title: The role and working conditions of Movement Science students employed in sport and recreational facilities: An Italian multicenter study.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Well-being Sciences, University "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gallè
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Well-being Sciences, University "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Onofrio
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arpesella
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Finance and Statistics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.affiliation: Department of Law, Society and Sport Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brandi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Sciences and Health, University of Cassino, Cassino, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anastasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Flacco
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giampaoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izzotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertoncello
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgery Specialties and Public Health, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesira
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pasquarella
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Well-being Sciences, University "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liguori
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Romano Spica
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004500:Education, Graduate; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007558:Italy; D018953:Kinesiology, Applied; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000193:education; D012380:Role; D013177:Sports; D000072264:Sports and Recreational Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Movement science degree; hygienic requirements; job market; safety regulations; safety training; sport/recreational facilities; university students