Football to promote health

The promotion of sport and exercise is a key aspect of health goals in Styria and Austria. The health of the people of Styria can be improved with the right nutrition and sufficient exercise. To achieve this goal, an adequate exercise offer should be created for all age groups.

Football motivates thousands of people every week to head to stadiums and local football pitches. Football connects generations and overcomes ethnic and social differences. It increases solidarity and cohesion and the exercise improves health. Football training includes all the elements of fitness training and is therefore ideal for improving the health of the population.

As part of the project, sustainable structures and offers will be created relating to football as a means of boosting health in Styria. This will be achieved through specific training for coaches and training supervisors. Clubs, institutions and companies will be encouraged to offer football to promote health. People of different ages, genders and origins should be able to take part in this fascinating sport without the pressure of performance and competition but rather as a way of improving their own health. The focus will be on enjoying the exercise and football as a game.

Health-promoting football is a form of football training which is free from the pressures of competition and performance. It is all about preventing health risk factors and boosting health resources. The focus is always on enjoying the exercise and football as a game. Coaches need to receive appropriate training to implement these goals.

The free training includes a total of 50 teaching units, 27 theory-based and 23 practical, as well as a demonstration session. 14 coaches have already successfully completed the training.