A compass, a map, and ten days to explore Sardinia through the lens of scientific research. From September 28th to October 9th, Orienteering 4 Research Sardinia concludes with a program of events that will combine orienteering, promotion, innovation, and outreach in a journey across the island.
A project born from the collaboration between Sardegna Ricerche and PWT Italia, one of Italy's most successful companies in the discipline. Committed to revitalizing the Sardinia Science and Technology Park, since 2023 the regional agency has promoted research on the relationship between physical exercise, the environment, and well-being, demonstrating how sport can be a strategic lever for health and active aging. This project is supported by the Region, the Municipality of Pula, the Gutturu Mannu Regional Natural Park, the Universities of Cagliari, Sassari, and Verona, Sport e Salute, and FISO Sardegna.
RESEARCH AND DISSEMINATION: FROM SWEDEN TO SARDINIA
During the European Week of Sport, on September 28th (starting at 9:30 a.m.) in Pula, at the Sardinia Technology Park, the conference "Orienteering 4 Research: Territory, Research, Sport and Innovation" will be held. The conference will feature presentations from the Universities of Cagliari and Sassari, along with international speakers, cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, and coaches.
The four permanent "Code Hunter" facilities built in Pula, in the Rio Pula river area, Batteria Boggio, and Piscinamanna, will be inaugurated with a practical test for students and teachers. These facilities are among the main projects planned by Orienteering 4 Research for the implementation of the cartography of the Gutturu Mannu Park. With a single, free app developed by PWT Italia, the technology transforms each location into a low-impact challenge, borrowing the principles and values of orienteering: anyone can register and, after finding the nearest facility, use the relevant map to get involved, search for checkpoints in the area, interpreting the symbols related to the naturalistic context and using a compass. Finally, in Sassari (October 5), a round table will be held on research and the evolution of cognitive tests for seniors.
The conferences will be enriched by the experience gained in July at the O-Conference in Gothenburg, the first international conference on orienteering in scientific research and higher education, organized by Chalmers University of Technology. In Sweden, Sardegna Ricerche outlined its path to establishing itself as a cutting-edge international center in the field of sports science and healthy aging, accrediting Sardinia as a global living lab for the development of new models of health and quality of life. Held during O-Ringen, a five-stage race with 125,000 orienteers, the conference featured speakers including Dario Carbini, Project Manager of Sardegna Ricerche's O4R Sardinia project; Professors Lucia Cugusi and Andrea Manca of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sassari; and Jessica Lucchetta, a researcher at the University of Trento and multiple PWT Italia champion orienteer. The conference was coordinated by Gabriele Viale, Team Manager of PWT Italia.
RACES OPEN TO ALL
The project will culminate with the Five + Five Sardinia "II Memorial Mattia Debertolis" event, from September 28th to October 9th, organized by PWT Italia and recognized by the Italian Orienteering Federation as an International Open Meeting. The host locations will be: Monte Claro Park in Cagliari (Sunset Sprint, September 29th), Piscinamanna (Sprint, September 30th), Pula's historic center (Sprint, October 1st), Bosco di Is Arenas (Middle, two stages, October 3rd), Badesi 's historic center (Sunset Sprint, October 5th), Baia Paradiso (Middle, October 6th), Bosco di Sorso (Middle, two stages, October 7th), Castelsardo (Sprint, October 8th), and Alghero Grand Prix (Sprint, October 9th), in memory of Mattia Debertolis, a young athlete from the National Team and PWT Italia who passed away prematurely.
in 2025. Even the curious and newcomers will be able to discover orienteering by registering in open mode. Acclaimed Sardinian artist Roberto Ziranu will create exclusive artistic trophies for the elite winners of each week, along with prizes for the best athletes of the individual stages.
TRAINING AND PROMOTION MOMENTS
In addition, training courses were held for teachers, technicians, and students from high schools and universities in Cagliari and Sassari. Student events and competitions included hands-on learning sessions in Pula (CA), Cagliari, Oristano, Sassari, Badesi, and Sorso (SS) . Sardegna Ricerche also involved its employees in the Orienteering Experience, a team building program featuring outdoor sports medicine research.
To support scientific research related to orienteering, PWT Italia, in partnership with Sardegna Ricerche, the University of Cagliari, the University of Sassari, and FISO Sardegna, has also launched the Orienteering 4 Research Award, open to graduates (undergraduate and graduate), PhD students, scholarship holders, and research fellows enrolled in or having obtained their degree from the two Sardinian universities, who have conducted relevant studies. Applications must be submitted by email to info@orienteering.it no later than September 21st. The competition awards four prizes in total: two senior prizes (€1,500 each) and two junior prizes (€500 each). For more information, visit orienteering.it.
THE STATEMENTS
"The relationship between physical activity, the environment, and health is a field of research that closely affects people's quality of life and is even more valuable given the demographic changes that are also affecting Sardinia. Investing in research in this area means increasing our knowledge of prevention throughout life and putting it to use in public policy. At the same time, the development of new solutions can open up opportunities for our economic system, fostering the emergence of innovative activities and services related to well-being. The Science and Technology Park can play a key role in this process, connecting research, experimentation, and expertise. Sardinia, given its environmental and territorial characteristics and the quality of its scientific professionals, has all the necessary conditions to become a point of reference in this field," stated Giuseppe Meloni, Regional Councilor for Planning and Budget.
"The Science and Technology Park will be the focus of a series of sporting events and important conferences on sport and health. These are strategic issues for Sardegna Ricerche, which is engaged in a comprehensive project to revitalize the Science Park and is convinced that well-being and active aging are key issues both for public health and for opening new markets," emphasized Carmen Atzori, General Manager of Sardegna Ricerche.
(Unioneonline)
