Employers should bear this in mind when offering company sports programmes.

Company sport is an integral part of many company health promotion programmes (BGF) and offers employees the opportunity to engage in regular physical activity while strengthening the sense of community within the company. Essentially, these are sporting activities that are organised or supported by the employer and usually take place outside of regular working hours. In this article, you will learn how company sports can be sensibly implemented, what benefits they offer and what companies should look out for.

What is company sport and how can health management realise it?

Company sports can include a wide variety of sporting activities that are specifically designed to promote the health of employees and strengthen team spirit within the company. They are implemented in different ways, depending on the size and structure of the company. Here are some examples of how the OHM can implement this.

• Sports groups and regular courses:
  Many companies organise weekly sports activities such as football, volleyball, yoga or back training. These groups are either led by internal employees or supervised by external trainers. Participation is usually voluntary and offers employees an opportunity to exercise regularly while socialising with colleagues outside of work.
  
• Co-operations with sports clubs or fitness studios:
  Another option is to co-operate with local sports clubs or fitness studios. Companies pay part of the membership fees or offer discounted rates to encourage physical activity outside the company. This option offers employees more flexibility, as they can decide for themselves when and where they want to exercise.
  
• Participation in company runs and sporting events:
  Joint participation in company runs or other sporting events not only promotes physical fitness, but also strengthens the sense of belonging among all employees. Many companies motivate their teams to actively participate in such events through challenges or bonus programmes.
  

• Digital and hybrid offerings:
  For companies with a large number of remote or hybrid employees, digital solutions are a good way to enable these employees to participate. Online fitness courses, virtual running challenges or apps that promote exercise and mindfulness can be easily integrated into everyday life.
  
• Exercise breaks during working hours:
  Shorts, Active breaks during working hours - about 5 to 10-minute movement units such as stretching exercises, mobilisation or light strengthening exercises - can help to prevent tension and increase concentration. These "mini-workouts" can also be combined with digital solutions such as Isa easy to realise.
  
• Outdoor offers and team events:
  Companies can also offer outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling or group walks. This form of exercise in the fresh air not only promotes physical health, but also performance, stress reduction and mental well-being.
  
•  Sports challenges and step competitions:
  Digital tools make it possible to organise step competitions or exercise challenges in which teams or individuals compete against each other. This playful component promotes motivation and increases the willingness to exercise regularly.

Insurance cover and regulations for accidents in company sports

A central aspect of company sport is the Statutory accident insurance. In principle, accidents that occur during company sports are insured - but only if certain criteria are met.

Requirements for accident insurance cover:

• Sport must operational character and thus serve to promote health and togetherness.
• He must Regular and organised take place, e.g. in the form of fixed groups or courses.
• Participation must voluntary but are expressly encouraged by the company management.

Attention:
Accidents that occur on the direct way to or from company sports are also insured. However, the situation is different for competitions or performance-orientated sports - insurance cover does not apply here if the focus is on sporting competition.

Advantages and disadvantages of company sports compared to digital solutions such as Isa

Company sport offers many benefits, but is not equally suitable for all employees. A comparison with other options such as gyms and digital health solutions such as Isa shows the respective strengths and weaknesses:

Advantages of company sports:

1. Promotion of team spirit: Group sport strengthens the sense of community and improves teamwork.
2. Motivation through social dynamics: Joint sporting activities increase motivation and help you to keep at it regularly.
3. Cost-effective realisation: Company sport is usually cheaper than gym memberships or external programmes.

 Disadvantages of company sports:

1. Low flexibility: Fixed training times do not always fit into employees' everyday lives, especially when they work shifts or from home.
2. Limited variety of offers: Not all employees have the same sporting interests - football or volleyball do not appeal to every target group.
3. Risk of injury: There is a higher risk of injury in intensive sports such as football or basketball.

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Isa - The digital solution for flexible BGM

Isa offers a modern and innovative alternative to Flexible, customised and digital health services for employees. Companies can offer a wide range of training opportunities with Isa - and that Independent of time and place.

Advantages of Isa:

• Maximum flexibility: Employees can use the services at any time and from any location - perfect for hybrid working models and remote teams.
• Diverse offer: Isa not only covers physical fitness, but also offers programmes on ergonomics, occupational safety and drinking behaviour.
• Individual customisation: Employees themselves choose which content is most suitable for them - which increases long-term utilisation and motivation.
• Simple integration into the BGM: Isa can be easily integrated into existing health programmes and ideally complements traditional measures such as company sports.
• Measurable results: Companies gain valuable insights into the utilisation and effectiveness of the offerings, which enables targeted further development of the OHM.

Through the use of Isa companies can ensure that Health promotion also reaches employees who are unable to regularly take part in company sport - whether due to a lack of time, working from home or individual preferences.

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Our recommendation: Offer company sport in a targeted manner and combine it with digital solutions

Company sport is a tried and tested instrument for Movement in the workplace and team spirit into the day-to-day running of the company. However, it should not be seen as the sole solution. A combination of company sports, fitness programmes and digital solutions such as Isa enables companies to better meet the needs of a diverse workforce and establish a sustainable health culture in the long term. As a result, companies not only benefit from healthier employees, but also from more motivated and productive employees.