National Programme for Sport as Healthy Therapy (Programme National Thérapeutique Sport-Santé - PNTSS)

Physical activity: a treatment in its own right 

A lack of physical activity is a one of the main causes of early death in the world and it is one of the most important risk factors in long-term illnesses (LTIs) such as cancer, neurological and orthopaedic conditions, diabetes, obesity, etc. Physical activity is not only beneficial in the primary prevention of such LTIs, but also in their treatment. Indeed, the positive effects of adapted physical activity (APA) in cardiovascular diseases have been known for 50 years, and the last 25 years have seen more and more scientific publications on the benefits of APA in many other LTIs. In the last 5 years, the benefits of regular APA have been described in depression, burn-out and cognitive disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). APA must therefore be considered as a treatment in its own right.

Over 70 hours of adapted physical activity

Currently, over 70 hours of APA are offered to persons suffering from LTIs by the members of the Luxembourg Federation of Health Sport Associations Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Associations de Sport de Santé (FLASS). 

All the information concerning this offer can be found on the internet portal www.sport-sante.lu.

How can the number of beneficiaries be increased ?

As in virtually all other countries, the number of patients taking part regularly in the different APA groups is grossly inadequate (5 to 10% of eligible patients). For example, only 17% of patients with self-reported coronary heart disease follow the minimum physical activity recommendations. Likewise, 10 years after completing breast cancer treatment, only 21% of patients follow the minimum recommendations. According to a British study published in 2019, people with LTIs do between 9 and 11% less physical activity than the healthy population, these percentages being highest in patients with mental illness or cardiovascular conditions.

Objectives of the National Programme for Sport as Healthy Therapy

As a result of these findings, the National Programme for Sport as Healthy Therapy (PNTSS) was developed to increase the number of active patients through actions taken in the following four areas : coordination, promotion, training and research.

Coordinating the APA offer

The APA offer is mainly coordinated by the FLASS and its members, largely thanks to financial support provided by the Ministry of Health.

Promoting Sport for Health

The 2018 National Sport for Health Campaign (Campagne Nationale Sport-Santé 2018), funded by the Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte and the Ministry of Social Security, promoted APA by broadcasting promotional video clips on RTL television and sending information packs to all doctors practising in the Grand Duchy.

Developing training and encouraging research

Training on APA for health professionals and physical activity professionals is encouraged, as is scientific research in the field.

A national and international movement

The National Programme for Sport as Healthy Therapy (PNTSS) is not only part of a number of international action plans ( e.g. World Health Organization, Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030), but also the GIMB National Plan 2018-2025.