# The deployment of online sports and wellbeing services during the pandemic - Savonia AMK

> An exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted sports and wellbeing service providers and the role of digitalization in promoting physical activity.

## Introduction
21.04.2022

"All the reasons that keep us from moving are excuses," said the former Finnish president Urho Kaleva Kekkonen in 1977. 

In Finland, municipalities are tasked with promoting the wellbeing of residents. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the provision of these services, but the two-year experience proves that digital services can offer new ways to promote wellbeing. Studies have shown that the pandemic significantly reduced exercise activity across almost all age groups (Kantomaa 2020, 4). With hindsight, it is clear that making digital exercise services available more quickly could have potentially prevented this decline in physical activity.

## Case Study: Joogahymy
Joogahymy is a small yoga studio located in Nokia. When the pandemic began, the company had to adapt to exceptional circumstances, and digitalization became a viable solution. 

Pekko Vuorela, the entrepreneur behind Joogahymy, notes that transitioning to online services requires careful consideration of equipment, payment systems, and internet speed. He also emphasizes that following instructions on a screen requires discipline from customers. Vuorela’s background in the media business, combined with a proactive attitude, helped the studio successfully pivot.

– "For us, getting into online services has really been a lifesaver!" states Vuorela.

## Challenges for Municipalities
Key municipal sports services faced multiple closures during the pandemic, which impacted both the availability of services and the development of remote offerings. Despite this, many municipalities failed to clearly display the digital services available from local businesses. 

To support municipal vitality, health and welfare coordinators should foster greater cooperation with local service providers. However, several challenges remain regarding the digitalization of these services:

* **Digital Divide:** Not all residents possess the adequate skills, facilities, or tools to participate in remote exercise.
* **Infrastructure:** Many lack suitable IT equipment or reliable internet connections.
* **Affordability:** The costs of digital services may be prohibitive for some segments of the population.

Municipal operators must address these barriers to ensure the benefits of digital services are accessible to the general population. As an update to President Kekkonen’s sentiment: accessible digital sports and wellbeing services would further minimize all excuses for not moving.

## Resources
* [Free yoga video produced by Joogahymy](https://www.youtube.com)

## Authors
* **Noora Kaipola, Anne Karimäki, Niina Meronen, Hanna-Kaisa Piirto:** Students of Health and Welfare Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia UAS
* **Sanna Savela:** Senior Lecturer in Languages, Savonia UAS

## Sources
* Vuorela, Pekko 2022. Yoga-teacher. Joogahymy. Interview 13.2.2022.
* Kekkonen Urho Kaleva 1977. Yle Areena 2014. Presidentin päivä. Presidentti Urho Kekkosen henkilökuva ja työtehtävät yhden päivän aikana. (16.2.1977). Accessed on 11.2.2022.
* Kantomaa, Marko (toim.) 2020. Koronapandemian vaikutukset väestön liikuntaan. Valtion liikuntaneuvoston julkaisuja 2020:2.