Foresight for the Fitness Sector: Results from a European Delphi Study and Its Relevance in the Time of COVID-19

Louis Moustakas, Anna Szumilewicz, Xian Mayo, Elisabeth Thienemann and Andrew Grant
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Louis Moustakas: Institute for European Sport Development and Leisure Studies, German Sport University, 50933 Cologne, Germany
Anna Szumilewicz: Faculty of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
Xian Mayo: Observatory of Healthy and Active Living of Spain Active Foundation, Centre for Sport Studies, King Juan Carlos University, 28942 Madrid, Spain
Elisabeth Thienemann: Independent Scholar, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Andrew Grant: Independent Consultant, Sunderland SR5 1SN, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: The fitness sector is an essential player in the promotion of physical activity and healthy behaviour in Europe. However, the sector is confronted with numerous socio-demographic trends that will shape its ability to be financially successful and contribute to public health. The sector must understand current drivers of change and the skills its workforce needs to navigate them. As such, using the results of a 2019 Delphi Survey of over 50 fitness experts from 26 countries, we aim to define the drivers of change facing the sector and identify the skills needed by the fitness workforce to navigate these changes. We find that several technological, social, health and economic trends affect the sector. As a result, so-called soft skills such as communication or customer service, along with digital technology skills, are becoming increasingly important. There is also growing recognition that fitness professionals need to be trained to work with a number of special populations. Furthermore, we argue that many of the trends identified here—such as the increasing use of technology or the focus on individual customer needs—have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conclude by arguing that well-developed, pan-European qualifications are needed to address these common issues.

Keywords: fitness; exercise; foresight; delphi study; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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