The beneficial effects of exercise and physical activity in general are often underestimated. However, they can be much more effective than certain medications in combating a sedentary lifestyle, as well as promoting good mental health. Efforts must be made to promote physical activity through infrastructure, but also through education. This was the conclusion of the 13th edition of the Digital Health Connect conference, held on Thursday at the Clinique romande de réadaptation de Sion.

More than 100 people attended this leading conference on health, digital technology, and sport. Right from the start, an active welcome set the tone: active design, motivational messages, and fun exercises encouraged participants to move and think about the place of movement in everyday life.

The event, organized by Swiss Digital Health, HES-SO Valais/Wallis, and The Ark Foundation, was opened by Sébastien Mabillard, president of Swiss Digital Health. He reiterated the importance of movement in maintaining physical fitness, preventing chronic diseases, and improving quality of life.

Guillaume Millet, professor of exercise physiology at the University of Jean-Monnet in St-Etienne, then debunked a few myths about the role of movement in health, based on scientific data. In particular, he stated that playing sports is not mandatory for good health. Sports, which are more codified and performance-oriented, can be intimidating to certain segments of the population. However, physical activity remains essential. “There is a kind of disdain among some doctors, as if it were too simple to prescribe physical activity to their patients,” notes Guillaume Millet.

Talking about it with sedentary people

Simple actions can already set a dynamic in motion. During the panel discussion “Healing through movement,” Lionel Constantin from Unisanté suggested that anyone in contact with sedentary individuals take three minutes to ask them about their physical activity. “This can plant a small seed and open up a discussion about the importance of physical activity,” he emphasizes.

Several initiatives that promote movement are in place in various healthcare institutions, such as the Clinique romande de réadaptation and the Hôpital fribourgeois (HFR). “Movement must now be considered as a form of care,” notes Thibault Devaud, sports instructor at the HFR. He launched a “hospital without pajamas” project, featuring an escape game to motivate patients to move. Other programs to get sedentary people moving again are also in place, such as “Pas à Pas+” in the canton of Vaud.

Social media to the rescue

Under certain conditions, social media influencers can also encourage people to be more active, especially young people. This is the finding of a survey and project conducted by the University of Bern, coordinated by Rahel Aschwanden. “Institutional communication about exercise fails because it is too far removed from young people’s everyday lives, too moralistic or too idealized,” she notes. With influencers involved and small, concrete actions to propose, the results are better.

Philippe Furrer, co-founder of bloomUp, has shown how it is possible to reclaim “third places” and turn them into places conducive to movement, especially for young people. He relies on a proven method. First, it is important to be familiar with the constraints and facilities of the location. “Then, we meet with ambassadors and identify the barriers that hold people back, and finally, we bring the locations to life. It is not enough to simply install equipment for young people to use.”

Promoting physical activity through public policy

How can we encourage the Swiss population to be more active? A second panel brought together four experts to discuss federal, cantonal, and municipal levers. From the creation of innovative projects to the financing of local infrastructure, the speakers demonstrated that a structured approach and solid arguments can change political mindsets.

“Being supported by the federal government is a guarantee of quality, which helps to find partners and motivate other stakeholders,” emphasizes Annette Notz, deputy director of the FOSPO, which runs the lab 7×1 aimed at promoting one hour of physical activity per day.

For Jérémy Maillefer, physical activity delegate for the City of Renens, the key to success lies in patience and rigor. “You don’t need that much of a budget. As long as the climate is right and the arguments are solid, you can make things happen.”

On the Promotion Santé Valais side, Thibaut Matti emphasizes the importance of adapting national strategies to the local context. “We have to decipher the strategies in order to apply them in the field.”

Finally, Florelle Udrisard from the Fondation IdéeSport emphasizes accessibility and enjoyment. “The idea is to bring back the pleasure of moving and playing together, moving away from the notion of progression and performance.”

Three start-ups to conclude

The conference ended with pitches from three start-ups offering concrete innovations related to movement.

• BoxUp develops lockers containing sports equipment, particularly for public authorities. This turnkey service is free for users and makes it possible to better utilize spaces for physical activity.
• LudHealth, based in France, offers multi-activity and interactive stations to encourage children and/or seniors to engage in physical activity. These stations are modular and easily movable. Fifty units are already in use in various healthcare facilities.
• Finally, the Valais-based start-up ViMou is developing technology that enables patients to reclaim their bodies. A projection system artistically reproduces the person’s movements, transforming them into a personalized work of art.

Comments collected on December 4, during Digital Health Connect

A deep dive into the topic of health through movement will be published on swissdigitalhealth.com in spring 2026. Stay tuned!