Recreational accidents: Training enables prevention

Every year some 900,000 accidents are reported to Swiss insurers, roughly 600,000 of which occur in a non-work-related setting. Two thirds of all accidents therefore occur during leisure time. And nearly two thirds of the total cost borne by accident insurers of approximately 5 billion Swiss francs annually is attributable to such accidents.

Employers have a range of possibilities for reducing the risk of occupational accidents. These include making changes to the work environment, heightening employee awareness and ensuring occupational safety. These measures can serve effectively to lower risk and reduce direct and indirect costs resulting from employee absences. 

Employers have less influence over what their employees do in their free time. Yet the consequences for the company are the same regardless of whether an employee breaks a leg in a fall at work or while skiing at the weekend. It is thus important to raise awareness among employees on preventing recreational accidents: Regular physical training sessions can reduce the risk of recreational accidents or at least mitigate the consequences of accidents that do occur.

"Individuals who have better strength, endurance and flexibility thanks to physical fitness are better able to react in hazardous situations and thus often avoid falling victim to accidents," explains Ralph Echensperger, Chief Claims Officer at Zurich Switzerland. Physically fit people suffer less serious injuries generally from a fall or bruising if they do occur. A fit body recovers faster and better too, meaning that holistic physical fitness plays a key role in accident prevention.

Dr. Andreas Rindlisbacher, retired deputy head physician at Zug Cantonal Hospital and an experienced traumatologist, has this to say about sporting accidents: "Training deficits are the main reason why amateur athletes suffer sports injuries. Studies show that potential injuries and their severity can be significantly reduced by undergoing the right training."

Ralph Echensperger says that the Zurich vitaparcours are a very good option for holistically training the body and thereby reducing accidents: "The courses train strength, endurance and flexibility at the same time. This is why, as one of Switzerland's largest accident insurers, we have been dedicated to the Zurich vitaparcours for 55 years." Andreas Rindlisbacher also notes: "The integrated exercises of the Zurich vitaparcours mean they are among the cross-sport physical training formats that are beneficial for preventing sports injuries."