TY - JOUR
T1 - The role and working conditions of Movement Science students employed in sport and recreational facilities
T2 - An Italian multicenter study
AU - Gallè, Francesca
AU - Di Onofrio, Valeria
AU - Arpesella, Marisa
AU - Bacci, Silvia
AU - Bianco, Antonino
AU - Brandi, Giorgio
AU - Bruno, Stefania
AU - Anastasi, Daniela
AU - Carraro, Elisabetta
AU - Elena Flacco, Maria
AU - Giampaoli, Saverio
AU - Izzotti, Alberto
AU - Leoni, Erica
AU - Bertoncello, Chiara
AU - Minelli, Liliana
AU - Napoli, Christian
AU - Nobile, Carmelo
AU - Pasquarella, Cesira
AU - Liguori, Giorgio
AU - Spica, Vincenzo Romano
PY - 2015/8/3
Y1 - 2015/8/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - hygienic requirements
KW - job market
KW - Movement Science degree
KW - safety regulations
KW - safety training
KW - sport/recreational facilities
KW - university students
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U2 - 10.3233/WOR-152116
DO - 10.3233/WOR-152116
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84946237319
VL - 52
SP - 385
EP - 392
JO - Work
JF - Work
SN - 1051-9815
IS - 2
ER -