{"id":4409,"date":"2026-05-06T12:40:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T10:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/ceo\/fernandez-pena-analyzes-the-challenges-of-university-sport-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-saf\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T13:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:04:14","slug":"fernandez-pena-analyzes-the-challenges-of-university-sport-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-saf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webs.uab.cat\/ceo\/en\/fernandez-pena-analyzes-the-challenges-of-university-sport-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-saf\/","title":{"rendered":"Fern\u00e1ndez Pe\u00f1a Analyzes the Challenges of University Sport on the 40th Anniversary of SAF"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Director of the Olympic Studies Centre at the Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/a> took part in a strategic debate on the social impact of physical activity.<\/h3>\n\n

The Rectorate\u2019s assembly hall hosted the round table \u201cPhysical activity and sport in the university of the future: challenges, opportunities and social impact,\u201d one of the central events held to commemorate the four decades of the Servei d’Actividad F\u00edsica (SAF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Emilio Fern\u00e1ndez Pe\u00f1a, Director of CEO-UAB and researcher at IRE-UAB<\/a>, participated in a debate that reflected on the strategic role of sport within the university system and the key changes expected in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n

During the session, emphasis was placed on how sports practice contributes to building active, healthy and socially engaged communities.<\/p>\n\n

The debate, which also featured the participation of the Director of SAF and IRE member Agust\u00ed Serra i Curtichs, addressed issues such as the opportunity represented by the medical prescription of physical activity recently approved by the Government of Catalonia. Likewise, experts discussed the future inclusion of university sport in the forthcoming Sports Law.<\/p>\n\n

Another key point of the discussion was the scientific evidence linking physical activity to improved academic performance among students.<\/p>\n\n

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\u201cFor well-rounded human beings to exist, it is important for sport to be integrated into the university curriculum. This concept comes from Olympism and, as Pierre de Coubertin said, university students will not be complete until their studies are combined with sports practice.”<\/p>\n\u2014 Emilio Fern\u00e1ndez Pe\u00f1a, director of CEO<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n

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This reflection on the future comes at a time of consolidation for SAF, which is celebrating 40 years as a benchmark, with 10,000 subscribers and sustainable facilities covering 30,000 square metres.<\/p>\n\n

The service, a pioneer in programmes such as Tutoresport<\/a> for elite athletes, will conclude its programme of events in May with the presentation of a study on the impact of sport on campus.<\/p>\n\n

The anniversary reaffirms the University\u2019s commitment to a model in which sports management and research work hand in hand to address today\u2019s social challenges.<\/p>\n\n

Physical Activity and Sport in the University of the Future: Challenges, Opportunities and Social Impact<\/h2>\n\n
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