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Introduzione. Essere attivi durante l’adolescenza predispone ad uno stile di vita attivo in età adulta. L’insegnamento dell’Educazione Fisica (EF), contribuendo ad avvicinare i giovanissimi all’attività motoria e al piacere di praticarla, può costituire uno strumento strategico di promozione del movimento. Spesso però il tempo e le strutture riservate a questa disciplina risultano non sufficienti, e talvolta le lezioni vengono focalizzate più sul gesto tecnico che sui benefici dell’esercizio fisico. Il Gruppo di Lavoro “Scienze motorie per la Salute” (GSMS) della SItI ha effettuato uno studio multicentrico finalizzato alla valutazione dell’insegnamento di EF nella scuola superiore di secondo grado basato sulla raccolta retrospettiva di informazioni tra gli studenti universitari. Metodi. Agli studenti iscritti al primo anno di diversi corsi di laurea in 14 atenei è stato somministrato un questionario inerente esperienze e opinioni in merito all’insegnamento ricevuto negli ultimi due anni della scuola superiore e l’attuale pratica di attività fisica (AF). Risultati. Su un totale di 7.033 rispondenti (41.3% M, 58.7% F, età mediana 19), il 42.2% considera l’EF come momento di svago eil 51.7% riporta solo lezioni pratiche. La disponibilità di palestre e attrezzature è dichiarata da circa il 90% degli studenti. Il 51.6% del campione riporta la partecipazione ad attività motoria extracurriculare, che risulta associata (OR 1.689, IC95% 1.519-1.878) con l’attuale pratica di AF, dichiarata dal 58.1% degli studenti. Conclusioni. Sebbene strutture e attrezzature risultino disponibili in quasi tutto il territorio, alcune criticità emergono riguardo le modalità di insegnamento. L’offerta di AF in orario extrascolastico sembra una strategia promettente per promuovere il mantenimento di uno stile di vita attivo.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, students from Movement Science (MS) Degree Courses often work in sport and recreational facilities before graduation. OBJECTIVE: The employment conditions of Movement Science students working in sport/recreational facilities were investigated, and the management and structural features of the facilities were evaluated, including safety policies. Regional differences were also considered. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to undergraduate and graduate students (N= 4,217) in 17 Universities. Students’ perceptions of the quality of the facilities where they had been employed was evaluated using multivariate analysis. A latent class model with covariates was used to evaluate how variables relating to participants, employment facilities or regions influence their opinions. RESULTS: A high proportion of MS students were employed in sporting facilities (undergraduate level: 33%; graduate level: 55%), in most cases without any formal employment contracts. Both the structural and hygienic features, as well as the professional knowledge of the staff, were considered good to excellent by the majority of participants (about 70%). Communication of the basic behavioral rules was considered adequate by 61–63% of undergraduate students and 71–75% of graduate students, while nearly half of the participants were dissatisfied with the staff safety training. Correlations between the perceived good structural/hygienic conditions, the presence of regulations and training programs for the staff were investigated. Differences regarding occupational level and safety training among different regions of Italy were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Italian students in Movement Science were easily employed in sport/recreational facilities, but frequently without a formal contract. This is a consequence of the lack of specific regulations in the field of recreational/leisure employment and could have negative implications, especially in terms of safety.

Objectives: to point out weaknesses and strengths of Physical Education (PE) in the Italian school system on the basis of the students’ opinions. Methods: an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire regarding experiences and opinions about PE learned in the last two years of secondary school was distributed to a sample of freshmen from 14 Italian prouniversities. Differences among groups coming from North, Center and South regions of Italy were also analyzed. Results: for 42,2% of the 7.033 participants the principal aim pursued during PE lessons was mainly recreation. More than the half of the students (62,2%) reported none or modest influence of PE on current personal Physical Activity (PA) practice. 67,2% of the sample is satisfied of PE received, mainly in Northern regions. Discussion and conclusions: there is a need to enhance PE teaching in the Italian school through an increase of time allocated to PE lessons and through their assignment to well-trained teachers.