MOVE HEALTHY: IMPROVING HEALTH AND SUSTAINING PARTICIPATION OF YOUNGSTERS IN SPORTS AROUND EUROPE

Background Sport injuries are a major reason for reduced participation and drop-out from sports and Physical Education (PE). Refraining from sport participation has negative bearing effects on mental and physical well-being, which tracks into adulthood. It is therefore important for youth to be facilitated into lifelong active participation in physical activity and sport, as the importance of physical activity for the health of youth is undisputed. Participation in PE classes and membership of sports clubs Objectives Through the development and enhancement of the motor behavior of youth, their motor skills and performance will be improved and the risk of sport injuries will be reduced. When achieving this, youth will be able to enjoy lifelong, healthy sports participation. To facilitate optimal implementation into their sports training or PE sessions, fun, challenging and context specific routines will be developed with the end-users and offered through an open access web platform. Implementation All project activities were covered by ten work packages which on a generic level were divided in three stages: 1) preparation, 2) implementation and 3) sustainability. Unique element of Move Healthy was that work packages like monitoring, validation and development of routines were carried out in co-creation with professionals from PE and COACHING sector. Alongside the total range of the project processes of management, monitoring, evaluation and valorization had full attention. Achievements 1) Mapping & analytic scope report with benchmarks guidelines and recommendations towards injury prevention; 2) (Holistic) Educational concept report with guidelines and recommendations for PE and COACHING; 3) Pedagogical materials with exercise routines, instructions and video scripts co-created with professionals; 4) Educational videos for PE (2 age levels) and COACHING (basketball and football); 5) Learning platform (open access) including videos and guidelines validated by professionals.