
FFIT still delivering after a decade
Written By SPFL Trust Media Centre
We are pleased to today (Thursday 25 February) launch our latest Football Fans in Training campaign report for 2019-20, revealing Europe’s most successful health intervention programme is still in demand – and delivering – in its tenth year.
Key headlines:
- Almost 1,000 sign-ups in the first six months
- Male weekly alcohol consumption reduced by 149 total units
- Average weight lost 5.3kg (men) & 3.82kg (women)
- 70% of all participants did not know their risk of diabetes before FFIT
The programme proved popular in the opening six months of the 2019-20 season with almost 1,000 confirmed sign-ups before the Covid-19 outbreak. Some FFIT programmes were cancelled altogether, due to the pandemic, with others transitioning to an online format.
Once again, data shows that FFIT was on course for a hugely successful tenth year in terms of participants and weight loss.
Carey Bruce, a participant with St Mirren, found that despite Covid-19 impacting the course, the sessions had been life-changing for her family, she said: “FFIT has been transformational for my whole family and our lifestyle.
“I was walking a lot more, and it encouraged my husband and the kids to get out too.
“We all worked out together as a family; it was quality time, and making the most out of a bad situation during Covid-19,” she added.
Although ultimately less people were able to participate, weight loss was consistent with past years. Men lost an average of 5.3kg and women an impressive 3.82kg when the pandemic struck.
The statistics offered encouragement with some interesting stats linked to changes in eating & alcohol habits:
- Over average, women reduced their fizzy drink consumption by 48.18%
- Both men and women reduced their intake of sugary snacks by nearly 50%
- Men who completed the programme cumulatively reduced their alcohol intake by 149 units per week
William Anderson, a participant at Falkirk, found the education element of FFIT to be beneficial with his eating habits. He said: “The learnings around portion control, calorie intake and habit forming were so interesting.
“I always felt I was active, but I couldn’t lose weight, and the extra knowledge helped me level-up.”
In its tenth year, 16 community trusts and associated SPFL clubs delivered the programme across the country.
Read our FFIT Campaign Report 2019-20 below.