Sport and health: University in motion inspires with action and fun!

Sport and health: University in motion inspires with action and fun!

On July 4, 2025, a festive event was celebrated on the sports campus of the University of Kassel that focused on sport, fun and community. Under the title “University in Motion”, there was already a competitive atmosphere from 2 p.m., while teams competed against each other in various disciplines such as football, roundnet, beach volleyball and badminton. A special highlight was the team half marathon, which challenged the participants and at the same time strengthened the sense of community.

But the event offered much more than just competitions. Action stations such as the pull-up contest, the bungee run and the rowing ergometer challenge enabled visitors to put their fitness to the test. Numerous hands-on courses have now also been offered, including Zumba, functional fitness, Ving Tsun Kung Fu and cycling. The UNIfit team was on site and offered free trial training as well as an exciting hang challenge.

Health promotion in focus

A key focus of the day was health promotion. The Techniker Krankenkasse was represented with interactive modules that offered students and visitors, among other things, a nutritional radar, a stress type determination and a climate activity check. The student health management team “study well” also organized games and exchange opportunities to promote social interaction.

An informative highlight of the event was the “Mind Matters” lecture series, which included a lecture and workshop on the topic “Mentally fit through exercise”. Furthermore, a GreenSports upcycling stand was dedicated to the topic of sustainability by offering creative experiments with recycled materials.

The offer for children was also taken into account. A bouncy castle was set up here and there was the opportunity for parent-child gymnastics. The student union treated the guests to culinary delights with cool drinks and snacks from the Mensa Hopper.

Positive feedback and future outlook

The General University Sports team was extremely satisfied with the response to the event. Overall, the outcome of the “Uni on the Move” was perceived as consistently positive, and there is already anticipation of a new edition in 2026.

The FISU Healthy Campus certification, which was launched in 2020 by the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU), also stands in the larger context of health promotion. This program aims to improve the well-being of students and faculty through holistic approaches that include fitness, mental health, nutrition, and social responsibility and sustainability. Currently, around 150 universities worldwide have registered for the certification, including ten German universities, which can expect to receive awards such as “Certified”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold” or “Platinum”. adh.de reported.

Participation in the Healthy Campus program promises universities international networking opportunities and access to a network of experts that provides valuable insights for university sports facilities. The certificate awarding ceremony as part of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will once again underline the important role of health promotion in higher education FISU.net.

More on this is the Okanagan Charter, which highlights the essential role of health-promoting universities for society and the planet. These initiatives will help reverse the trend of young adults often neglecting their health during their college years. By improving campus quality of life and supporting sustainable goals, these programs contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Overall, it shows that health-promoting measures and sporting events such as the “Uni on the Move” not only strengthen the sense of community, but also make a significant contribution to the quality of life and well-being of all university members.