FIBO mobilizes against lack of exercise

Under the motto “for a strong and healthy society”, the world's most important trade fair for fitness, wellness and health is
expanding its range for medical professional groups and institutions such as doctors and clinics. Together with “Exercise is
Medicine”, EuropeActive and the European Health & Fitness Forum, the BSA Academy and the German College for
Prevention & Health, associations, sports doctors and trade media, FIBO is substantially developing the already existing trend
of health-oriented fitness training. 

“A new thrust is currently emerging that opens up new highly exciting opportunities for patients, but also for the fitness industry and the health
sector”, explains FIBO Director Silke Frank. She observes an increasing awareness that exercise can actually be medicine: “The motivation to
seriously and soundly implement exercise in medical treatment – i. e. outside sports medicine, rehabilitation and prevention – is growing.” 

This is a success that is being publicized internationally by research and initiatives. Studies show that measures to increase physical activity
in the population urgently need to be expanded. [1] Because: the clear recommendations of the World Health Organization WHO [2] are only
insufficiently implemented by doctors and patients. The proportion of patients who are regularly physically active is still alarmingly low [3] – as is
the proportion of doctors who prescribe physical exercise that is beneficial to health.

“Several data show that exercise is underestimated by doctors and only between five and ten percent of patients are asked by their doctor about
physical activity in their life and activity,” Professor Steinacker, Chairman of Exercise is Medicine, digs out.  The specialist for internal medicine and
cardiology, sports medicine and rehabilitation, as well as medical director of sports and rehabilitation medicine Ulm demands: “We have to
emphasize that this is an important topic in the whole field of medicine.” 
 

The “European Initiative for Exercise in Medicine e.V.” as well as “Exercise is Medicine Deutschland e.V.” together with EuropeActive and the
German Society for Sport and Prevention (DGSP) want to campaign for more physical activity in the population at FIBO. To this end, they invite
you to the second “Exercise is Medicine Day” on 14 April at the “Meeting point Health” in Hall 8.

FIBO Product Manager Anke Brendt reveals what the focus of the practice- and application-oriented specialist programme will be: “Studio
operators, physiotherapists and sports physicians in particular can look forward to well-founded, scientific findings that they can implement
directly in their professional practice.” In particular, the “Exercise is Medicine” chairmen Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Bloch, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Steinacker
and Dr. Thomas Schramm, among others, will be addressing the topics of “Active Cities”, “Exercise in Old Age” and “Long Covid”.