Monday 28 September 2026 at the Parco Tecnologico della Sardegna. The second event follows in Sassari on 5 October.
Orienteering meets the world of scientific research. On Monday 28 September 2026, starting at 9:30 a.m., the Parco Tecnologico della Sardegna hosts the conference “Orienteering 4 Research: Territory, research, sport and innovation”, promoted by Sardegna Ricerche as part of the Sport and Wellness 4 Research programme.
The initiative aims to build a network of strategic partnerships between sport, wellness and research, and to show how orienteering, which combines physical activity and cognitive stimulation in a natural environment, can become a tool for prevention, wellbeing and care.
The programme
After the welcome coffee and registration, the proceedings open at 10:00 a.m. with institutional greetings from Giuseppe Serra (Director of the Science and Technology Park Service of Sardegna Ricerche), Walter Cabasino (President of the Gutturu Mannu Park and Mayor of Pula), Elisabetta Loi (Deputy Mayor) and Alfio Giomi (President of FISO).
Five talks will follow:
- Marco Della Vedova (Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg): “Orienteering and spatial, natural and artificial intelligence”
- Filippo Tocco and Michele Ruggiu (University of Cagliari): physiological adjustments during simultaneous motor and cognitive stress, comparing orienteers and non-orienteers
- Lucia Cugusi (University of Sassari): the effects of orienteering on brain health and cognitive function, with new perspectives for outdoor activities in neurological conditions
- Dario Maximilian Spera and Vincenzo Piras (I.S.T.R.I.D.): “H.I.T. technology at the service of sport”
- Federico Schena and Giorgio Storti (University of Verona): orienteering as a cognitive-motor stimulus suited to all stages of life, from school learning to healthy ageing
From theory to practice: the inauguration of Code Hunter
From 12:00 to 1:15 p.m., participants will move from theory to hands-on experience with the inauguration of Code Hunter, a practical trial of the orienteering course designed for students and teachers. The event will close at 1:30 p.m. with a light lunch offered to all attendees.
On 5 October the event moves to Sassari
The project continues on Monday 5 October 2026 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) with the round table “Sport and exercise in the natural environment as tools for prevention, wellbeing and care”, held in the Aula Magna of the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Sassari (Viale San Pietro 43/B).
The programme features talks by Lucia Ventura and Davide Natale (University of Sassari) and by Filippo Tocco and Michele Ruggiu (University of Cagliari). The special guest will be Daniel Hubmann, multiple Swiss orienteering world champion, as international testimonial. After the audience Q&A, the winners of the “Orienteering 4 Research” 2026 call for entries will receive their awards.
Who is behind the initiative
The event is organised by Sardegna Ricerche with the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, in collaboration with the Universities of Cagliari, Sassari and Verona, the Federazione Italiana Sport Orientamento (Delegazione Sardegna), the Municipality of Pula, the Gutturu Mannu Park and Park World Tour Italia.
Visit these links for more information: