Eumetra research reveals that for 64% of Italians sport is a resource for mental well-being
In an Italy increasingly attentive to psychophysical well-being, sport becomes a medicine for the mind. This is what emerges from the “Sports & Consumption” study carried out byEumetra Institute of Social Research and Marketingaccording to which the 64% of Italians practice physical activity mainly to improve your mental well-being. The percentage rises to 68% among under 25underlining how the new generation considers movement essential not only for the body, but also for psychological balance.
“In a complex and frenetic world, physical activity represents a sort of personal refuge to find serenity and well-being,” he declared Matteo LucchiCEO of Eumetra. Lucchi’s words reflect the tendency of Italians to seek in sport a way to reconnect with themselves and face daily challenges with greater balance.
Yoga and pilates at the top: the most practiced disciplines
The focus on psychophysical well-being
Surprisingly, the most practiced activities in Italy are no longer traditional team sports such as five-a-side football, but disciplines such as yoga and the pilateswhich focus on the care of the body and mind. According to the survey, well the 12% of Italians practice yoga or pilates at least once a week, surpassing other popular activities such as swimming and soccer.
These disciplines, oriented to psychophysical well-beingrespond to the growing demand for activities that help reduce stress and improve concentration. Their popularity reflects the need for a more balanced lifestyle, combining physical movement with relaxation and stress management practices.
The identikits of Italian athletes: four different profiles
The sports “fanatic”: a cult of performance
Eumetra research outlines four main identikits among Italian athletes, showing how sport is experienced in different ways depending on sociodemographic characteristics. The first group, which represents the 41% of athletesis that of “fanatics”composed mainly of men around the age of 40, who live in urban contexts. These athletes dedicate themselves consistently to various disciplines, often sacrificing their lunch break, and place particular emphasis on competition and the improvement of performance physical.
Also pay attention to diet“fanatics” see sport as a way to push their physical and mental limits. This category represents the most assiduous segment, always looking for new challenges to overcome itself.
The young enthusiast: performance and improvement
Il 17% of Italians who practice sports fall into the category of young enthusiastsmainly under 25, for whom sport is synonymous with physical prowess and personal growth. The young people in this group prefer individual disciplines and train driven by passion and the desire to improve, approaching each session as an opportunity to strengthen their identity and their body.
For this age group, physical activity becomes a form of personal expression, a tool for building confidence and developing self-confidence.
The “repairer”: sport for physical and aesthetic well-being
The category of repairerswhich includes approximately the 23% of athletes, is largely composed of donne. For these people, sport is mainly linked to body and health care. Many of them choose to practice physical activity not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for health reasonsconsidering it a time to relax and take care of yourself.
These women, less satisfied with their appearance, find sport a tool for improve your well-being and fight stress by making physical activity a moment of leisure and self-care.
The need to move: “mature” athletes
Finally, the 20% of Italian athletes is made up of people over 55for whom movement is a necessity to stay fit and prevent age-related problems. This group, made up of individuals who are still active, considers sport a way to prevent ailments and maintain a dynamic lifestyle.
For many of them, physical activity also represents an opportunity to socialization and an opportunity to spend time in company, combining the pleasure of movement with sharing and psychological well-being.
The importance of mental well-being for Italians
Sport as an antidote to stress
Eumetra data highlights how sport is now seen as a real medicine for the mind. With 64% of Italians practicing it to improve their mental well-being, a new vision of physical activity emerges, which is no longer limited to body care but is perceived as a powerful antidote to stress and daily tensions.
This trend is particularly evident among younger people, for whom sport is a tool mental balance which allows us to face the challenges of an increasingly complex and frenetic society. Yoga and pilates, with their calming effects, seem to respond perfectly to this need for serenity and concentration.
The diversity of the disciplines practiced and the social impact of sport
From competition to self-care
The study highlights a transformation in the sporting habits of Italians, who embrace different disciplines depending on their personal goals. From competition to self-care, physical activity takes varied forms and offers opportunities for both physical and mental growth.
For those driven by the desire to challenge themselves, practicing sports such as crossfit or triathlon represents a relief valve and an opportunity to improve. On the contrary, those seeking relaxation and concentration find in yoga or pilates a way to chase away worries and find deep contact with themselves.
Conclusions: sport as an essential part of well-being
Eumetra’s investigation demonstrates how sport is today a fundamental component of mental well-being and physique of Italians, who consider it a tool to face daily life with greater balance. On the one hand, the importance of sporting discipline for physical and mental health is affirmed; on the other, a new vision of sport emerges, which transcends competition to embrace the concept of self-care.
Link: Ministry of Health – Wellbeing and physical activity
