According to a recent survey by PHIT America of more than 50 leaders in the sports, health, and fitness industries, more than 90 percent agree that the ‘Inactivity Pandemic is an issue thats having negative side effects on the sports industry. Seventy percent of the respondents agreed with the statement that the ‘Inactivity Pandemic is having a ‘Major Impact on Sports Participation Rates and Consumer Purchases, while 24 percent agreed that the ‘Inactivity Pandemic is having a ‘Moderate Impact. 

Only 6 percent said it was having a ‘Minor Impact and no one said the Inactivity Pandemic had ‘No Impact. And for the vast majority of Americans, ‘inactivity is reversible. 

The ‘Inactivity Pandemic is real and is a threat to America and the sports and fitness industry.  It is slow and gradual, but the impact on industry revenue is dramatic, notes Keith Storey, President, Sports Marketing Surveys USA (Jupiter, FL), who examines these trends.  The industry must face this trend and turn it around.

According to Sports Marketing Surveys USA, if current trends of inactivity continue at their current pace, the sports and fitness industry will see a decline of retail revenue of $28 billion by 2018.  This information was released at the Sports & Fitness Industry Associations (SFIA) inaugural 2013 Industry Leaders Summit in Baltimore.

During the SFIAs 2nd Industry Leaders Summit in Chicago in September, the SFIA, in conjunction with PHIT America, announced a plan to reverse the ‘Inactivity Pandemic. Named the SFIA Increase Participation Plan, the biggest initiative that the sports & fitness industry has ever launched to increase participation. Working closely with industry partner PHIT America, the SFIA has outlined an attack plan to help reverse the ‘Inactivity Pandemic, and get more Americans active and playing sports.

Join a Webinar To Learn About the SFIA Increase Participation Plan

On Thursday, November 13, the SFIA and PHIT America will hold a webinar covering the ‘Inactivity Pandemic and the new SFIA Increase Participation Plan. You will hear about the new two-step approach that will focus on (1) creating one million active children by 2020 and (2) pass the PHIT Act by 2016.

Sign up for the webinar by clicking on this link.

The first step in the SFIA Increase Participation Plan is to jumpstart physical activity with young Americans through ‘Mini PEP Grants.  With the average budget for physical education in each school at $764 per year, P.E. programs are hurting.  The ‘Mini PEP Grants, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, will complement the existing PEP grants that are distributed by the U.S. Department of Education through its Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP).  These grants will be used to get kids ‘off the couch and get them active through school-based programs.
We have a very entrepreneurial and efficient grant process and program working with PHIT America two-year partner, KIDS in the GAME, says Jim Baugh, Founder of PHIT America.

The second step of the SFIA Increase Participation Plan is to pass the PHIT Act by 2016, the important legislation that will allow Americans to use Pre-Tax Medical Accounts to get reimbursed for physical activity expenses.  In the past few years, the SFIA, along with others in the industry, have made great progress in passing the PHIT Act. Today, 49 Members of Congress — 25 Democrats and 24 Republicans — have co-sponsored the legislation. But, it is time to get this legislation passed.

The PHIT Act is the most important piece of legislation the sports and fitness industry has ever had, says Tom Cove, SFIA President & CEO.  Imagine using Pre-Tax Medical Accounts for sports equipment, race entry fees and much more. The PHIT Act will help us combat Americas issue of increasing healthcare cost. And it will be a ‘home run for our industry. It is time to pass the PHIT Act and we can do it.

Every part of our industry — manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, governing bodies — needs to step up and support our efforts to help grow sports and fitness participation through these programs, says SFIA Chairman Bob Puccini (President-Mizuno USA).  All of us must invest. If not us, who will?

ABOUT PHIT AMERICA: Founded in January 2013, PHIT America is a non-profit educational, social media, and advocacy campaign focused on overcoming the inactivity pandemic and obesity crisis in America by creating a Movement for a Fit & Healthy America. More than 100 companies along with sports ambassadors and celebrities are helping PHIT America to get more Americans more active, fit and healthier.  For more information about PHIT America, visit PHITAmerica.org.

ABOUT SFIA:  The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit www.sfia.org.