Sport, Physical Activity and Rehabilitation. the Impact of Parkrun to Health and Body Wellness. an Exploratory Study in Italy

Jogging and running demonstrated the scope of these events is physical activity promotion (Lane A, Murphy N, Bauman A, et al. 2012) and working as a motivator to improve physical activity (Bauman et al. 2009). Many participants need reinforcement strategies to maintain “body activity” after the events. Parkrun could improve a potential health benefit: a free weekly timed 5-kilometers run, that takes place in parks, every saturday morning. Parkrun promote “physical activity” and “community health and wellness spirit” with daily body workout (Stevinson C., Hickson M., 2013). This study try to explore the potential of parkrun event as a health intervention of the body workout and rehabilitation by observation of initial running status of regular frequenters. The research will be conducted in Italy, with a qualitative methodology: case study approach, direct observation and structured in-depth interviews (Yin 2013). A set of 40 interviews with the members of parkrun will be also conducted in Italy in two cities: Palermo (Uditore parkrun) and Milano (Milano nord parkrun) that could show the interests of the impact community participation event to body workout and wellness mental health of regular runners. All participants could register online, where they are issued with a barcode (no bar code no results). The intersection of the data obtained could be offer the possibility to understand the most significant knowledge about new behaviours about healthy, sport activity and wellness that emerging in the vital world of parkrun in Italy.