The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Outdoor Physical Activities for People with Disabilities, including the Risks for Psychophysical Well-Being

Giacomo Farì (), Pietro Fiore, Vincenzo Ricci, Alessandra Zonno, Marko Joksimovic, Domenico Petruzzella, Giulia Gioia, Denise Giarrizzo, Savino Mastrorillo, Brunella Coretti, Francesco Paolo Bianchi, Francesco Agostini, Antonella Muscella, Maurizio Ranieri and Marisa Megna
Additional contact information
Giacomo Farì: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Pietro Fiore: Neurorehabilitation Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Vincenzo Ricci: Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy
Alessandra Zonno: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Marko Joksimovic: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
Domenico Petruzzella: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Giulia Gioia: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Denise Giarrizzo: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Savino Mastrorillo: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Brunella Coretti: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Francesco Paolo Bianchi: Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Francesco Agostini: Department of Anatomical and Histological Sciences, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonella Muscella: Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies (Di.S.Te.B.A.), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Maurizio Ranieri: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy
Marisa Megna: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Aldo Moro University, Piazza Umberto I, 70121 Bari, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-11

Abstract: The restrictions and social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have created many obstacles in the practice of outdoor physical activity (OPA) throughout the world, particularly for the most vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of pandemic-related limitations on the OPA of an Italian cohort of people with disabilities practicing sports. A retrospective observational study was conducted using an online survey. The questionnaire was distributed to 121 disabled athletes who practiced different outdoor physical activities. A total of 96 completed the survey, which collected demographic data, information about daily outdoor physical activity and sports habits, and about physical and psychological health before and during the pandemic. The frequency of daily OPA per week, along with the hours of physical activity, significantly decreased during the pandemic compared to those of the year before ( p < 0.0001). A statistically significant deterioration was also found in the physical and mental well-being of disabled athletes during the pandemic ( p < 0.0001) when compared to those from the year before the advent of COVID-19. This research demonstrated the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions on OPA levels and on the physical and mental well-being of athletes with disabilities. It also highlighted a new challenge regarding the sustainability and integration of the national health system, demonstrating the necessity of improving the consistent accessibility of people with disabilities to OPA, both under normal conditions and emergency situations, in order to guarantee their psychophysical well-being.

Keywords: COVID-19; outdoor physical activity; disability; accessibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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