Benefits Of Outdoor Recreation Research Articles

Exploring the benefits of outdoor activity participation in national parks: a case study of the Peak District National Park, England

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the role that regular outdoor activity participation in national parks plays in subjective wellbeing (SWB). It also considers the influences on SWB, including the national park environment, resilience-building, coping skills, mental health and stress alleviation. There is a wealth of research on the benefits of outdoor recreation in natural settings, yet studies which specifically examine the impacts of regular activity engagement in national parks are scarcer. Using the Peak District National Park (England) as a case study, fifteen online stakeholder interviews were conducted, probing participants about their outdoor recreation experiences both during and before the onset of the pandemic. Findings suggest that frequent outdoor activity participation in the Park positively influences coping, resilience and subjective wellbeing, and, relatedly, helps to improve mental health, and alleviate stress. These outcomes are valuable for dealing with the vicissitudes of everyday life and in facilitating long term SWB.

Differential response of three large mammal species to human recreation in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA

Outdoor recreation benefits local economies, environmental education, and public health and wellbeing, but it can also adversely affect local ecosystems. Human presence in natural areas alters feeding and reproductive behaviors, physiology, and population structure in many wildlife species, often resulting in cascading effects through entire ecological communities. As outdoor recreation gains popularity, existing trails are becoming overcrowded and new trails are being built to accommodate increasing use. Many recreation impact studies have investigated effects of the presence or absence of humans while few have investigated recreation effects on wildlife using a gradient of disturbance intensity. We used camera traps to quantify trail use by humans and mid- to large-sized mammals in an area of intense outdoor recreation–the Upper East River Valley, Colorado, USA. We selected five trails with different types and intensities of human use and deployed six cameras on each trail for five weeks during a COVID-enhanced 2020 summer tourism season. We used occupancy models to estimate detectability and habitat use of the three most common mammal species in the study area and determined which human activities affect the habitat use patterns of each species. Human activities affected each species differently. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) tended to use areas with more vehicles, more predators, and greater distances from the trailhead, and they were more likely to be detected where there were more bikers. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were most likely to use areas where their prey species occurred, and foxes were more likely to be detected where the vegetation was shorter. Humans and their recreational activities differentially influence different species. More generally, these results reinforce that it is unlikely that a single management policy is suitable for all species and management should thus be tailored for each target species.

Sensing inclusion among visually impaired and guide runners

People with visual impairments partake in recreational running with sighted guide runners. In the Netherlands, the Running Blind foundation enables blind and visually impaired runners and their guides to experience the social and physical benefits of outdoor recreation together. While sport policies and programs in the Netherlands call for more inclusive sport practices, it is often unclear what ‘inclusion’ means for the people involved. This article explores how a sense of inclusion is constituted, experienced and reflected on within guided running. Based on three months of immersive, sensory ethnographic fieldwork in guided running, we argue that merely integrating disabled sports practitioners into mainstream, that is, ableist sporting contexts does not increase inclusion for people with different abilities. Instead, guided running ensembles challenge ‘the language of inclusion’ by showing how a sense of inclusion evolves from an empathic engagement with the environment, the people and the tethered running bodies.

National Forest Visitation Preferences and Avenues to Participation for Urban Hispanic Recreationists in the Portland Metropolitan Area (USA)

Abstract Health benefits of outdoor recreation have been broadly demonstrated and land managers recognize the equity implications of providing safe and inclusive outdoor spaces. Data on public lands visitation and outdoor participation show that Hispanic recreationists are less likely to engage in outdoor leisure than White persons. Early studies of outdoor preferences of Hispanic persons identified a desire for large-group settings and social activities. To update our understanding of outdoor recreation needs, preferences, and constraints, we collaborated with a Latinx organization in Portland, Oregon (USA). We collaboratively designed three focus groups that combined structured engagement, cognitive sorting, and participatory mapping to elicit desired outdoor activities and settings and identify constraints and opportunities. Results suggest that urban Hispanic recreationists seek a variety of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities and gravitate toward familiar settings. Predominant barriers relate to a lack of experience with outdoor activities and gear and lack of exposure to public land settings. Study Implications: Early studies about Hispanic outdoor participation emphasized preferences for social activities in group settings. Urban Hispanic recreationists in our study sought a diversity of human-powered, motorized, and contemplative outdoor activities. Guided group outings and Spanish-language materials were identified as steps to increase participation. Barriers included a lack of awareness of prospective recreation sites, the absence of recreation partners, and unfamiliarity with outdoor gear. Agencies seeking to enhance access may gain the greatest efficiencies by enabling guided group events providing gear, instruction, and companionship. Outreach efforts in Spanish detailing information about setting and safety features would be well received.

Experiences in outdoor recreation among individuals with developmental disabilities: Benefits, constraints, and facilitators

ABSTRACT Background Individuals with developmental disabilities have specific physical and psychosocial needs that can require extra support to participate fully in and enjoy many benefits of recreation activities. Unfortunately, little is known about individuals with developmental disabilities' experiences in outdoor recreation. The purpose of this study was to explore adults with developmental disabilities’ perceived benefits of outdoor recreation, and the constraints or facilitators that affected their participation. Method Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adults with developmental disabilities. Interviews were analysed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. Results Results revealed three themes: (a) benefits of; (b) constraints to; and (c) facilitators of outdoor recreation. Benefits of outdoor recreation reported by study participants included their experiencing satisfaction, mental reprieve, empowerment, enlightenment, social connectedness, and thrill. Participants also shared intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints and facilitators related to their outdoor recreation participation. Conclusions Practical implications and future research recommendations are discussed.

Recreation as a transformative experience: Synthesizing the literature on outdoor recreation and recreation ecosystem services into a systems framework

Outdoor recreation is a type of recreation that occurs in, and depends on, the natural environment. Ecosystem services are the benefits people receive from ecosystems. The outdoor recreation research (ORR) field has developed a detailed understanding of the recreation experience but has not developed a full understanding of the contribution of the natural environment to those experiences. Recreation Ecosystem Services (RES) is a newer area of research that highlights the contribution of the natural environment for recreation. The integration of these lines of research can improve our understanding of how the natural environment contributes to outdoor recreation benefits and outcomes. In this conceptual synthesis paper, we outline the evolution of outdoor recreation management to identify key theories and central concepts related to the biophysical setting in ORR. We then summarize contributions from RES, emphasizing the role of the natural environment in this research. Subsequently, we highlight key elements from systems theory and present the idea of transformation as a central element in outdoor recreation. We present a framework that captures central ideas from the ORR and RES fields and highlights the dynamic nature of transformative outdoor recreation experiences embedded in social-ecological complex adaptive systems. A more holistic systems view of outdoor recreation can help researchers and managers envision the bigger picture of how outdoor recreation land management contributes to recreation benefits and ecosystem services. If we understand the full complexity of the recreation system, we are better situated to address specific components in meaningful ways.

The economic benefits of recreation in Canada

AbstractCanadians spend approximately 2.2% of the country's gross domestic product on outdoor recreation, but we do not yet know the economic benefits people receive from participating in these activities. I provide the first ever comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits of outdoor recreation in Canada. I use a nationally representative survey of recreational behaviour on over 24,000 Canadians to estimate a Kuhn–Tucker demand model that accounts for substitution between activities and satiation in demand. The results demonstrate that participation in outdoor recreation provides Canadians with $98 billion in annual economic benefits, which is well over twice as large as reported expenditures. I also reveal substantial heterogeneity in recreation benefits across activities and regions in Canada.

Outdoor Campus Recreation, Well-Being, and the Intersectionality of Constraints

The experiences university students have during outdoor recreation opportunities have holistic benefits, yet there is a sizeable discrepancy in the representation of marginalized students in outdoor campus recreation. The structural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal constraints that marginalized students experience are often cited as a reason for this reduced participation. It is possible that viewing these constraints individually is an oversimplification. In the same way that a student has an intersection of identities, so too can constraints intersect to compound and multiply barriers to participation. If we wish to have a more just university community, in which all students can experience the benefits of outdoor recreation, we must think critically about the intersectionality of constraints that hinder these students from fully participating and take action to address them. Subscribe to JOREL

Outdoor recreational activities and its relation to learning motivation among Mansoura University students

The researcher carried out this study to study the identification of activities of outdoor recreation and its relationship to the motivation of learning among students. The researcher used the descriptive approach, a scale of outdoor recreational activities and learning motivation was applied by the researcher design to collect data. The research was applied to a sample of (727) students from Mansoura University to conduct the basic experiment and (50) for the exploratory experiment. The most important results were the realization and awareness of most university students of the concept of outdoor recreation activities . Most students are interested in outdoor trips activity. The presence of a high level of outdoor and motivational activities for learning among students, There is a positive correlation between practicing outdoor recreational activities and the motivation to learn. The most important recommendations were to pay attention to the necessity of holding joint cooperation protocols between the university and the various recreational institutions in civil society in order to benefit from the benefits of outdoor recreation in them for the benefit of students practicing these activities and programs , The need of the consideration of the different media (visual – acoustic-legible) in setting a cultural media strategy and allocating space in its programs to educate the masses about the positive impact of recreational activities on the individual and society.

"You Can't Be Outside Without Being Part of the Culture": Recommendations for Using Outdoor Recreation to Support International Student Transitions

International students can face linguistic, social, mental and physical challenges (Zhang and Zhou 2010). The findings of a sequential qualitative dominant mixed methodology study, including a survey and three-stage guided walk interviews, position the unique benefits of outdoor recreation as a tool to support cross-cultural transitions. Outdoor recreation benefits include physical and mental health well-being, reduced anxiety, increased social participation, and cultural exchange (Stodolska 2015; Weng and Chiang 2014). To guide universities in stimulating positive international student experiences in the outdoors, the researchers offer recommendations for the integration of outdoor recreation in six phases: (a) recruitment, (b) preparation, (c) orientation, (d) planning, (e) delivery, and (f) evaluation.

The formation of state offices of outdoor recreation and an analysis of their ability to partner with federal land management agencies

Over the past five years, political leaders and representatives from the outdoor recreation industry in the United States have actively advocated for an increased recognition of the economic importance of outdoor recreation to local and state economies. These efforts have resulted in several offices being created within state government to advocate for the outdoor recreation industry; acknowledging the industry is just as important to states’ economies as more traditional sectors like agriculture or health care. By early 2018, 11 states had established state offices of outdoor recreation. These offices, though embedded within various sectors of state government, often coordinate across or blend the functions of economic development, tourism, and land management, ultimately providing innovative opportunities for collaboration. While the state offices universally seek to develop the outdoor recreation economy, that economy fundamentally relies on access to natural landscapes, the majority of which are managed by federal land management agencies in the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture. Through a mixed-methods investigation, we describe the formation of state offices of outdoor recreation and analyze their ability to partner with federal land management agencies. Through the collection of secondary data, we provide a systematic description of the characteristics that define these newly formed offices. Additionally, by conducting and analyzing 22 interviews with individuals in leadership positions within state offices of outdoor recreation, we are able to provide a framework that describes how these offices conceptualize their role in state government. Our discussion focuses on the possibility of future collaborations between state offices of outdoor recreation and federal land management agencies to promote and enhance the economic, social, and environmental benefits of outdoor recreation. Management implicationsState offices of outdoor recreation are uniquely positioned to influence how outdoor recreation is managed across the US. They can blend the functions of economic development, tourism, and land management, ultimately providing innovative opportunities for collaborative management. These state offices should advocate for and collaborate with, federal land management agencies to improve the ability of outdoor recreation to contribute significantly to public life.

GEOMEDICAL TOURISM – OUTDOOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ANTI-GEOPATHIC STRESS TREATMENT

Geopathic stress and electrosmog affect on the human health in different ways. The list of symptoms is varied and very impressive, but the real problems posed for the study require a specialized approach to diagnosing the main causes of its occurrence and determines the presence of a new type of disease which described by the WHO in 2002 as "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome - EHS". Our attention as researchers focuses on the capabilities of geopathology (geobiology) to identify the causes of geopathic stress and to describe solutions for its neutralization. The aim of presented study was to create specialized tourism destination in pure nature for wellbeing and prevention of geopathic stress and electrosmog impact. The goal is to test the geomedical tourism as a special approach and problem solving. Objects of research: 16 famous Wellness and SPA destinations from 4 countries: Bansko, Sunny Beach, Pomorie (Bulgaria), Sulzberg- Bregenz (Austria), Ochrid (N Macedonia), Bad Griesbach (Germany) which were examined in 2010-2017. Methods: Test of differentiated self-assessment of the functional state (SAN), Applied Kinesiology Test, Geopathic stress Sequences (GSAS) and geomedical assessment of environment. Results: the core of Geomedical tourism destination management is a geomedical environment assessment of Climate recreation potential, Forest recreation potential- herbs, woods, lichens, Landscape recreation assessment, Environment assessment, Geopathic stress evaluation, Geological places assessment, Biomedical assessment of natural resources and Wellbeing effect. Some outlined benefits of outdoor recreation including post treatment geopathic stress analysis and Applied Kinesiology test-AK. Their positive results we can apply as an additional key for Geomedical tourism destination’s modelling. Our results from SAN test before and after treatment are very motivated to go over it. Conslusion. Geomedical tourism as a live style coaching including outdoor physical exercises, anti-stress massages, special nutrition menu, breathing treatment, forest meditation and geotherapy. Obviously, all forms of proactive and reactive healthcare including geomedical practices are part of health prevention tourism. Outcomes of Geomedical tourism: Creation and promotion of Individual Well Fare Guidelines for sustainability ecological and social life.

Testing the regional transferability of coastal recreation values for report card application with limited data

Including socio-economic indicators in aquatic health report cards is becoming more common place, with the Gladstone Harbour Report Card a pioneering example in Australia. There has been limited consensus about the selection and range of social and economic indicators applied in different aquatic report cards. However, because tourism and recreation are one of the main ways people experience and enjoy aquatic resources, particularly in coastal areas, these uses have typically been included as socio-economic indicators. Estimating the economic value of recreation is more challenging than for tourism as specialist nonmarket valuation techniques are required, which can be expensive and time consuming to apply. One alternative is to estimate the economic benefits of outdoor recreation from secondary sources in a process known as benefit transfer.The aim of this study is to test the transferability of the recreation values estimated for the Gladstone Harbour Report Card for application in other similar report cards. A paucity of similar valuation studies limited the scope for comparison. An alternative approach was employed where an existing dataset was analysed to test for cross regional similarity and the results applied to infer the transferability of the Gladstone Harbour value for beach recreation. The results indicate that regional values for beach recreation are generally transferable across the large area (1400 km) of the Great Barrier Reef coastal zone and should be applicable elsewhere. However, the valuation scope can influence transferability and broader regional valuations are more transferable than smaller scale valuations. It is suggested that while for some purposes a more statistically robust definition of value equivalence maybe required, it is not necessary for report card purposes and transfer errors of up to 73% are acceptable.

Achieving goals and making meanings: Toward a unified model of recreational experience

Understanding recreational experiences is a longstanding research tradition and key to effective management. Given the complexities of human experience, many approaches have been applied to study recreational experience. Two such approaches are the experiential approach (based in a positivistic paradigm) and emergent experience (based in an interpretive paradigm). While viewed as being complementary, researchers have not offered guidance for incorporating the approaches into a common model of recreational experience. This study utilized longitudinal, qualitative data to examine aspects of recreational experience posited by these two approaches. Results provided a framework for synthesizing across the two approaches. Respondents had clear pre-activity expectations, and most respondents realized their expected outcomes. This supports the experiential approach. Of the 48 activity narratives, 27 experienced something unexpected, and 45 described process-oriented, intrinsic motivation, suggesting evidence of emergent and unique characteristics specific to an individual's realization of recreational experience. This supports the application of the emergent experience approach to understand how individuals create meaning from recreational engagements. The paper proposes a model for integrating results of the two approaches. While not advocating for any specific approach, the findings can serve as an example of building a holistic model of the outdoor recreation experience. The purpose of the model is to allow for a more complete understanding of how individuals create recreation experiences, more complete documentation of the benefits of outdoor recreation for both researchers and managers, and better synthesis across studies. Management implicationsInformation regarding the recreational experience can assist in implementing informed management decisions. This paper presents commonly applied approaches and discusses their differences and the benefits when combining them. The paper gives insights into different approaches focusing on desired experiences, emergent experiences, satisfaction, or long-term benefits and the related management questions. These help managers to select the most suitable approach for their respective challenges.

The flexible recreationist: The adaptability of outdoor recreation benefits to non-ideal outdoor recreation settings

An attractive element of benefits-based management is its potential to link outdoor recreation benefits to specific setting types. The assumption embedded in these linkages is that outdoor recreation benefits are tied to narrow setting types rather than being flexible to most setting types. To investigate the relationship between benefits and setting types, an experiment was conducted in which participants were randomly assigned to one of six distinct outdoor recreation settings, which were defined with digitally manipulated photos and select written statements. Benefit factors were based on a principal components analysis, and mean differences were assessed between the setting types through a MANOVA. Our data showed that outdoor recreationists on public lands are able to envision themselves as achieving their desired benefits across setting types. While some benefit factors are shown to be more flexible (e.g. physical) than others (e.g. interpersonal), none of the benefit factors measured in the survey significantly predicted participants’ satisfaction levels of their randomly assigned setting types. Instead, the ability of respondents to engage in preferred outdoor recreation activities is shown to be statistically significant in predicting satisfaction levels with randomly assigned setting types. Management implications●The vision of a flexible outdoor recreationist whose benefit structure is adaptable to many setting types loosens, rather than constrains, land managers’ ability to manage their lands for benefits.●Likewise, our finding that incompatibility of outdoor recreation activities to setting type impacts satisfaction levels constrains, rather than loosens, land managers’ ability to manage for activities.●Despite loosening the strings of land management decisions for benefits, our findings do show that benefit factors are less compatible with setting types towards the ends of the spectrum (e.g. primitive and urban) and are generally most adaptable to backcountry setting types.

도시민의 농촌 야외여가활동의 동기, 여가혜택과 만족간의 영향 관계

This study was performed to identify the tendency and benefits of outdoor recreation in rural areas. The preferences and importance of the benefits of outdoor recreation activities in rural areas were simultaneously compared and analyzed through the discussion of a four quadrants portfolio map using importance-performance analysis. The social benefits in quadrant i had the characteristics of 'sharing nice experiences with others', 'having contact/interchange with others', 'colleagueship/helping each other', 'being together with friends', and 'making new friends.' These social benefit types were perceived as very important characteristics, but the real level of achievement was rather low. Thus it seems necessary, in the process of program development, to apply the social benefit types to the characteristics of the participants. The experience of nature and relaxation benefits in quadrant ii had the characteristics of 'relaxation and recreation', 'understanding nature', 'nature experience', 'getting away from everyday life', and 'experiencing new things.' These benefits and experience of nature were regarded as very important characteristics by the participants in outdoor recreation and, at the same time, their real achievements were highly recognized, thus they seemed to be proper types for the goals involved in developing an outdoor recreation activity program in rural areas. The personal and challenge benefits in quadrant iv had the characteristics of 'training of mental ability', 'improvement of self-esteem', 'fitness', 'increase in determination', 'possible danger', 'achievement', 'excitement', and 'adventure.' These benefits had less importance to the participants, but had relatively high achievement, thus it might be important to make further suggestions for the direction of development according to the participants' tendency, seasons and facilities.

Effects of vicarious experiences of nature, environmental attitudes, and outdoor recreation benefits on support for increased funding allocations

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effects of vicarious experiences of nature, environmental attitudes, and recreation benefits sought by participants on their support for funding of natural resources and alternative energy options. Using a national scenic trail user survey, results demonstrated that vicarious experiences of nature influenced environmental attitudes and experiential benefits. Support for increased funding allocations was directly influenced by both attitudes and experiential benefits, though attitude was a stronger predictor than benefits. Vicarious educational experiences and funding support were not directly related, but the relationship was mediated via both attitudes and recreation benefits.

Royal death and living memorials: the funerals and commemoration of George V and George VI, 1936-52

The death, funerals and commemoration of George V and George VI have received relatively little attention. The elaborately staged funerals established new democratic spaces where people could affirm their loyalty and live broadcasts generated nationally shared experiences. New mass media were significant but the funerals also incorporated commemorative rituals established after the First World War including the two-minute silence and memorial appeals building on the war memorials movement. National philanthropic schemes or living memorials promoted young people's welfare inspired by both kings’ belief in the physical, moral and social benefits of outdoor recreation. Drawing extensively on unexplored sources, this article argues that royal death affirmed a shared Britishness, which strengthened the monarchy and enhanced social and national cohesion in the era of total war.

Valuing recreational ecosystem service flow in Finland

In this study we defined the spatial allocation for the value of recreation ecosystem services in Finland. The Finnish National Outdoor Recreation Demand Inventory, a representative survey dataset of Finnish recreationists and their recreation visits (last close-to-home visit and overnight nature trip), allowed us to estimate the annual number of recreation trips to various area types: (1) areas used under everyman׳s right, (2) state-owned recreation and nature conservation areas, and (3) leisure homes and their surroundings. To match the values for recreation visits with each area type in different parts of Finland, we applied the aggregate travel cost method. GIS was used to map the regional visits as well as their value. The results emphasize the relative importance of close-to-home recreation compared to overnight nature trips in terms of the total number of visits and their values. The spatial allocation of the value of close-to-home visits followed population density, while the type of ecosystem had a minor role. Our approach provides an example of how to utilize national recreation data, which are also available in some other European countries, to define and map the value of recreational ecosystem services. This information is becoming increasingly important for land use decisions as well as for national debates about the health benefits of outdoor recreation. Management ImplicationsThis study documents the considerable value associated with the recreational use of ecosystems and how it can be used for natural resources policy and management. The analysis presented in this paper shows how a high quality recreational data set allows analysts–To discuss the value of recreational use in the context of other forms of land uses;–To use the information for national strategic recreational management as well as for national health strategies;–To integrate cultural ecosystem services in the spatial development of specific sites;–To use the information in environmental assessments, at least on a strategic level; andTo discuss the quality of life on a regional basis.

Factors Influencing the Willingness to Pay for Entrance Permit: The Evidence from Taman Negara National Park

Non-market techniques such as Travel Cost Method (TCM) and Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) are commonly used to estimate the economic benefits of outdoor recreation. This study applied the CVM, with Willingness to Pay (WTP) as the elicitation method, to investigate the pattern of willingness to pay among visitors of Taman Negara National Park (TNNP). In applying CVM, the respondents were asked on the maximum amount they were willing to pay to enter this park. Data were obtained using closed-ended questionnaires through interview. About 196 visitors were involved in the study. This study used multiple regressions (MR) to investigate factors that determine WTP for entrance permit in TNNP. This study found that the WTP was positively related to several important factors; and these factors include nationality, income, education and marital status. All these factors can help to explain the WTP for entrance permit at TNNP. Approach in determining WTP for entrance permit will help park authorities to be more financially self-sufficient. In addition, it will generate more income, and thus more efficiency in operating and maintaining the national parks.