We move too little. And when we do move, it’s often too one-dimensional, leading to various negative consequences: injuries, dropouts, health issues... The Dutch Athletic Skills Model (the ASM) addresses this societal challenge with a solution: "Versatile Movement" via the Fundamental 10! With these 10 basic movement skills, the ASM provides a framework for versatile movement. The ASM educates sports and movement professionals and designs innovative indoor and outdoor sports and exercise spaces, such as the Skills Garden in public areas. This way the ASM makes versatile movement accessible to everyone!
Versatile movement...
The ASM was developed by Geert Savelsbergh (Professor of Motor Learning at VU Amsterdam) and René Wormhoudt (physiotherapist and strength & conditioning coach for the Dutch national football team). Their combined knowledge and expertise makes the ASM a scientifically and practically supported vision on talent development and movement.
…for Everyone!
From young to old, with or without disabilities, in elite and recreational sports, lifestyle, physical education, healthcare, business and the arts & culture sectors. Fitness, health and wellbeing are essential for everyone. Movement plays a crucial role in this—not just how much you move, but more importantly, the way that you move. The ASM introduces "Versatile Movement," which offers more benefits than single-dimensional movement.
Specializing too early in one sport and focusing on a narrow range of movements increases the risk of overload, injuries and burnout. For optimal development, it’s important to build a wide range of movement skills, which makes you a more complete mover! Research shows that versatile movement leads to better performance, less overload and injury, greater creativity in movement solutions, and above all, more enjoyment and motivation to keep moving! These benefits are not only relevant in (elite) sports but also improve the learning outcomes of physical education and increase selfsufficiency in older adults, for instance.
Versatile movement as a foundation for facility design
The ASM has an unique perspective on movement and the spaces in which we move. ASM designs innovative indoor and outdoor sports spaces from this mindset, including gyms, public fields, sports parks and playgrounds. The designs are colorful, often asymmetrical, with varied surfaces or sports flooring. They create an inviting setting that encourages movement through the 10 basic movement skills—so not just through sports. These spaces are versatile, accommodating play, dance, social interactions, training, and sports.
The ASM’s movement spaces are used by various domains, such as physical education, community sports coaches, businesses and healthcare providers, from physiotherapists to caregivers. They create a place where innovative sports and exercise initiatives can emerge. The spaces support creative use across different group sizes and movement levels. Lines, zones, and shapes provide plugand-play tools for both recreational and professional movers and for instructors. Outdoor spaces are created under the name “Skills Garden.”
“... a social infrastructure that draws people in and encourages social interaction.”
Skills Garden
The Skills Garden invites and stimulates people to move alone or together. There are plenty of movement triggers that make it fun for everyone to get and stay active at their own level. Skills Garden is a customized public area designed to stimulate, challenge, encourage interaction and create fun in versatile movement. It provides a social infrastructure that attracts people and promotes social cohesion. It’s a place for all ages, with activities available all week long, around the clock.
The Netherlands… and beyond!
ASM has left its design signature on over 60 indoor and outdoor facilities. Most are in the Netherlands, but facilities have also been established in Belgium, Germany, and the UK. Interest from other countries is growing as well. Curious and excited? Let us know through our website and subscribe to our newsletter!
Good practice: Skills Garden Almere
The former playground has been transformed into a tailored environment, a Skills Garden focused on stimulating, challenging and making movement enjoyable. The playscape integrates with living, working, and leisure activities, creating a space where people can meet and socialize. The Skills Garden serves as a social infrastructure that draws people in and encourages social interaction. A place for all ages, with activities available all week long, any time of day. The design ensures a pleasant environment for relaxation and community-building.
By implementing the Skills Garden, the municipality of Almere has created opportunities for local residents, sports clubs, schools and healthcare providers to promote a healthy and active lifestyle sustainably. Seniors can gather to practice balance, for example, or play with children, and schools can offer PE classes here. In general, the Skills Garden is accessible to all, accommodating people with and without disabilities, children, adolescents, adults and seniors, whether engaged in organized or freestyle activities. Schools, sports clubs, fire and police departments, healthcare centers, community sports coaches and caregivers can use the Skills Garden for training or exercise programs.
This inclusive space centers around the 10 basic movement skills, essential for staying fit, such as strength, speed, flexibility, endurance, and agility. The Skills Garden uses colors, shapes, furnishings and various surfaces to appeal to all users, encouraging everyone to develop a versatile, creative and enjoyable approach to sports, games, and exercises.
Nicky Wormhoudt Projectmanager Athletic Skills Model >>