Interrelations between access to urban sports structures and equipment, physical activity and the legacy of mega sporting events in Brazil

Abstract

Several studies attempt to identify factors that influence the adoption, or lack thereof, of the habit of practicing physical exercises and sports. There are objective determinants related to the availability of sports practice, such as access to urban facilities and equipment for sports. Globally, governments adopt the strategy of hosting mega sporting events under the pretext of boosting the economy and promoting a legacy that, among other aspects, would leave host cities with structures and equipment built for the event that would encourage sports participation by the population. The study aimed to understand the interrelationships between the hosting of mega sporting events, the legacy of physical-sports structures, and the adoption of physical activity habits by the population in host cities. In this study, characterized as a conceptual manuscript, a strong correlation was observed between the availability of public facilities and the population's involvement in sports. Access to diversified, decentralized structures, located close to home or work, positively impacts the promotion of healthy habits and constitutes the primary factors for the implementation of effective public policies. It was also found that the structural legacy of mega sporting events for the universalization of access to sport has not been a priority in the commitments of the host cities.