The EHFA Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) chaired by Prof Van Mechelen and attended by Prof Collin Borenham, Prof Alfonso Jimènez and the EHFA Executive team, met for the first time in Essen on 21 April 2009.

The Scientific Advisory Board has a vocation to be independent according to the structural organisation of EHFA, and it has been given the following mandate by the Board of EHFA:

• To assist EHFA and its specific working groups in their strategy from an academic point of view.
• To bring to EHFA the latest greatest research information in the field of Physical Activity and Health through Policy Reports in the public domain.
• To provide EHFA with links to research in the field of Physical Activity and to notify EHFA of relevant research developments, meetings and congresses.

The outcome of the kick-off meeting has been extremely positive. Beyond the fact that it has enabled every participant to better understand the activities and areas of competencies of one another, the meeting has above all enabled to clarify the missions of the SAB as well as it has been a receptacle of series of ideas that will be highly beneficial for the future projects that will be carried out by EHFA. The SAB has underlined that it is now very important for EHFA to acquire solid and reliable research information in order to better target, implement, and influence policies at the EU level, as well as to be in a better position to convey important messages towards the individual Member States. 

Given the high-profile of the participants, EHFA is more than confident that the SAB will be a dynamic source of tangible information and support for the future. 

Industry leaders representing facilities in 14 countries from across the European Union came together for a 3 day conference which considered the future development of the European Health and Fitness industry.

The European Leadership Forum, 22-24 June 2009, was an initiative coordinated by EHFA, the European Health & Fitness Association and conducted by Professor Cyril Bouquet from IMD, the world’s leading business school from Lausanne Switzerland.

Sponsoring partner Deloitte joined CEOs from 17 operators including Aspria, Curves, David Lloyd, Fitness First, Fit4Free, Health City, High Five Health Promotion, Holmes Place, LA Fitness, Nuffield Health, Optisport, SATS/Spenst, Solinca, Sportcity and Vivafit.

The group participated in a number of thought provoking case studies from outside the fitness industry, ranging from airlines, wine and watch industries to entertainment (Cirque du Soleil).  A number of valuable contributions were made by speakers from within the group on how the health sector and our fitness sector could complement one another.

Some interesting business exercises were facilitated by Prof Bouquet which gave some valuable insights on business development and business success in a competitive environment.

The need to join forces across Europe and to build lasting infrastructures to facilitate the growth of the fitness industry was debated, such as the European Register of Exercise Professionals, market research, data collection and benchmarking – measures that would put the fitness industry in a similar position to other mature sectors.

Participants discussed the need for strong representative bodies such as EHFA to look after the industry's interest in Brussels.

All agreed this 1^st event should be followed in October this year with a second get together in Brussels to follow up on the action steps taken during the meeting in Santpoort in June.

In a spirit of cooperation to grow the industry and clarify the roles of IHRSA and EHFA, in the European health and fitness industry, Harm Tegelaars, President of EHFA and Joe Moore, President of IHRSA met on 29^th June 2009 to sign an agreement.

In a joint statement, Joe Moore, President, IHRSA and Harm Tegelaars, President, EHFA said:

“We are experiencing a worldwide epidemic of obesity and a host of chronic and life-threatening diseases that could be eliminated or controlled through regular exercise. The health and fitness industry can and should play a pivotal role in improving the health of all Europeans. We are uniquely positioned to provide the public with the facilities and personal support they need to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

In order for the industry to take its rightful place in the healthcare sector, we must engage governments, the media and the healthcare community at all levels – local, national, EU, and global. This is no small task and will require commitment, effort and action from all stakeholders in the industry to make this happen."

Among the key points of the agreement:

• EHFA acknowledges IHRSA as the Global Federation which acts as an umbrella to EHFA and national federations.
• IHRSA acknowledges the role that EHFA plays in public policy as the primary representative body of the European health and fitness industry to the institutions of European governance, with IHRSA playing a supporting role.
• EHFA will cooperate with IHRSA to actively influence public policy discussions at global organisations (e.g., WHO, OECD), wherever they are based, when those discussions impact the health and fitness industry.
• EHFA recognises that IHRSA will continue to provide support and advice on best practices to IHRSA’s national strategic partners, member federations and other members on all aspects of the health club business.
• IHRSA supports the concept of EHFA’s development of a European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS).

The agreement also acknowledges that each organisation may hold different positions on individual issues and will, in those cases, act in the best interests of its stakeholders.  More on IHRSA here.