Sports and exercise do not only make people feel fit, they also decrease the likelihood of various illnesses (including chronic illnesses) and psychological disorders. The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) conducts research and recommends interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and improve the performance of athletes of all levels. ZonMw also encourages and facilitates innovations, helps to reduce the occurrence of sports injuries, and encourages participation in sports and exercise activities. Our ultimate objective is for everybody to be able to profit from sports and exercise, both socially and economically. ZonMw funds hundreds of sports and exercise projects.
Can make all the difference to high-level sporting performance, wider participation in sport, and the development of a healthy, active lifestyle. Through programming, funding research, stimulating and facilitating innovation, and promoting participation in sport and exercise, ZonMw is contributing to a growing body of knowledge on the benefits of sport and movement.
ZonMw strives to bring about societal and economic returns on sport and exercise; the results include healthier lifestyles, better sporting performances, fewer injuries, and a growing recognition of the importance of sport and exercise in social issues.
In the Netherlands, sport policy is carried out both on a national and on a local level. The government encourages the development of elite sport and community sport through programs aimed at increasing knowledge and innovation and encouraging sport participation.
General information & National policiesTiny plastic particles may have subtle effects on the placenta, according to results recently published by researcher Hanna Dusza and her team in the leading journal Environmental Health Perspectives. The researchers call for additional studies to gain a better understanding of the effect of micro- and nanoplastics on the health of the mother and the developing child.
At least 9 out of 10 publications in 2021 resulting from research funded by NWO and ZonMw are available as open access. For NWO, this means an increase of 5% compared to last year. For ZonMw-funded research, the increase is 8%. This is according to the Open Access Monitor conducted by CWTS (Centre for Science and Technology Studies) on behalf of NWO (and ZonMw).
In recent years, attention for the role of nutrition in relation to (preventive) human health has increased. This is because healthy food and a healthy lifestyle are said to ensure a longer healthy life and can thus extend the healthy life span.
Within the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) 'Non-animal models: acceptance and implementation', three consortia will research on the acceptance and implementation of existing animal-free models. A total of about € 2.9mln has been awarded for this research. This programme is a collaboration between the Dutch Ministries of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W), Public Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK), Agriculture,...
Persons with disabilities, with care needs or with psychiatric illnesses are particularly affected by the impact of the digital divide in society. The EURECO 2021 conference will focus on approaches to promote the development of equal digital participation for these vulnerable groups as well.
Read more
Do you face challenges in finding an animal-free innovation in research and industry? Sign up for the online matchmaking event on 10 February 2021 at 13:00h CET of Create2Solve by sending an e-mail to mkmd@zonmw.nl.
Read more