ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC ON SPORTS PRACTICE IN ITALY: REFLECTIONS, CONSEQUENCES AND PERSPECTIVES

Measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) led to social withdrawal and a restriction in going out for all age groups. Physical exercise has been drastically restricted or stopped, with major consequences for physical and mental well-being. This can have a negative effect on body image, especially in the younger population, leading to a lower level of self-efficacy and self-esteem. Many opportunities to be physically active have been discontinued (Hall et al., 2020) with potential consequences for children and adults. Indeed, physical inactivity can have a negative effect on body image, especially in the younger population (Gaddad et al., 2018) with serious consequences in self-efficacy and school performance (D'Amico & Cardaci, 2003). In older adults, increased sedentary time may lead to increased risk of poor health and well-being when associated with isolation (Schrempft et al., 2019; Herbolsheimer et al., 2018). Many research activities in the field of social sciences and biology have analysed the benefits of physical activity on psychophysical well-being. There is a large body of scientific evidence showing that exercise decreases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and some forms of cancer, as well as contributing to the prevention of obesity and diabetes (Warburton, Nicol, Bredin, 2006). Furthermore, exercise has significant effects on mental health (Stuart, 2016); in particular, the benefits of sport in counteracting the development of states of anxiety (Anderson, Shivakumar, 2013) and depression (Craft, Perna, 2004) have been explored. We can state that sport is an important moderating variable in the perception of individual well-being, the integrity of which depends on numerous environmental and personal factors that, all together, determine our state of health. Through this study, we aimed to analyse how the pandemic changed the sports practice habits of the Italian population during the period of social restrictions. The O.P.E.S., Organizzazione per l'Educazione allo Sport (Organization for Sports Education), distributed and collected the results of a social survey questionnaire which reached hundreds of people who practise sport, collecting data both on users and on changes in the supply of services. This article scientifically analyses the results of the questionnaire, and on these findings evaluations on the impact of the COVID 19 emergency period on sport practice in Italy are hence proposed