Can events like the Olympics really increase participation? Katie Lewis reports on the discussions at this year's SIBEC Europe

Is the health and fitness sector responding to the ever-more diverse needs of its potential customer base?

NICE is now recommending that physical activity be included in the QOF, which financially incentivises GPs for prescribing specific treatments. This is, says Liz Terry, a major breakthrough for the fitness industry

Is the health and fitness industry approaching children's fitness in the right way? Kate Cracknell asks the experts for their views

Short bursts of exercise can have an instant impact on memory in older adults - and especially those with Alzheimer's - according to a new study from the US

Oliver Gillie reports on the benefits of the 'sunshine vitamin' - vitamin D - and how it is helping top athletes to improve their performance and be more competitive

Fitness operators must investigate new revenue channels to grow in 2013, says Mintel's Michael Oliver

Nick Batram asks whether the investment climate is now right for some health and fitness companies to re-enter the UK stock market

Good programming and well-trained staff can unlock the potential of functional training zones for special population groups. Kath Hudson finds out more

Technogym has opened its brand new headquarters: the Wellness Village in Cesena, Italy. Kate Cracknell pays a visit and finds an exemplary corporate wellness model

Kate Cracknell talks to the head of recreation at Migros Zurich about expanding into the German market

Football clubs are developing community outreach programmes that are addressing social issues and linking local people together. Neena Dhillon reports

A Spanish health resort is taking wellbeing and healthy lifestyles into the digital age, providing guests with customised iPads for the duration of their stay.

PayasUgym has secured a partnership with Tesco which will see the online company provide gym passes to over 16 million Clubcard customers.

Spafinder Wellness is to expand its Last Minute platform to Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles in November. The service has been designed to help spas, health clubs and wellness centres more easily fill open appointment times that previously would have gone un-booked.

Former US President Bill Clinton and Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy, will be at the opening of the Technogym Village on 29 September 2012, along with 800 other guests from more than 60 countries.

A fitness technology startup that offers consumers the opportunity to search for group exercise classes in their area is looking to expand its services in the UK.

Health club operator David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has launched a free UK mobile app aimed at both members and non-members.

A new CHI-branded spa is to open at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore in October as part of the wider SG$66m (US$53.1m, EUR43m, £34.1m) revamp of the property's Garden Wing.

Online health and beauty marketplace Wahanda has introduced Wahanda Connect - an online booking system connecting businesses with customers. The new platform provides an end-to-end marketing solution allowing spas, salons, wellbeing, fitness and beauty professionals to get listed and sell to the end customer via Wahanda's network.

The London 2012 anti-doping facilities will be developed after the Olympic and Paralympic Games into a world-class resource that could help revolutionise healthcare.

Stakeholders are being encouraged to register and try out spogo, the main digital legacy project for the 2012 Olympic Games now available online in beta mode. A customer-facing online service, www.spogo.co.uk has been designed to make searching and finding physical activities as simple as other consumer-friendly online services.

Marriott International has announced the launch of its new careers presence on the Chinese social network, Weibo, as part of efforts to hire 30,000 people by the end of 2014.

A new results-orientated skincare line and the latest light therapy technology will be on offer at the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, US, as the result of a partnership with B Kamins.

A new £37m initiative has been launched with the support of government funding to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life for nearly 170,000 older people across the UK.

Daily deals website Groupon has launched its new Scheduler online booking system to provide businesses with the opportunity to manage their schedules and accept bookings directly.

David Stalker, CEO of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has revealed details of a new joint venture with Sport England which aims to secure a digital legacy for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cloud-based management software provider GramercyOne and deals website Lifebooker have announced a partnership which will enable spas to market unfilled appointments through their business management software.

Pete Ellis, chair and CEO of SpaFinder, has launched WellTech, a new health and wellness-focused 'incubator' designed to support, develop and bring new technology companies to market. Selected firms using technology to devise new consumer health and wellness solutions will receive a minimum investment of US$50,000.

Online health and beauty marketplace Wahanda has secured a partnership agreement with deal website lastminute.com UK to manage the portal's spa category.