The conference was preceded by a blood donation in favour of the provincial AVIS of Ferrara by some civilian and military athletes. The convention was preceded by a blood donation that involved athletes and sports enthusiasts, both civilian and military, who wanted to demonstrate, many for the first time, a personal contribution of great civic and social value. The conference, aimed primarily at military and civilian personnel working in Poggio Renatico, had the objective of stimulating and spreading a “culture” of sports practice which, in addition to promoting behaviours and lifestyles that help improve commitment, determination, self-esteem, and the ability to achieve goals, produces clear health benefits. Among those participating in the event were the President of the Provincial AVIS of Ferrara, Dr. Florio Ghinelli, Dr. Giovanni Grazzi, Researcher in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ferrara, Dr. Luciana Pareschi, provincial delegate for CONI, and Dr. Marina Zanardi, World Champion in her category in 2012 for the 100 km and testimonial for the “6th Spring Run”. Also present among the athlete blood donors were Michele Savriè, World Champion rower, Pierre Calderoni, junior World Champion rower and Paralympic athlete at London 2012, and Chiara Manfredini, junior World Champion snowshoe runner.
The proceedings were opened by Air Brigadier General Paolo Mazzi, Commander of the Operations Preparation Department and Deputy Commander of the COA, who highlighted the importance and awareness, acquired over time, of physical fitness as a resource for every single soldier. Dr. Grazzi, in turn, reiterated how a healthy lifestyle, combined with sports activities, can be a decisive factor in preventing a wide range of cardiovascular pathologies, and not only. Professor Ghinelli, on the other hand, explained how to reconcile sports activity with blood donation and what precautions athletes should adopt in the days immediately following donation to metabolise the effects of the blood draw without any impact.
In his concluding remarks, Air Force Lieutenant General Mirco Zuliani, Commander of COA, thanked the guests and highlighted the importance of these collaborative events, which, on the one hand, strengthen the excellent relations between the Air Force, CONI, and the provincial AVIS of Ferrara, and, on the other, promote valuable sporting, ethical, and social behaviours.
