(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 25 - 90.8% of Italians, even those who do not practice physical exercise, believe that sports practice is fundamental for physical and mental health and 8 out of 10 are convinced that it is an effective prevention tool against diseases.
Nearly 79% would like to do more physical activity than they can actually do, and many report doing more exercise than ever before.
It emerges from a research conducted by Human Highway for Assosalute, the national self-medication drug association, part of Federchimica, presented at the event "Health and movement: from prevention to remedies for minor ailments" with the participation of Michelangelo Giampietro, Specialist in Sports Medicine and in Food Sciences.
Over the last 10 years the share of those who practice sports has steadily increased: from 59.3% in 2012, to 64.2% in 2017 up to 69.2% in 2022.
If the lockdown was a turning point that, from on the one hand, it has increased this awareness, on the other it has represented a forced stop which today sees 42% of casual athletes struggling to resume the pre-pandemic rhythms.
Also complicit in working rhythms, which according to 6 out of 10 Italians prevent them from moving more than they can, despite the intention.
The share of those who do not play sports remains high, higher for women than for men (38.2% against 23.5%) and for middle-aged people (40.7% between 45 and 54 years, 37.5% for gliover 55) and those over 65 (54.8%).
The main inhibitors are poor patience / persistence, laziness and lack of free time.
(HANDLE).
