swiss active – the industry association for fitness centres and movement- and health-promoting services – welcomes the new “Exercise is Medicine (EIM)” reference framework as an important step toward embedding physical activity more firmly in the Swiss healthcare system. The framework highlights the scientifically proven importance of regular physical activity and targeted strength training for the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
Physical activity as an integral part of healthcare
The EIM reference framework defines, for the first time, clear processes from assessing physical activity to prescribing structured programmes. Physicians are expected to systematically integrate physical activity into treatment plans and use tools such as the “exercise prescription”.
Fitness centres as key infrastructure – but barely mentioned in the reference framework
According to the Swiss Fitness Industry Key Data Study, one million people in Switzerland regularly use fitness and health centres – a central setting for establishing sustainable movement habits. Nevertheless, quality-assured facilities within the industry are not explicitly mentioned in the reference framework.
swiss active calls for these providers to be formally included in the implementation, including recognised quality labels and clearly defined competency profiles.
Financing remains unclear – swiss active calls for clarification
While the reference framework acknowledges the need for financial incentives, it remains vague on concrete implementation. Preventive physical activity programmes – such as those in quality-certified fitness centres – are rarely reimbursed today.
To ensure that “exercise on prescription” becomes effective, socially responsible models for (partial) financing of medically prescribed physical activity programmes, including strength and fitness training, are necessary.
swiss active’s demands
- Recognition of quality-certified fitness and health centres as key EIM partners
- Binding standards for referrals and “exercise on prescription”
- Concrete financing models that enable (partial) cost coverage
For an effective implementation of Exercise is Medicine
swiss active is ready to contribute its expertise and data to actively help shape the further development of “Exercise is Medicine”. Only through cooperation between healthcare, policymakers, insurers, and the fitness and movement industry can physical activity truly become “medicine” in Switzerland.
