STA, 28 February 2021 - The fitness industry has been severely affected by coronavirus restrictions with last year's loss of income estimated at 75%, said the fitness, recreation and regeneration branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) on Sunday, warning about a decline in physical fitness.
Fitness centres were allowed to reopen almost two weeks ago. It is extremely important that access to guided recreational fitness activities is provided for as many people as possible as soon as possible, reads a press release.
"The state has done very little to help the sector," the GZS department said, adding that the role of the industry had been overlooked. Despite assurances from the authorities that aid intended specifically for the sector would be part of legislative stimulus packages, nothing has been done so far, the press release adds.
In 2019, the sector provided recreational activities for some 100,000 users.
"It is key such organised sports activities are no longer restricted in the future. Of course, provided all the prevention protocols are heeded," fitness centres said, warning that a decline in physical fitness recorded in 2020 will have a long-term detrimental effect on psychophysical condition of children and adults.
The results of a study on children's physical fitness published by the Ljubljana Faculty of Sport last year point to the largest drop in physical efficiency among youth since the start of such survey and the sharpest rise in the number of overweight children since 1987.
The GZS branch expects an alarming decline in physical fitness among adults as well, warning that such a crisis means a long-term burden on healthcare and reduced productivity, which further weakens the budget.
