on the detection and prevention of doping in elite and competitive sport, notably via National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs). In recent years however, it has become generally recognised that doping may be becoming a serious societal and public health threat as it spreads into recreational sport and physical activity.
Physical inactivity levels are reaching all-time highs across Europe, which is concerning for individuals, communities, countries, and the European Union. Since 2009, the EU gained competences to promote sport and physical activity, which prompted the European Week of Sport campaign.
With over 62,000 facilities and 27 billion Euros of annual revenues, the European health and fitness sector is a significant contributor to taxation revenue across the EU. In regard to rates of VAT applied to our sector across the EU, three central points are worth considering.
Directly or indirectly, every European is affected by the devastating impact of someone with cancer. The disease not only causes immeasurable pain for the individual and the families touched by it, but it is also negatively impacting our society at large. It is well understood that physical activity can play a crucial role in preventing cancer, in improving cancer treatment, and for cancer recovery and increasing the quality of life of survivors.
The fourth Work Plan for Sport for 2021-2024 , running from 1 January 2021 till 30 June 2024, focuses on antidoping and innovation, while also stressing the importance of physical activity for citizens’ health and wellbeing.
