Work Package - 2
General Situation Analysis (WP2)
The Sports4Fun (S4F) project carried out research in Italy, Greece, Slovenia and Türkiye to investigate patterns of physical (in)activity, motivations, and barriers related to Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA).
More than 1,000 survey responses were collected.
Complemented by focus groups and interviews with vulnerable groups (women, elderly, migrants, persons with disabilities, low-income individuals).
Objective: To provide an evidence base for designing inclusive pilot activities in WP3.
Country Findings
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High sedentary rates: 35% completely inactive.
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Regional disparities: South 47.5% sedentary, North 24.3%.
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Women’s participation declines sharply with age.
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Key barriers: lack of safe spaces, limited accessibility, economic constraints.
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Trend: Awareness of benefits exists, but behaviour change remains limited.
Cross-Cutting Insights
Young people tend to be more physically active, while older adults with chronic conditions are the least active. Women face cultural and societal barriers to participation, particularly in Türkiye and Italy, and persons with disabilities often struggle with inaccessible facilities and a lack of adapted programmes. The main drivers that encourage physical activity include affordable and accessible facilities, structured programmes, social support, and mental health benefits. On the other hand, the main obstacles limiting participation are high costs, lack of time, health issues, safety concerns, and low motivation.
Recommendations for WP3
The recommendations highlight the need to target vulnerable groups such as women, elderly individuals, migrants, persons with disabilities, and low-income populations. To ensure inclusiveness, small-scale, community-based activities with low entry barriers should be developed, while prioritising affordable or free facilities to enhance accessibility. Strong partnerships with NGOs and municipalities are essential to expand outreach and engagement. In addition, country-specific adaptations should be considered, such as improving transport accessibility in Türkiye, addressing urban safety concerns in Greece, and supporting habit formation among the elderly in Italy and Slovenia.
Conclusion
WP2 provided a comprehensive overview of HEPA patterns, barriers, and motivations across four countries. The findings serve as a foundation for WP3, guiding the design of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable sport programmes tailored to diverse population needs.