Recreational Practices Research Articles

HISTORICAL SPECIAL INTEREST TOURISM: THE EVOLUTION OF MOUNTAINEERING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Scholarship on special interest tourism has burgeoned since the 1980s. Although this expanding research interest is relatively new, the phenomenon of special interest tourism is not of recent origin as many of its forms, such as mountaineering, exhibit a long historical record. Most research on special interest tourism concentrates on contemporary issues. The objective is to present a historical perspective on special interest tourism. Using archival sources an analysis is undertaken of the evolution of mountaineering in South Africa as a recreational sport and incipient form of special interest tourism. Cape Town’s Table Mountain and the Drakensberg mountains provide the geographical focus of discussion. The results demonstrate that during the 1920s and 1930s tourism promoters in South Africa acknowledged the potential of special interest mountaineers to contribute to tourism growth. The documented experience of early mountaineering in South Africa provides an example of racism in recreation by showing that the country’s recreational practices became constructed around politicallyimposed racial hierarchies.

Recreational Practices and Employee Performance in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Kenya

Employee welfare practices in organizations, which involve offering various recreational programs in the workplace, are crucial for enhancing motivation and increasing performance among staff members. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to determine the relationship between recreational activities and employee performance in Kenya while also considering the moderating influence of top management commitment on employee performance. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey approach that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods. The research population consisted of 14,323 NGO employees in Nairobi County, Kenya, with 403 participants, including top managers, middle-level managers, and lower-level managers. The selection of respondents was done through stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained from peer-reviewed books, articles, and journals. The study was grounded in relevant theories such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Human Relations Theory. A pilot study was conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the research tools. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences, version 25, with inferential and descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, correlations, and multiple linear regression. The findings of the study were presented through pie charts, graphs, and tables. The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between recreational practices like staff parties, team building, and sports events and employee performance. Moreover, it was found that top management's communication, policy development, and budget allocation significantly moderated the relationship between recreational practices and employee performance. Additionally, a linear relationship was observed between the independent and dependent variables. In conclusion, the study emphasized the importance of recreational practices in enhancing employee performance, especially when supported by top management commitment.

Therapeutic Recreation Support Practice: Children Saving Dormitory Camps

Therapeutic recreation is a process that supports individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social limitations to increase their skills, knowledge, and behaviors through participation in recreational activities. This process provides opportunities to engage in recreational activities and is seen as a field that makes the lives of children facing difficulties and limitations meaningful. This research aims to examine the institutional structure of the Children's Saving Dormitory Camps (CSDC), which operated in Istanbul between 1933 and 1938, and to reveal the content of therapeutic recreation practices in organized nature camps. The document analysis technique, a qualitative research data collection method, was used in this study. The data in this study were obtained through text-based documents such as state archives, newspapers, and a comprehensive literature review. According to the research findings, the CSDC, established in 1933, aimed to help street children adapt to social life and become beneficial individuals for society. In this context, vocational and academic education, physical activities, and nature camps were organized for the children. The camps organized within the framework of CSDC included therapeutic recreation practices consisting of various physical activities such as swimming, hiking, and camping to support the rehabilitation process of street children. As a result, the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of street children is supported through camps, physical activities, and therapeutic recreation practices consisting of various games.

STYLE-BASED ADULT MARTIAL ARTS GROUP COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIALIZATION PATTERNS

The research explores communicative connections within adult martial arts groups, considering factors like martial art type, coaching style, and group dynamics. Physical education for adults extends beyond sports, emphasizing socialization. Analyzing communication strategies in Aikido and capoeira reveals distinct models that motivate sports in adulthood, foster a healthy group atmosphere, and support socialization needs. Aikido relies on a historical hierarchy, while capoeira lacks such structure despite strict technical standards. Both arts, non-competitive in adulthood, focus on recreational practice for joint mobility and maintaining physical well-being.

Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Conservation

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to examine different types of outdoor recreation activities and their impact on environmental conservation efforts.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to technology and traditional arts in modern sporting events. The study provided a comprehensive analysis of the complex relationship between outdoor recreation and conservation efforts. It concluded that while outdoor recreation offered various benefits, including economic contributions and fostering a connection to nature, it also posed challenges such as habitat degradation and natural resource depletion. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including policymakers and the public, were highlighted as crucial for achieving a balance between recreational use and conservation objectives. Additionally, education and outreach played a vital role in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging sustainable behaviors among outdoor recreationists. Overall, the study underscored the importance of integrating principles of sustainability and stewardship into outdoor recreation practices to ensure the long-term health of natural landscapes.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social-Ecological Systems theory, Environmental Psychology model and Ecological Modernization theory may be used to anchor future studies on outdoor recreation and environmental conservation contributed significantly to theory, practice, and policy by elucidating the complex interactions between outdoor recreation and conservation. It provided insights into theoretical frameworks such as Social-Ecological Systems theory and Environmental Psychology, informing evidence-based management strategies and policy interventions. Recommendations included integrating outdoor recreation into policy agendas, prioritizing stakeholder collaboration, and investing in educational initiatives. Research priorities emphasized longitudinal studies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and comparative research to address complex socio-ecological challenges. These contributions aimed to promote the sustainable coexistence of outdoor recreation and environmental conservation, fostering a culture of stewardship and ensuring the long-term well-being of natural landscapes and communities.

Chinese migrant communities’ relationships to coastal spaces in the ‘City of Sails’, Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT New Zealanders have long-standing and multifaceted relationships with coasts, including recreation activities in, on and by the water. Leisure scholarship to date has paid little attention to outdoor recreation in New Zealand's fast-growing Asian migrant communities, whose involvement in coastal recreation is relatively low. This study explores Auckland's Chinese communities’ relationship with coastal blue spaces (i.e. the ocean/sea, beach and harbour) through their recreation activities, and the potential impacts on their experiences of cultural identity, belonging and wellbeing. Interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrants and community sport organisations’ representatives to understand the factors that enable and constrain Chinese immigrants’ outdoor blue space recreation practices. Applying Bourdieu's concepts, we identified that Chinese communities’ relationships to coastal blue spaces are impacted by their ‘blue space’ related habitus and cultural capital. Findings also suggest that when facing habitus-field mismatch, participants reject norms and expectations in the field, actively disrupting and challenging them.

WHEN LAUGHTER GAS NO LONGER BRINGS LAUGHTER

Introduction: Nitrous oxide (N2O), also dubbed the laughing gas or proto, is a gas used therapeutically in the medical field. However, a recreational trend has emerged, involving the inhalation of N2O from culinary capsules or canisters. Clinical Case: This involves a 23-year-old patient, Hospitalized for psychomotor agitation, the patient has a history of cardiac arrest following extensive inhalation of laughing gas. The patient presented with a manic syndrome that resolved within 2 days. Biological tests returned normal results, including vitamin B12. Brain MRI revealed bilateral bi-fronto-parietal cortical cerebral atrophy. The patient underwent a neurological etiological assessment, which came back normal. Discussion: The majority of literature reviews on the psychiatric complications of NO2 use have indicated that the most frequent symptoms are delirium, hallucinations, and confusion. The prognosis is often favorable, with symptoms typically resolving under antipsychotic treatment. Conclusion: The consumption of nitrous oxide is a recreational practice that is on the rise, and especially among young people. With easy access and low cost.Cases of intoxication are increasing with serious medical complications which can lead to death, regardless of the type of exposure.

KeepRunning: A MoCap-Based Rapid Test to Prevent Musculoskeletal Running Injuries

The worldwide popularisation of running as a sport and recreational practice has led to a high rate of musculoskeletal injuries, usually caused by a lack of knowledge about the most suitable running technique for each runner. This running technique is determined by a runner’s anthropometric body characteristics, dexterity and skill. Therefore, this study aims to develop a motion capture-based running analysis test on a treadmill called KeepRunning to obtain running patterns rapidly, which will aid coaches and clinicians in assessing changes in running technique considering changes in the study variables. Therefore, a review and proposal of the most representative events and variables of analysis in running was conducted to develop the KeepRunning test. Likewise, the minimal detectable change (MDC) in these variables was obtained using test–retest reliability to demonstrate the reproducibility and viability of the test, as well as the use of MDC as a threshold for future assessments. The test–retest consisted of 32 healthy volunteer athletes with a running training routine of at least 15 km per week repeating the test twice. In each test, clusters of markers were placed on the runners’ body segments using elastic bands and the volunteers’ movements were captured while running on a treadmill. In this study, reproducibility was defined by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and MDC, obtaining a mean value of ICC = 0.94 ± 0.05 for all variables and MDC = 2.73 ± 1.16° for the angular kinematic variables. The results obtained in the test–retest reveal that the reproducibility of the test was similar or better than that found in the literature. KeepRunning is a running analysis test that provides data from the involved body segments rapidly and easily interpretable. This data allows clinicians and coaches to objectively provide indications for runners to improve their running technique and avoid possible injury. The proposed test can be used in the future with inertial motion capture and other wearable technologies.

High risk of bat bites in an indigenous village in Brazil: Warning of the re-emergence of rabies among the Maxakali People

Bat-mediated human rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to the public health of traditional peoples, especially indigenous populations that maintain primitive cultural and social habits, such as the Maxakali ethnic group, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. The sociocultural habit of this population led to the emergence between April and May 2022 of the viral spillover of rabies transmitted by bats, which decimated the lives of four children from this population who maintained contact with this animal as a recreational practice. Because the vampire bats Desmodus rotundus have exceptional ecology and social characteristics that can have important effects on the dynamics of viral dispersion in this indigenous population, I present the dynamics of contact between native children and the bat and the meaning of this relationship, which involves ritualistic and recreational significance. As important as knowing the reasons for this practice is discussing some intrinsic and extrinsic factors that imply risks that intensify the vulnerability of this population to the transmission of the rabies virus at any time. In view of this, I warn of the need to adopt efficient strategies to mitigate the risks of a new emergency in this region. Although emergency containment measures were carried out during the critical period of the outbreak, such animal and environmental control actions must become routine programmatic and structuring interventions. Essential for rabies surveillance in this population is to develop culturally adapted interethnic health education campaigns to guarantee the accessibility of the Maxakali indigenous people to the content taught, so that any attempt at domestication, captivity and recreational practices with bats of any species is discouraged, thus avoiding a possible re-emergence of this anthropozoonosis that has impacted not only the epidemiological scenario in this region, but throughout Brazil, and also throughout Latin America.

Acute human leptospirosis in a Caribbean region of Colombia: From classic to emerging risk factors.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide incidence, with a broad spectrum of health risk factors. The objective was to determine risk factors associated with acute human leptospirosis and to explore predictive variables of risk to human leptospirosis. The study was carried out in the Department of Córdoba, in the north of Colombia. We conducted a longitudinal prospective descriptive study with non-probabilistic sampling, which included 339 patients suspected of leptospirosis. Positive cases were confirmed by MAT and PCR. The determination of social and environmental risk factors was done with a survey on epidemiological and environmental variables to establish an association between cases of leptospirosis and risk factors as well as predictive variables. We found 19.8% (67/339) cases of acute leptospirosis, and the seroprevalence was 27.1% (92/339). The most frequent serogroups were Sejroe, Australis, Pomona, Batavie, Pyrogenes and Grippotyphosa. We identified the following risk factors: age between 10 and 19 years (OR = 2.571; 95% CI); pig ownership (OR = 2.019; 95% CI); bathing or recreational activities in lake/lagoon (OR = 3.85; 95% CI) and in dams (OR = 3.0; 95% CI); floodings 30 days before the onset of symptoms (OR = 2.019; 95% CI), and a mean temperature of 28°C (p 0.044; 95%CI). As significant predictor variables, we identified age (10-19 years), bathing or recreational activities in the lake/lagoon, and flooding 30 days before symptoms were again evidenced. This region presents classic risk factors (pig ownership) and emerging environmental risk factors (recreational practice or bathing in a lake/lagoon and flooding 30 days before the onset of symptoms), and demographic factors such as young age (10-19 years). These factors are also predictors of human cases of acute leptospirosis and provide contextual information on environmental and public health that should be considered for epidemiological surveillance in this endemic area.

Impacts of reflexive modernization in the context of sports, tourism, and leisure activities in nature: A theoretical review

This article aims to understand the extent to which reflexive modernization dynamics have had an impact on tourism, sports, and recreational activities in nature. To this end, this exploratory, bibliographic, and theoretical article is organized in three sections. In the first, we approach the theoretical background used to analyze the investigated object. Next, we make a brief digression to describe the reconfigurations of recreational activities developed in nature over time until the advent of reflexive modernity advent. Finally, in the third part of the study, we seek to show how reflexive modernization has affected tourism, sports, and recreational activities carried out in nature. In general terms, after the analyses, it was possible to infer that reflexive modernization has structurally modified recreational practices in nature, impacting how the market provides products in view of how people relate to the natural environment.

ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS OF AN ABANDONED OPENCAST COAL PIT (OCP) OF ASANSOL-RANIGANJ COALFIELD (ARCF), PASCHIM BARDHAMAN, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Coal mining and its auxiliary actions have already been proved to cause potential pollutions to ecosystems. This research work assesses the surface water quality of Samdihi abandoned Opencast Coal Pit (OCP) of Asansol-Raniganj Coalfield Areas (ARCF). Twenty seven water samples were collected maintaining temporal variability and were analyzed for physicochemical attributes. The pH was slightly alkaline with lowest of 7.8 during winter. The water temperature varied between 20 and 35°C. Conductivity was highest during winter (601±3.51 µS/cm) and lowest during monsoon (333±2.8 µS/cm). The Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ranged from 212 to 2738 mg/L and 170 to 413 mg/L respectively. The low values of TSS (212 mg/L) and TDS (170 mg/L) were observed during winter and the higher values of TSS (2738 mg/L) and TDS (413 mg/L) were observed during monsoon. The dissolved oxygen concentration was moderately high (between 6.89 and 8.43 mg/L) but comparatively higher (8.5 mg/L) in monsoon. The estimated dissolved concentration of phosphate, sulphate, sodium and potassium were 4.2±0.17, 98.6±10.48, 8.6±0.47 and 2.5±0.75 mg/L respectively. Zooplankton population in the OCP was found to be 8±1.76 ind/mL in monsoon and 14±1.12 ind/mL in winter with an impressive abundance of 157/L and 274/L in monsoon and winter respectively. The water chemistry suggests the non-potability compared to prescribed standards but the chemical attributes showed promising traits for pisciculture, aquaculture, horticulture and/or other recreational practices that may assist in improving the socio-economic condition of the community habituating in and around the area.

Biomechanical Analysis of Recreational Cycling with Unilateral Transtibial Prostheses

Leg prostheses specially adapted for cycling in patients with transtibial amputation can be advantageous for recreational practice; however, their required features are not fully understood. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of unilateral cycling with a transtibial prosthesis and the characteristics of different attachment positions (middle and tip of the foot) between the prosthetic foot and the pedal. The cycling practice was performed on an ergometer at 40 W and 60 W resistance levels while participants (n = 8) wore custom-made orthoses to simulate prosthesis conditions. Using surface electromyogram, motion tracking, and power meter pedals, biomechanical data were evaluated and compared with data obtained through regular cycling. The results showed that power delivery became more asymmetrical at lower workloads for both orthosis conditions, while hip flexion and muscle activity of the knee extensor muscles in the sound leg increased. While both pedal attachment positions showed altered hip and knee joint angles for the leg wearing the orthosis, the middle of the foot attachment presented more symmetric power delivery. In conclusion, the middle of the foot attachment position presented better symmetry between the intact and amputated limbs during cycling performed for rehabilitation or recreation.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Surrogate for Coronavirus Decay Measurement in French Coastal Waters and Contribution to Coronavirus Risk Evaluation.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in infected patients mainly displays pulmonary and oronasal tropism; however, the presence of the virus has also been demonstrated in the stools of patients and consequently in wastewater treatment plant effluents, raising the question of the potential risk of environmental contamination (such as seawater contamination) through inadequately treated wastewater spillover into surface or coastal waters even if the environmental detection of viral RNA alone does not substantiate risk of infection. Therefore, here, we decided to experimentally evaluate the persistence of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), considered as a coronavirus representative model, in the coastal environment of France. Coastal seawater was collected, sterile-filtered, and inoculated with PEDv before incubation for 0 to 4 weeks at four temperatures representative of those measured along the French coasts throughout the year (4, 8, 15, and 24°C). The decay rate of PEDv was determined using mathematical modeling and was used to determine the half-life of the virus along the French coast in accordance with temperatures from 2000 to 2021. We experimentally observed an inverse correlation between seawater temperature and the persistence of infectious viruses in seawater and confirm that the risk of transmission of infectious viruses from contaminated stool in wastewater to seawater during recreational practices is very limited. The present work represents a good model to assess the persistence of coronaviruses in coastal environments and contributes to risk evaluation, not only for SARS-CoV-2 persistence, but also for other coronaviruses, specifically enteric coronaviruses from livestock. IMPORTANCE The present work addresses the question of the persistence of coronavirus in marine environments because SARS-CoV-2 is regularly detected in wastewater treatment plants, and the coastal environment, subjected to increasing anthropogenic pressure and the final receiver of surface waters and sometimes insufficiently depurated wastewater, is particularly at risk. The problem also arises in the possibility of soil contamination by CoV from animals, especially livestock, during manure application, where, by soil impregnation and runoff, these viruses can end up in seawater. Our findings are of interest to researchers and authorities seeking to monitor coronaviruses in the environment, either in tourist areas or in regions of the world where centralized systems for wastewater treatment are not implemented, and more broadly, to the scientific community involved in "One Health" approaches.

Changes in cycling practices in France during the Covid-19 pandemic. An illusory reduction in inequalities

IntroductionThe Covid-19 health crisis and the attendant pro-bicycle policies have accelerated the development of urban cycling worldwide. Bicycle traffic flows have generally been well documented, with particular focus on utilitarian trips during lockdowns. However, little research has examined the profiles of social groups affected by changes in bicycle use. That is the purpose of this article, which examines the socio-spatial factors behind changes in utilitarian and recreational cycle use. MethodsThe study is based on a nationwide questionnaire completed by 7343 cyclists in France between May and October 2021. The analyses are based on bivariate treatments, tests of independence, logistic regressions, and additional comments by some respondents (n = 1594). ResultsOur results show both utility and leisure cycling were more likely to have increased than decreased over the period under study. However, while utility practice was driven by fear of Covid-19 but inhibited by teleworking, recreational practice was driven by both working-at-home and by the desire to get out for some physical exercise. Compensatory phenomena, blurring the boundary between leisure and utility, are perceptible. Reductions in both the gender gap and the income gap in bicycle use are measured. However, since these were mainly forced changes and since inequalities in access to cycling persist, the narrowing of these gaps cannot be interpreted as steps toward gender or class equality. ConclusionsThe article recommends further research to assess the persistence of observed changes in leisure and utility cycling. At the same time, it warns against the pitfall of considering that a reduction in inequalities in cycling practices implies a reduction in social inequalities.

Cultural identity of young habaneros: continuity, rupture and emergence of the contents of the associative subdimension

The contemporary world is a context of palpable technological, media, ideological and consumer confluences, where cultural identities are reconfigured at an accelerated pace, breaking down historically shared cultural constructions in their wake. The objective of the research was to reveal the trends of continuity, rupture and emergence of the contents of the associative subdimension of the cultural identity of young people from Havana. The study was carried out in a context marked by the economic crisis that Cuba is going through, which leaves its mark on the experiences of young people and on the configuration of their cultural identity. The methodology was adjusted to the mixed design of concurrent triangulation. As result, it stands out that all the indicators of the associative sub-dimension evoked material deficiencies and limitations to deploy healthy recreational practices, sometimes disrupting traditional forms of recreation for youth; with the same negative impact on access to food.

Folkloric dance and its contribution to the reduction of sedentary lifestyle in teaching staff

The teaching staff is going through an occupational health problem due to the long working hours that they have little free time left to develop; One of the factors that affects the sedentary lifestyle of teachers, is the null practice of work recreation within the school institutions, since it originates from the ignorance of the benefits offered by recreation, it is precisely in this research that emphasizes the awareness of the benefits of work recreation in teaching staff, focused from the dance part within the working day in the face of this problem there is a large number of studies that explain the benefits of work recreation as a strategy to reduce sedentary lifestyle in teachers of the tax education system. For this reason, the article focuses its attention on evaluating a recreational program of folkloric dance as a means of reducing sedentary lifestyle aimed at high school teachers of the fiscal system. The project is based on different research designs starting from the documentary, field and quasi-experimental analysis, through the application of tests directed to the teachers and the sedentary lifestyle that allowed to collect significant amounts to determine the diagnosis; As a result of these investigative analyzes, the final conclusion was reached that responds to the stated objective, which is to reduce sedentary lifestyle in teachers. Therefore, it is affirmed that the Folk Dance Recreational Program has significant effects on the reduction of sedentary lifestyle in secondary education teachers of the fiscal system.

Controversial Topics in Animal Welfare in Latin America: A Focus on the Legislation Surrounding the Human-Companion Animal Relationship and Animals Used for Recreational Practices.

Animal welfare is a societally relevant issue that is globally attracting increased attention. This is in addition to the importance placed on welfare for the animals themselves. However, the content and application of laws protecting animals' welfare vary across countries. In Latin America, there are a range of common practices or activities involving certain animal species, many of which are legal, that can impair an animal's quality of life. These include the performance of aesthetic surgical procedures; bull-, cock-, and dog fighting; and the existence of circuses that exhibit animals. The extent and impact of these practices being dependent on the socioeconomic, cultural, territorial, and regulatory landscape of each country. Particularly, Ibero-American regions face welfare challenges that might be influenced by traditions and relevant legal gaps. The objective of this article is to review controversial practices carried out in companion and entertainment animals in Latin America, with a focus on legal aspects, as well as the current efforts being made to address and incorporate global welfare standards into domestic and wild animal practice and regulation.

History of the development of Dragon boat rowing in China and Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of the history of the emergence and development of rowing on Dragonboats in Ukraine and China. The dynamics of performance of Ukrainian athletes in international competitions is analyzed. The number of competitions held in Ukraine during the existence of rowing on Dragonboats was investigated. The purpose is to study the peculiarities of the historical development on Dragonboats in Ukraine and China. Methodology – theoretical analysis and generalization of data from scientific and methodological literature, data on the Internet, analysis of competition protocols, survey of those engaged in Dragonboats. Scientific novelty: the history of the development on Dragonboats in Ukraine and China was studied, the performance of athletes on the international arena was analyzed. Conclusions: rowing is the future, even if it is not yet an Olympic sport. But it is a team sport, a social sport and even a business sport, which is especially interesting in today's urbanized world. It is a sport and a form of physical recreation that can be practiced by anyone at any age and with any physical fitness. The recreational and competitive practice on Dragonboats makes this type of rowing one of the most popular disciplines of the International Canoe Federation. In addition, there is a high probability, in the near future, of strengthening the positions on Dragonboats, both in sports and recreational practice. Already now, a huge number of competitions are held all over the world for juniors, veterans and, in the absolute first place, for active athletes. Drakonboats is a harmonious discipline that requires a combination of strength, endurance, courage and skill. Recently, there has been a significant surge of interest in Dragonboat from corporate teams, thanks to which many commercial events are being held.

The Potential Use of HeartMath®’s emWave Technology to Establish Evidence-Based Therapeutic Recreation Practice to Produce Physiological and Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Literature Review

With the capability of evidence-based therapeutic recreation interventions to produce meaningful emotional/behavioral and cognitive health outcomes, it would be valuable to establish use of HeartMath®’s emWave device as an evidence-based practice to potentially benefit individuals with various disabilities and/or diagnoses. This systematic literature review explores evidence-based practices in various fields that involve use of HeartMath®’s emWave device with individuals with and without disabilities or diagnosed health-related issues to produce and measure psychological and/or physiological change. Twenty-one databases were searched in October 2020, and 13 articles were selected for final review. Specific topics were revealed: use of HeartMath®’s emWave device, suitability and accessibility, need for standardized treatment approach, and need for formal evaluation of participant experiences. Results revealed a variety of implications and future recommendations that support future research to test the use of HeartMath®’s emWave device with individuals with various disabilities and/or diagnoses and establish evidence-based therapeutic recreation practice.