Speaker
Description
The effect of Covid-19 has led to numerous changes in young people’s social and daily habits, including those related to sport and physical activity, which can affect their health.
Our research, carried out by sociological, psychological and medical researchers, aimed to analyze some indirect effects of the pandemic on university student cohorts, seeking to understand if and how the limitations imposed by the pandemic constraints have affected several everyday habits and health behaviours. Our theoretical frame was the sociological theories of the lifestyles as a set of socio-cultural models and practices of social action in everyday life.
The study was conducted in Central Italy (Marche region - 9,400 sq km, 1,500,000 inhabitants). Applying a questionnaire to a sample of 500 young university students, we measured the time spent in the company of others, time dedicated to sports and physical activity, and time spent in front of a screen. 290 young people filled in the questionnaire. In the statistical analysis we found relationships between the variables identified, in particular sport/physical activity and screen time were indirectly correlated, while sport/physical activity and social activities were directly correlated. These correlations showed changes with respect to the lifestyles ‘normally’ configured in the pre-pandemic time.
Our study highlights the need to acknowledge the impact that the pandemic, due to the closure of sports facilities and university campuses, has had on the young student population, whose healthy habits have been negatively affected by restrictions in social as well as sport and recreational activities.
