The EU-Safety Congress 2025, held 1-2 October in Heraklion, concluded with outstanding success, bringing together over 300 researchers and health professionals from across the globe. Among the many highlights of this high-level event, the Safe Fall–Safe Schools programme drew exceptional attention from experts in safety, healthcare, and education.
Dr. Óscar del Castillo Andrés, EJU Education Commissioner and professor-researcher at the University of Seville, presented new development proposals for the Safe Fall–Safe Schools project. His session sparked considerable interest, particularly from stakeholders committed to injury prevention and youth education.
One of the key figures recognising the programme’s value was Errol Taylor, member of the Executive Committee of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), UK, who expressed strong interest in the potential applications of the programme in the UK and beyond.
The project tackles a pressing global issue: falls as a leading cause of injury, especially among children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations. By combining safe fall education, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence, the initiative aims to develop more effective and evidence-based training strategies.
Dr. del Castillo explained how fall simulations were captured using high-resolution video systems. These enabled precise motion tracking and biomechanical segmentation, allowing researchers to analyse factors such as centre of mass displacement, angular momentum, and joint kinematics during falls.
Using machine learning models, researchers compared pre- and post-intervention data, demonstrating significant improvements in protective behaviours, balance recovery, and impact mitigation. The results strongly support the integration of AI-driven analysis with practical education, laying the foundation for robust, scalable fall-prevention programmes across Europe.
As the congress closed, the Safe Fall–Safe Schools project stood out as a promising model for interdisciplinary cooperation, bridging sport, science, and social impact, while reinforcing the EJU’s ongoing commitment to education, safety, and well-being.
Cover Image: European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion
Author: EJU Media