The German Diabetes Association (DDG ), in cooperation with diabetesDE, the IST University of Applied Sciences for Management and the Experten Allianz für Gesundheit e.V., has developed a seal of approval to enable people with diabetes to train safely in German fitness and health studios.
There are currently around 9 million people living with diabetes in Germany, and this figure is expected to rise to around 12 million by 2040. The cost of healthcare for diabetes and its associated diseases amounts to around 21 billion euros annually. Regular physical activity is crucial for improving cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health as well as cognitive and psychosocial function, which is particularly important for people with diabetes.
To ensure safe exercise, the selection of an exercise program must take into account diabetes-related concomitant and secondary diseases as well as numerous factors to avoid metabolic derailment. Fitness and health studios offer an ideal platform for health-oriented strength training, endurance training and coordination and flexibility training, but both those affected and specialist staff currently lack orientation with regard to the growing range of offers on the health and fitness market.
"Transparency, quality and the greatest possible safety are the important pillars of our 'Fit with Diabetes' seal of approval," emphasizes Dr. Stephan Kress, Chairman of the DDG's Diabetes, Sport and Exercise Working Group. To obtain the seal of approval, fitness and health studios must meet certain requirements. In addition to the equipment, effective emergency management, the availability of medical care and, above all, special training for trainers in dealing with diabetes play a decisive role.
A team of experts consisting of doctors and sports scientists from the Diabetes, Sport and Exercise Working Group has developed the list of criteria and the training curriculum. In addition, the initiative is scientifically supported by the Experten Allianz für Gesundheit e.V., an interest group for fitness, training and health providers, and the IST University of Applied Sciences for Management. This ensures that the training opportunities for people with diabetes are continuously improved.
"This unique cooperation between diabetologists, sports scientists and training providers will ensure better quality training opportunities for people with diabetes," says Prof. Dr. Christian Brinkmann, a specialist in diabetes and exercise therapy at the IST University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse, renowned sports scientist and scientific director of the Research Institute for Training in Prevention (FIT-Prävention), is also convinced of the opportunities and possibilities of the seal of approval: "The seal offers the certified training facilities the opportunity to present themselves as training providers with health competence, but also to participate in scientific research projects".
The first public presentation of the seal of approval took place on April 11, 2024 at FIBO. Operators, trainers and those affected have the opportunity to find out more about the seal of approval and the certification process and how they can benefit from it at any time.
Editorial team fitnessmarkt.de
Source and image source: FIBO Global Fitness
Published on: 7 May 2024