Promoting and Supporting Health & WellBeing of your employees
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What We Do

Healthy Sports Organisations is a Swiss Association.

We assess and subsequently support Sports Organisations with the aim of improving the health and wellness of their employees through physical activity. 

We use an objective certification system and offer tailor-made programmes to validate and maintain a “healthy workplace”.

The aim is to generate tangible health benefits for the Sports Organisations and their employees and to create new synergies both internally between colleagues and within the organisation as a whole and externally across other Sports Organisations by establishing a network of HSO Ambassadors in the International Sports Ecosystem.

Benefits of joining the initiative

Our Values

Sport as a tool for health, wellbeing and connectivity

Authentic & Transparent

Team Spirit

Diversity & Inclusion

The Modern Work Environment

Developing a holistic approach for employees and expanding beyond core goals.

Process to become Certified

Project purpose

There has not been any research or projects undertaken concerning the health initiatives undertaken by Sports Organisations for their own employees.

Lack of resources dedicated to the health and wellbeing of people returning to work after the COVID pandemic in Sports Organisations and the unique environment that these organisations operate in. 

Discord between sports organisations and having active and healthy people working for them. Sports Organisations have the potential to lead by example.

To help Sports Organisations tackle burnout and fatigue amongst their employees.

Significant travel to meetings and events across the globe. Maintaining a healthy routine (mental health, physical health) is often a challenge for employees.

Sports Organisations employees tend to be passionate about sport and have a sports background but face challenges in having the time to practice sport themselves due to their work obligations. 

Research backed approach

Physical activity in organisations

Study 1: Workplace physical activity interventions have proven to be effective. 

Study 2: Performing physical exercise together with colleagues at the workplace prevents deterioration of work ability.

Study 3: Recommendations should focus on the key determinants of healthy lifestyle behaviors rather than simply health outcomes. 

Study 4: Physical activity promotion strategies at the organisational-level are more sustainable than at the individual- level.

Association between physical activity and burnout

Study 1: This systematic review suggests that physical activity constitutes an effective form for the reduction of burnout. 

Study 2: Researchers have emphasised the role of physical activity in accelerating recovery from stress. 

Testimonials

Maria Byrne
Maria ByrneDirector of Human Resources
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The HSO Survey has been very useful to understand what our employees’ health situation and needs are, and we also realised that the employees appreciated being asked about their approach to health and fitness. It allowed us to demonstrate that the health and wellbeing of our employees is a priority for our organisation. The support of the HSO team during the process was outstanding and we can only recommend it to other Sports Organisations.
James Carr
James CarrExecutive Director
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Going through the HSO Survey and the HSO Audit processes has been a very positive experience. The audit is managed directly by HSO so it was easy to do and did not require additional resources. The results demonstrated that making small, thoughtful changes can often really lead to tangible benefits for the health and wellbeing of the employees. We are grateful for HSO’s work.
Mélanie Duparc
Mélanie Duparc Secretary General
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As optional services, HSO provides as part of the physical team workout the Ice Breaker Warm-up. We have chosen this option several years during the Smart Cities and Sport Summit. This short work out (approximately 5 minutes) removes inhibitions among the participants and spreads positive vibes throughout the room before we start the presentations and panel discussion. We strongly recommend it and the message is clear, we care about the health of our participants. Let’s move!
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F.A.Q.

Frequently asked questions
More information

No. The methodology was designed for small, medium and large organisations.In order to see the full impact of the analysis, sufficient underlying data is required. The methodology is designed to adapt to all sizes of organisation.

Once initially certified, Organisations can be re-certified at a higher level depending on the results of a further Organisation Audit.

Improving the health of the employees in an organisation is an ongoing process. The certification system is designed to help organisations develop along that journey and to give a overview of the current reality. By requiring a recertification after two years, the organisation has time to implement the action plan and should see impact. The recertification requirement ensures that the certification signals the current status of Healthy Sports Organisation, and is not a one-off achievement. It also demonstrates an organization’s ongoing commitment to the improve the health of the employees.

The Healthy Sports Organisation methodology was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Granada, Spain in July 2022. The pilot project of Healthy Sports Organisations has been carried out with the Organisation and the employees of ASOIF. 

The Certification is validated by the Healthy Sports Organisations Association and the University of Granada: Research Group HUM -473 Biological Assessment of Sports Training”.

The whole process is put in place and analysed by the Healthy Sports Organisation team who is combined by a team of Physical and Mental Health experts (Medical Doctor, Sports Scientist, Sport Psychologist all attached to their respective Universities). Certification Process is overseen by the Independent Advisory Board.

The Organisation Audit only takes one hour and a half. It is done by the Healthy Sports Organisations team. It Includes the review of all the documents, the Audit reporting, and certification granting, and depending on the chosen scope of Certification and the complexity of the certifying organisation. The results of the Organisation Audit may take between 6 -10 days.

The Survey will take between 15 to 20 minutes

This is up to the Organisation; we recommend that the survey is conducted every 4 years in order to track progress and employee attitude towards health. 

In order to have scientifically valid results, a minimum of 50% of employees must respond to the survey. The required response rate will also depend on whether the analysis is conducted on a  departmental/branch basis or for the whole organisation.

It will depend on each organisation’s needs and availability. It is recommended that there is a maximum gap of 12 months between carrying out the Survey and the Audit. 

It will depend on the organisation’s motivation to obtain certification. It can take as little as 3 months if the organisation is being active in the area or up to 12 months if the organisation wants to go through the procedure gradually.

Yes, it is possible, in the case of having different office/branch locations, the Audit and Survey will be submitted and analysed by location.

Prices are based on size/number of employees and on the complexity of organisation. One of the main values of the project is inclusion of smaller organisations. Therefore, HSO tailors is pricing accordingly. 

The HSO Ambassador is appointed by the Sport Organisation and represents the Organisation – more details here.

Joining the HSO initiative upon payment of an annual fee can be a first step for some Sports Organisations. Joining the HSO initiative gives the following benefits:

  • Entry to the programme
  • Invitation to the HSO Ambassador Seminar/Workshop
  • Designated HSO Ambassador
  • Promotion on our website and other promotion.

Joining the initiative is contingent on the Organisation having signed up for one of the services.

Becoming a Certified HSO demonstrates and confirms the Organisation’s commitment and the level (Certified, Achieve, Perform, or Excel) that the Sport Organisation provides for the health and wellbeing of its employees. It also objectively verifies the Organisation’s goal of maintaining a healthy workplace.

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Excel

The Excel level is our highest certification level, showing that an organisation has demonstrated excellence in every single one of the five criteria sections of the Healthy Sports Organisations Audit. This level is for organisations that lead and have the highest commitment to the wellbeing and health of their employees.

To obtain Excel the organisation must have at least 90% of the points available in each section of the Audit criteria.

To remain certified at the Excel level, organisations must demonstrate continued alignment with the five criteria sections of the Healthy Sports Organisations Audit over a period of time.

Perform

At the Perform level, the organisation must demonstrate high performance across the 5 criteria sections of the Healthy Sports Organisations Audit. 

At the Perform level, the organisation commits will have implemented or are in the process of implementing an impactful action plan.

To obtain Perform the organisation must have at least 80% of the points available in each section of the Audit criteria.

Achieve

At the Achieve level, the organisation must demonstrate its progress across the 5 criteria sections of the Healthy Sports Organisations Audit. 

The Achieve level is for organisations that are already committed to the health of their employees but still want to improve. 

To obtain Achieve the organisation must have at least 70% of the points available in each section of the Audit criteria.

Certified

Certified is the certification level for organisations who are starting to think about their Health work place strategy. It’s all about recognising commitment to change and providing an organisation with solid baselines and benchmarks to accurately measure progress.

To become Certified the organisation has to have at least 50% of the points available in each section of the Audit criteria.

Certified organisations can re-certify and remain at the Certified level for a maximum of 8 years. To remain Certified after this period, organisations must progress to a higher level of certification.