“The less the body matters at work, the more it becomes a status symbol,” says sports sociologist

Markus Lamprecht began the day with light weights and stretching. At 68, the sports sociologist still exercises almost every day, usually outdoors, although he no longer competes in marathons or triathlons. His routine fits the findings of “Sport Switzerland 2026,” a study he co-authored.

Older people, particularly older women, now rank among Switzerland’s most active groups. Lamprecht says the country has experienced a sports boom over recent decades. Participation has become more varied, and exercise reaches people who may not have identified with sport in the past.

Switzerland is among Europe’s most athletic countries, alongside Finland and Sweden. Lamprecht points to the landscape outside people’s doors: mountains, forests, lakes for swimming, and an extensive network of hiking trails and cycling routes. A large club system, good sports facilities and a broad range of activities add to the appeal.

Nature alone does not explain the difference with countries such as Germany and Portugal, where more people report doing no sport. Lamprecht says the “sportification” of Swiss society has progressed further. Sport and physical fitness carry increasing social weight. People wear sports clothes and sneakers in everyday life, while the number of those exercising several times a week for several hours continues to grow.

Comparisons with the first “Sport Switzerland” study in 2000, and with figures reaching back to the 1970s, show how much participation has changed. Lamprecht’s research examines not only who exercises and how, but also what those habits reveal about Swiss society.