International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy

What International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy does

The International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT), recently rebranded to the International Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Association (ISEPA), is a non-profit professional membership federation established around 2000 and domiciled in Lausanne, Switzerland. It operates as a recognised subgroup of World Physiotherapy and represents 40 national sports physiotherapy member organisations across 38 countries, encompassing more than 15,000 individual practitioners and 275 Registered International Sports Physical Therapists (RISPT).

ISEPA’s product portfolio centres on the RISPT professional credential based on the International Sports Physiotherapy Competencies (aligned to EQF Level 7), the SEPWOC (Sport & Exercise Physiotherapy World Online Congress) annual event, the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT), CPD webinars, and the World Sports Physiotherapy Day awareness initiative. The underlying technology platform is a Moodle-based e-learning system delivered through the Erasmus+ SportsComp project, which produced three 5-ECTS master-level courses (Diversity and Inclusion in Sports; Decision-Making in Injury Prevention and Return to Sport; From Research to Innovation in Sports Physiotherapy Practice) developed via a co-creation methodology involving 140+ practitioners from approximately 40 countries.

ISEPA generates revenue through member organisation fees (subscription model), congress and event registrations (SEPWOC, WCSPT), and corporate sponsorship from four named partners (UTC Imaging, KINVENT, The Running Clinic, Academia Clinics Espriegueira). It also received a 400,000 euro Erasmus+ grant in 2023 with four European university partners (JAMK, University of Tartu, VUB, University of Thessaly). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the federation is governed by an Executive Board on a member-driven, volunteer-led model supported by a small permanent staff of 7.

Name

International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy

Legal name

International Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Association

Website

https://ifspt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISEPA (formerly IFSPT) is a Switzerland-based global federation representing 40 national sports physiotherapy member organisations and 15,000+ individual practitioners, offering the RISPT credential, congresses, journal, and Erasmus+-funded e-learning courses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports Medicine Federation Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Compliance, Governance & Integrity Services (Safeguarding, Anti-Doping, Match Integrity) (MPAKAKAM)

Keywords

• Sports physiotherapy federation
• Professional certification programs
• Continuing professional development
• International competency standards
• Physiotherapy education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Organisation Fees: ISEPA generates revenue through membership fees from its 40 national member organisations and individual members. Member organisations pay to be affiliated with ISEPA and gain access to the Registered International Sports Physical Therapist (RISPT) credentialing framework, educational resources, research outputs, and congress events.
2. Congress and Event Registrations: Revenue is generated through registration fees for major congress events including SEPWOC (Sport & Exercise Physiotherapy World Online Congress) and WCSPT (World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy). The SEPWOC 2025 event featured 25 hours of live sessions, 75 speakers, and participation from 29 countries.
3. Sponsorship: ISEPA generates sponsorship revenue through its sponsor programme. Key sponsors include UTC Imaging, KINVENT, The Running Clinic, and Academia Clinics Espriegueira. Organisations can become sponsors to gain visibility at ISEPA events and communications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ISEPA (formerly IFSPT) is a global professional federation representing 40 national sports physiotherapy member organisations. It delivers competency frameworks aligned to EQF Level 7, the Registered International Sports Physical Therapist (RISPT) credential, continuing professional development (CPD) webinars, the SportsComp e-learning courses, the SEPWOC online congress, and the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT) to advance sports physiotherapy practice worldwide.

Product overview

ISEPA (formerly IFSPT) operates as a membership federation offering professional development, certification, and education products. The core portfolio includes the RISPT certification credential, the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT) as the official journal, SEPWOC as the annual congress platform, and the SportsComp e-learning system delivering three competency-based courses. Supporting products include CPD webinars, the International Sports Physiotherapy Competencies framework, and World Sports Physiotherapy Day initiatives. The organization represents 40 member organizations with 15,000+ individual members across 38 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SEPWOC (Sport & Exercise Physiotherapy World Online Congress) Annual online congress providing continuing education, live sessions, abstract presentations, and sponsor resources for sports physiotherapists worldwide. SEPWOC 2025 featured 25 hours of live sessions, 75 speakers, and participants from 29 countries.
• International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT) Official open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing sports rehabilitation through research and clinical case studies for sports healthcare providers globally.
• Registered International Sports Physical Therapist (RISPT) Certification Professional certification pathway for sports physiotherapists based on the International Sports Physiotherapy Competencies. Approximately 275 practitioners are credentialed globally across 40 member organisations.
• SportsComp E-Learning Courses Erasmus+ funded e-learning platform delivering three master-level, 5-ECTS English-taught courses on the Moodle platform: (1) Diversity and Inclusion in Sports, (2) Decision-Making in Injury Prevention and Return to Sport, and (3) From Research to Innovation in Sports Physiotherapy Practice. Courses are co-created using competence-based education principles, Bloom's Taxonomy, and EQF Level 7 alignment.
• International Sports Physiotherapy Competencies Updated competency framework developed through international Delphi studies involving 140+ sports physiotherapists from approximately 40 countries, aligned with EQF Level 7 standards. The competency profile informs the RISPT credential and three master-level e-learning courses.
• CPD Webinars Continuing Professional Development webinars providing ongoing education opportunities for sports physiotherapists and member organisation members, including research dissemination and global expert presentations.
• World Sports Physiotherapy Day Annual global awareness day promoting the sports physiotherapy profession and safe participation in sport and physical activity, coordinated by ISEPA across its 40 member organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 national member organisations representing sports physiotherapists globally
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023JAMK University of Applied Sciences is the coordinating institution for the SportsComp Erasmus+ project (Higher Education to Improve Competency in Sports Physiotherapy). Jamk serves as project coordinator, leads quality assurance activities, and is integrating e-learning courses into its master's education curricula. The project received a 400,000 euro Erasmus+ grant.
• University of Tartu (Estonia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023University of Tartu is a consortium partner in the SportsComp Erasmus+ project, serving as the UT coordinator. The university contributed to the Delphi study and focus groups, hosted consortium meetings, and will integrate e-learning courses into its curricula.
• Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) coordinates Work Package 2 (WP2) of the SportsComp project, which focuses on updating the international sports physiotherapy competency profile. VUB leads the research methodology including Delphi study and qualitative research. Jo Verschueren serves as VUB coordinator.
• University of Thessaly (Greece)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023University of Thessaly (UTH) is the UTH coordinator in the SportsComp Erasmus+ project. The university leads qualitative research (focus groups and interviews) under Eleni Kapreli, contributes to competency updating, and will integrate e-learning courses into its master's programmes.
• ISEPA / IFSPT (as project partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ISEPA (formerly IFSPT) is a consortium partner in the SportsComp Erasmus+ project, representing the practitioner community. ISEPA ensures that updated competencies reflect real-world sports physiotherapy practice and will make e-learning courses freely available to its 40 member organisations and 15,000+ individual members.
• World PhysiotherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISEPA is a recognised subgroup of World Physiotherapy, the global body representing the physiotherapy profession. This relationship provides ISEPA with international governance standing, policy alignment, and access to World Physiotherapy's network of national physiotherapy member organisations.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IOC provides sponsorship for research initiatives involving ISEPA members. Davie Mulenga received full IOC sponsorship for a poster presentation at the 2017 IOC World Conference on Injuries and Illness in Sports in Monaco. IOC consensus work on female athlete injury prevention includes ISEPA-affiliated contributors.
• ESSKA (European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESSKA's rehabilitation committee includes participation from ISEPA members, specifically Dr. Alexandre Rambaud. This connection supports knowledge exchange in sports medicine and rehabilitation between the two professional bodies.
• UTC ImagingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUTC Imaging is a key sponsor of ISEPA. The sponsorship provides UTC Imaging with visibility at ISEPA events, on the ISEPA website, and access to ISEPA's global sports physiotherapy community as potential customers for medical imaging technology.
• KINVENTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKINVENT is a key sponsor of ISEPA. KINVENT produces biomechanical assessment equipment for sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The sponsorship provides brand visibility with ISEPA's global audience of sports physiotherapists.
• The Running ClinicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Running Clinic is a key sponsor of ISEPA. The Running Clinic provides evidence-based education for healthcare professionals in running injury prevention and treatment. The sponsorship provides visibility among ISEPA's sports physiotherapy community.
• Academia Clinics EspriegueiraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademia Clinics Espriegueira is a key sponsor of ISEPA. The sponsorship provides visibility to ISEPA's global sports physiotherapy community for this sports medicine and physiotherapy clinic based in Portugal.
• White Leaf SolutionsminorOthersWhite Leaf Solutions designed and developed the new ISEPA brand and website, which launched in 2025 to coincide with ISEPA's 25th anniversary. The company is credited as the website developer for ifspt.org.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA): NATA is a large US-based professional membership association for athletic trainers with education, certification and clinical practice components directly analogous to ISEPA's RISPT, e-learning CPD and member services. It is comparable as a national-scale model for how a sports-focused allied-health professional body can scale credentialing, education and advocacy.
• World Physiotherapy: World Physiotherapy is the global body for the physiotherapy profession and the recognised parent/affiliated organisation of which ISEPA operates as a sports and exercise subgroup. It is directly comparable as the overarching federation within which ISEPA sits and aligns its competency, advocacy and credentialing activity.
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): APTA is the US national physiotherapy member organisation and a constituent of World Physiotherapy, making it a structural peer of ISEPA's 40 national member organisations. It operates a sports physical therapy section, journals, credentialing pathways and education events that mirror ISEPA's federated offerings at national scale.
• International Olympic Committee Medical Commission: The IOC Medical Commission is the elite-sport policy and research body that already funds ISEPA-affiliated research and consensus work on female athlete injury prevention. It is comparable as a global authority setting sports medicine and physiotherapy-relevant standards that interact with ISEPA's competency and credentialing programmes.
• European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA): ESSKA is a European medical society that overlaps with ISEPA in sports injury and rehabilitation content, and already partners with ISEPA members on its rehabilitation committee. It is a peer in the sense that it sets standards, runs congresses and curates guidelines relevant to sports physiotherapy practice.

Others

• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): WADA is the global anti-doping and integrity body that, like ISEPA, operates as a recognised international federation-adjacent authority setting standards and coordinating action across national member organisations. It is comparable as an adjacent governance-and-standards-setting entity that sports physiotherapists interact with via athlete care pathways.

Emerging players

• International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH): ISPAH is an international organisation advancing research and policy on physical activity and health, partially overlapping with ISEPA's broadened 'exercise' remit post-2025 rebrand. It is comparable as a federation-style body convening researchers, practitioners and policy stakeholders around exercise-related health outcomes.
• International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE): ICCE is an international federation of national coaching and coach education bodies that, like ISEPA, coordinates standards, accreditation and continuing professional development across many countries. It is comparable as a federation-style body that ISEPA could partner with — and is structurally modelled against — for cross-sport workforce credentialing.

Direct peers

• World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT): WFATT is an international federation coordinating national athletic training and therapy organisations across multiple countries, analogous to ISEPA's role for sports physiotherapists. The two are structurally comparable as global, member-organisation-based federations serving athletes and active populations with credentialing, education and standards-setting mandates.
• Society of Sports Therapists (UK): The Society of Sports Therapists is a UK-based professional body focused on sports therapy and rehabilitation, providing membership, education and a practitioner register analogous to ISEPA's RISPT programme. It is a direct functional peer serving the same sports physiotherapy/therapy practitioner niche, albeit primarily within the UK.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-federation-of-sports-physical-therapy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy