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Download the practical WHO guide for employers.
Aktivní Září Has Begun: Experience It with Us in Motion, Health, and Mental Well-being
Under the patronage of the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, Miloš Vystrčil, we, together with other members of the Aktivní Česko Foundation, officially launched the nationwide campaign Aktivní září on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The goal of this campaign, as every year, is to highlight the importance and positive impact of sports and physical activities, which should be a natural part of everyone’s life. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Eurobarometer survey – Sport and Physical Activity (2022), 45% of the European Union population does not engage in any physical activity. Additionally, 44% of Europeans spend up to 5.5 hours a day sitting, which is detrimental to health. Similar findings were highlighted in our MultiSport Index: Češi a sport, which annually tracks the relationship between Czechs and sports.
Press Conference on Wheels in Valdštejnská Garden
The official event to kick off the campaign took place on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Valdštejnská Garden in Prague, where a unique press conference was held with the project’s ambassadors and key personalities supporting the initiative. In addition to Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, participants included the First Vice President of the Senate Jiří Drahoš, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce and President of the Czech Fitness Chamber Jana Havrdová, President of the National Sports Agency Ondřej Šebek, and the freshly crowned Olympic canoeing champion Josef Dostál.
During the press conference, not only did these figures tirelessly answer media questions, but they also cycled on spinning bikes or ran on treadmills. Their discussions emphasized the importance of promoting physical activity in society, as an active lifestyle is a crucial preventative measure against health issues and diseases, especially in older age.
Sports as a Political Priority
“It is essential that sports and physical activity become a political priority,” stated Jana Havrdová during the press conference. “It is not a great reflection on the Czech Republic that we need to organize events like Active September at all. Let’s do everything we can to ensure that physical activity becomes part of not just one month, but the entire year for everyone,” Senate President Miloš Vystrčil said during his more than half-hour-long run. The ambassadors also acknowledged the irreplaceable role of coaches in guiding children and youth towards sports.
After the press conference, a full-day program of group exercise classes, workshops, and other activities, organized with the help of nonprofit organizations such as the National Institute of Public Health, the Czech Sokol Organization, and the Czech Tourist Club, took place. Throughout the day, participants could also stop by the Aktivní Česko Foundation’s booth, where we happily provided a comprehensive body diagnosis using the InBody device.
Everyone Can Help Solve the Lack of Physical Activity in the Population
Until sports and physical activity become a sufficient political priority for our leaders, we can take responsibility for promoting their importance ourselves. As employers, you have several options.
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Motivate your employees to engage in sports by organizing joint training sessions, fitness classes at the workplace, or collective challenges like “Bike to Work.”
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Invest in the health and well-being of your employees by hosting a Health Day, which we would be happy to tailor for your company or business.
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Enable your employees to exercise regularly at discounted rates with the MultiSport card, giving them access to over 1,900 sports and wellness centers across the Czech Republic.
Healthy and satisfied employees, according to many studies, are happier, more resilient, perform better at work, and foster better relationships not only with colleagues but also with external clients and suppliers. Naturally, this leads to a reduction in absenteeism, accidents, staff turnover, and an increase in loyalty to the employer.
We’re here to help ensure your employees feel better, not just in September.
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