The opening was performed by Alderman Nick Derks, who together with project coordinator Peter Beek unveiled MOVE's logo. Afterwards, a festive moment with invited guests marked the official beginning of the cooperation. Some forty participants attended the meeting, from both the educational institutions involved and various external organizations.
MOVE, which stands for Mobilizing Optimal Vitality and Exercise, focuses on the smarter use of data, technology and scientific knowledge to stimulate movement and vitality. The platform acts as a connecting link between research, education and practice, providing space for joint innovation and knowledge development.
Prior to the opening, an inspiration session took place in which participants discussed opportunities for collaboration. At three thematic tables -Performance Sport, Police and Defense, and Exercise Stimulation and Healthcare- ideas for concrete projects were explored. These discussions yielded a wide range of initiatives that provide a basis for future cooperation within MOVE.
Performance Sport
Within the Performance Sport theme, there appeared to be interest from sports such as volleyball, athletics and track cycling in further scientific support for practice. Possible collaborations include developing innovation agendas and using student projects to answer practical questions.
Police and Defense
The table around Police and Defense focused on issues around physical and mental strain and performance. Participants emphasized the importance of applicable, evidence-based solutions and the possibility of translating knowledge from top-level sports, for example, to the security domain. MOVE can play a connecting and facilitating role in this.
Promoting Physical Activity and Healthcare
The theme Promoting Physical Activity and Healthcare covered a broad field, ranging from physical education and exercise interventions to 'exercise = medicine' and mental health. Here lies an important role for MOVE in evaluating interventions and supporting policy development with practice data.
The great interest from both knowledge institutions and social partners underlines the support for MOVE. The starting position for further development of the platform is thus promising. In the coming period the first projects will be developed, with the aim of making a flying start after the summer.
With MOVE, the parties involved are taking a concrete step towards sustainable cooperation on exercise, health and vitality.
