Strengthening the will to defend

Men’s Health Month

In November, during Men’s Health Month, the Ministry of Defence, the Estonian Defence Forces, and the Estonian Defence League call on reservists and men in Estonia to pay greater attention to their physical fitness.

From a national defence perspective, men’s physical fitness and overall health are of critical importance to ensuring Estonia’s defence capability. According to the National Institute for Health Development, more than 75% of men in Estonia are physically inactive and over 60% are overweight. Due to health-related reasons, approximately 10–20% of all called-up reservists are excused from refresher training exercises. As a result, men’s health is becoming an increasingly significant challenge for Estonia’s national defence.

Accordingly, one of the key initiatives during Men’s Health Month is the experimental television series “Tippvormi(s)!”, broadcast on Estonian Public Broadcasting’s channel ETV. The programme follows ten individuals with below-average physical fitness as they embark on a demanding journey. Throughout the series, participants push their limits through intensive training and a variety of challenges. Viewers can follow their progress and see whether, within three months, they are able to achieve the level of fitness required to pass the Estonian Defence Forces’ physical fitness test.

Additional activities include initiatives linked to the Sports Army (Spordivägi) app, as well as special offers provided by various companies to national defenders.