The intervention phase of the GreenPE – An Innovative Physical Education Model for Sustainable Personal and Environmental Health project has been successfully completed, proving that outdoor exercise can be an integral part of university life—even in colder months. Charles University, as one of the project’s key partners, contributed to this initiative promoting sustainable physical education across Central Europe.
During the 2024-25 winter semester, students voluntarily participated in GreenPE as an optional subject, embracing the philosophy that "There is no bad weather, just bad clothes and bad mood" – For 12 weeks, they followed a structured program consisting of one 90-minute outdoor practical physical education session per week, one designed home-based training session, and a theoretical online lecture. Even during the 6-week exam period, they remained committed, continuing with two home-based training sessions per week.
To support sustainable practices, GreenPE experts established that outdoor training would only be moved indoors if temperatures dropped below 0°C—a situation that never occurred throughout the semester. This demonstrated that Charles University’s outdoor sports facilities and Prague’s climate are well-suited for year-round physical activity, reducing reliance on indoor sports infrastructure and lowering environmental impact.
The project was conducted simultaneously in four countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—showcasing a regional effort to integrate sustainability into physical education. In the coming weeks, experts will analyze data from anthropometric, fitness, socio-psychological, and biomarker measurements to assess the program’s effectiveness.
The initiative has been made possible with the support of the Visegrad Fund.
