The role and working conditions of Movement Science students employed in sport and recreational facilities: An Italian multicenter study

Issue title: Computer Ergonomics: The State of the Art

Guest editors: Thomas J. Albin

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gallè, Francesca^a | Di Onofrio, Valeria^a | Arpesella, Marisa^b | Bacci, Silvia^c | Bianco, Antonino^d | Brandi, Giorgio^e | Bruno, Stefania^f | Anastasi, Daniela^g | Carraro, Elisabetta^h | Flacco, Maria Elenaⁱ | Giampaoli, Saverio^j | Izzotti, Alberto^k | Leoni, Erica^l | Bertoncello, Chiara^m | Minelli, Lilianaⁿ | Napoli, Christian^o | Nobile, Carmelo^p | Pasquarella, Cesira^q | Liguori, Giorgio^{a; *} | Romano Spica, Vincenzo^j | SItI Working Group on Movement Sciences for Health (GMSH)

Affiliations: [a] Department of Movement and Well-being Sciences, University “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy | [b] Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy | [c] Department of Economics, Finance and Statistics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy | [d] Department of Law, Society and Sport Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy | [e] Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University “Carlo Bo”, Urbino, Italy | [f] Institute of Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy | [g] Department of Movement Sciences and Health, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy | [h] Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy | [i] Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy | [j] Department of Health Sciences, University “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy | [k] Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy | [l] Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy | [m] Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy | [n] Department of Medical and Surgery Specialties and Public Health, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy | [o] Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy | [p] Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy | [q] Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Prof. Giorgio Liguori, Chair of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Movement and Well-being Sciences, University “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40 – 80133,Naples, Italy. Tel./Fax: +39 0815474790; E-mail: giorgio.liguori@uniparthenope.it

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Movement science degree, university students, job market, sport/recreational facilities, safety regulations, safety training, hygienic requirements

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-152116

Journal: Work, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 385-392, 2015