Published on 28 April 2026

Teaching and Sports Education

In a research project carried out by the Monitoring and Evaluation specialist unit, a scientifically sound diagnostic system was developed for the Swiss Armed Forces, designed for roles involving high physical and mental demands. The SFISM also works actively to promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities. New, practical teaching materials on ethics in sport promote responsible behaviour in educational institutions and sports organisations.

The SFISM is committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities. — © FOSPO

Research for the Swiss Armed Forces: Reduced dropout-rate

In a dissertation project, the SFISM developed an empirically based, multidimensional diagnostic and predictive system for professions with high physical and mental demands, such as elite soldiers. The system assesses performance and predicts individual probabilities of success in the selection process for special forces.

This reduces fitness-related dropout rates by around 30%. Several national and international organisations are already using the test battery or are interested in doing so. The SFISM is establishing itself as a leading institution for science-based performance diagnostics and selection tests in tactical contexts.

A meta-analytic predictive approach to fitness-related dropout rates of special operations forces candidates, SFISM project database

The SFISM is committed to diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities

In 2025, the SFISM focused on its development in the areas of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities (DIC). The Integration and Prevention unit led this project, which helped to raise awareness and build skills among staff. A participatory approach fostered a culture of sustainable change.

A key element of the project is Verlernraum Diskriminierung – Lernraum Diversity (discrimination leads to unlearning, diversity to learning), which has been running since May 2025. The fifteen participants were divided into two groups and met several times to discuss the issues. This fostered reflection, openness and a sense of belonging, and equipped the participants to act as multiplicators.

Teaching materials on Ethics in Sport encourage group interaction, discussion and reflection. — © FOSPO

Ethics in sport – varied and practical teaching

The Integration and Prevention unit was involved in creating teaching materials which promote the issue of ethics in sport. The website mobilesport.ch offers a wide range of publicly available teaching materials for educational institutions, sports associations and clubs.

The Wertvoller Sport praktisch umgesetzt information material contains tools for raising awareness of values and ethics in sport. Nine interactive scenarios featuring real-life examples – covering topics such as responsibility, transparency, belonging and fairness – form the core of the material. The activities encourage physical activity and a sense of community, whilst also providing opportunities for observation, discussion and reflection. The intention is to raise awareness of ethical issues in everyday sporting activities and to address them with a structured approach – regardless of age, ability or sport.

• Ethik im Schweizer Sport, mobilesport.ch (in German, French or Italian)
• Wertvoller Sport praktisch umgesetzt, mobilesport.ch (in German, French or Italian)

SFISM Annual Report 2025