Recreation Specialization Research Articles

Identification of sport talents through leisure activity: a pathway for achieving football commercialization

ABSTRACT The study identifies how the sport talents of young people are identified through leisure activity, which supports them to achieve professional status. Through recreational specialization and network support, we understand how amateur athletes’ leisure participation evolved through realizing their professional sports dreams. Leisure and recreational specialization studies contribute to explaining players’ progression from their street football activity in communities. Semi-structured interviews and interactions with 19 former African professional players reveal that they relied mostly on networks of recreational intermediaries (e.g. agents, scouts) to reach their recreational specialization, offering them professional sports careers abroad. Former players experienced some challenges through their involvement in leisure behaviour as they sought to commercialize their leisure activity of football for socioeconomic benefit. This paper presents valued evidence for recreational managers or recreational intermediaries to support children’s leisure pursuits in identifying their talents and prospects for development to enhance their livelihood and well-being in the future.

Conceptual Connections between Recreation Specialization and Continual Use Intentions of Screen Golf AI Coaching Services : An Application of the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM)

Conceptual Connections between Recreation Specialization and Continual Use Intentions of Screen Golf AI Coaching Services : An Application of the Technology Acceptance Model(TAM)

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ОСНОВЫ ВЫБОРА БЕРЕГОУКРЕПИТЕЛЬНЫХ СООРУЖЕНИЙ ПРИ РЕКОНСТРУКЦИИ ПЛЯЖЕЙ КРЫМСКОГО ПОБЕРЕЖЬЯ

The relevance of improving the methods of engineering and environmental survey of coastal protection objects is determined by their existing violations, which reduce environmental safety in general and create a danger for the organization of tourism on the coast. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the choice of bank protection structures during the reconstruction of the beaches of the Crimean coast in the conditions of recreational specialization of the region. The nature and extent of deformations of the coastal zone of the sea and shore protection structures on the coast of the Kalamitsky Bay of the Black Sea are described. The authors proposed the design and location of the breakwater, which will make it possible to more effectively cope with the damping of waves during a storm period compared to classical breakwaters. Materials and methods. The study of the state of coastal territories and the solution of problems of coastal protection structures is based on the theory of geomorphology of the surface and underwater parts of the coast, the regularities of the hydrophysical parameters of the sea in the coastal zone, and climatic and seismic conditions. The methods of field observations and experimental studies in the wave basin were used to take into account the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the ecological parameters of the coastal zone of the Crimean coast. Results. In 2022, a team of authors carried out a visual survey of the coast in the territory of the Bakhchisaray district of the Republic of Crimea with a total length of 11.5 km. from s. Coastal to with. Angular. As a result of the inspection, sections of the coast that are potentially dangerous to the health and life of people and are not suitable for normal use for recreational purposes were identified. Conclusions. Long-term field observations show that the creation of bank protection in certain local areas, having given only a temporary positive effect for these areas, can have a very negative impact on neighboring and even remote areas; that is why the issue of protecting the coast should be resolved at least on the scale of the coast of settlements, taking into account the conditions of a single system. The shape of the coast protection structure proposed by the authors can make it possible to more effectively dampen waves compared to classical rectangular breakwaters. However, when designing coastal protection measures, it should be taken into account that separate protection of small areas of eroded coastal territories within a large zone of eroded coast is ineffective, since adjacent unprotected shores will recede under the influence of a system of natural factors.

Birding specialization and satisfaction in Australian birders – a Big Year is not a big issue

ABSTRACT Birding as a non-consumptive, nature-related outdoor activity is becoming increasingly popular. Here, using an online survey of Australian birders, we focussed on birding as a construct of recreation specialization and considered three aspects: perceived level of skill/knowledge, behaviour, and involvement. We analysed demographic effects (age, degree and payment for birding services) in relation to level of birding specialization, as well as leisure satisfaction for the first time in Australian birders. We further studied the “Big Year”. Birders can be classified into three groups: casual/novice, intermediate and advanced. Their satisfaction with birding as a leisure activity was generally high. More highly skilled and committed birders reported higher satisfaction, as did birders who participated more frequently. We also found that paid birders reported higher skill/knowledge compared to unpaid birders. Most respondents never participated in a Big Year, but if they did, it was most often in their local geographic area. From a theoretical viewpoint, leisure activity satisfaction should be studied on the general (trait) level as well as on the situational place level in situ. As a managerial implication, institutionalizing a local Big Year in a nearby birding hotspot (with minimal travelling time and costs) may be an enhancing and satisfying task.

An empirical study on the relationship between rider recreational specialization, individual-environment fit, and heart flow experience

The aim of the study is to create and validate a model of the relationship between specialization in leisure activities, the individual's adaptation to the environment and the heart flow experience. In order to clarify the role of the individual's adaptation to the environment in the relationship between specialization in leisure activities and the heart flow experience. The study utilized purposive sampling, cluster sampling, and random sampling. Using questionnaires and interviews to survey 525 cycling enthusiasts. Descriptive analysis, model construction and testing of the constructed path relationships were conducted using SPSS 20.0 and Amos 20.0. The results indicate that the model of the relationship between recovery specialization, individual-environment fit and heart flow experience has a good overall fit. The model shows good reliability and validity. Cyclists' recreational specialization has a statistically significant effect on individual-environment fit (β = 0.38, P < 0.001). The fit between individual and environment has a statistically significant influence on the heart flow experience (β = 0.39, P < 0.001). The fit between individual and environment serves as a mediating variable between recreational specialization and the heart flow experience, with the path showing statistical significance (β = 0.15, P < 0.001). Recreational specialization has a statistically significant effect on the heart flow experience (β = 0.30, P < 0.001). And the overall path of the effects of recreational specialization of cyclists on the fit between individual and environment is (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), with the path showing statistical significance. ConclusionThe stronger the recreational specialization of cyclists and the greater the fit between individual and environment, the stronger their heart flow experience. The fit between individual and environment plays a partially mediating role.

Recreation specialization: Resource selection functions as a predictive tool for protected area recreation management

Widespread and ongoing increases in park and protected area (PPA) visitation presents managers with the imminent challenge of preserving ecological conditions while also maintaining accessibility in the open spaces that are fundamental to the health and wellness needs of society. In the field of recreation resource management, recreation specialization, the selective channeling of interests and abilities into a specific recreational activity, has contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of recreation behavior, site preference, management perceptions and conservation support. Contributing to historical understandings of specialization can inform recreation planning on the diversity of uses occurring in urban-proximate PPAs. In this study, survey and GPS data collected in urban and peri-urban parks in the Nature Reserve of Orange County, CA, USA, were used to classify recreationists into three specialization types based on empirically derived dimensions of involvement, commitment and skill. For each survey participant, thirteen spatio-temporal metrics (STM) were calculated. A principle component analysis (PCA) reduced STMs into 3 factors representing expressions of spatial behavior and a one-way analysis of variance indicated unique patterns between specialization types and time spent recreating, elevation gained, speed traveled and stopping behavior. Additionally, GPS point data were analyzed with an analytical approach adopted from the field of wildlife movement ecology; a resource selection function (RSF). The RSF assisted in quantifying spatial distribution patterns specific to each specialization type across activity types at four park locations and demonstrated a landscape-based statistical analysis of probability of use in relation to change in elevation, distance to starting points and park amenities. Committed hikers and mountain bikers largely demonstrated longer trip durations, more elevation gain, less overall stopping, faster overall speeds and farther total distances, while e-bikers in this study demonstrated unintuitive specialization dynamics; casual specialization types travelling farther from starting points and dispersing more across trail systems. Further spatial results revealed spatial behavior to be inherently complex and influenced by numerous confounding factors (i.e. activity type/bike type, starting points, park topography and trail design). This novel spatial examination of recreation specialization according to activity type and park location, is useful in understanding recreation behavior and park use in a spatial context. This ability is helpful in a predictive managerial context when reviewed in correspondence with historical evidence identifying behaviors with increased potential for ecological impact.

Psychological commitment of freshwater anglers and its relation to their preferences for stocking and other management actions

Understanding stakeholder diversity can help natural resource managers tailor activities to achieve greater stakeholder satisfaction. Stakeholder diversity can be described by the concept of recreational specialization. Centrality-to-lifestyle, one subdimension of specialization that measures the psychological importance of a recreational activity to an angler, has been shown to explain many human dimensions and behaviors of recreational fishers and to correlate with preferences for management actions. We surveyed 9911 anglers in Florida, USA to examine how centrality-to-lifestyle relates to preferences for stocking and other management tools. We found that most anglers support stocking and that anglers of greater centrality-to-lifestyle had more positive views toward stocking than less central anglers. Participants, regardless of level of centrality-to-lifestyle, generally preferred stocking of one species, Florida largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides), and they preferred habitat management above stocking, with no relation to centrality. The results suggest stocking can improve the satisfaction of anglers of all commitment levels, but habitat improvement could do so even more. Managers might consider prioritizing habitat management over stocking in systems where natural recruitment is ample to increase overall angler satisfaction, and where the anglers will, on average, support such actions independent of the degree of centrality.

Healing the mind and soul through meditation pilgrimage: Understanding recreation specialization, attention restoration, and emotion regulation

Meditation has largely been associated with its religious connotation in the tourism literature. The present research steers away from that tradition to focus on meditative practices as a leisure activity. It addresses the literature void by conducting a survey study on meditation tourists who participated in a 7-day meditation excursion. Based on attention restoration theory and the two-factor theory of emotion, this research contributes to the literature by underscoring a theoretical synthesis of the transformative potential of meditation on tourists' psychological and emotional wellness. It moves beyond the religiously grounded meditation retreat to offer a more generalizable travel phenomenon for body–soul self-improvement. It opens a new avenue for meditation travel by attention restoration through an arousal–cognition perspective. This wellness-related tourism has great potential to gain further popularity for those who have suffered mental and physical stress from the pandemic and other life adversities.

Crawling with a vehicle: Rock-crawlers’ recreation specialization, motivation, and sources of challenges

Rock crawling, an off-road vehicle (ORV) activity for which drivers use highly modified ORVs to climb over extreme terrain and rock obstacles, is an outdoor adventure activity. This thrill-seeking outdoor activity requires specialized skills and knowledge to overcome challenges and remain engaged. This study aims to investigate the relationship between rock crawlers' motivations and the sources of challenges, as well as variations in that relationship due to the different levels of specialization among rock crawlers. A total of 377 rock crawling participants completed the online survey, with 11% self-classifying as novice rock crawlers, 46% as intermediate rock crawlers, and 43% as advanced rock crawlers. Through exploratory factor analysis (EFA), four motivation factors and seven sources of rock crawling challenges were identified. The results of canonical correlation analysis revealed positive associations between rock crawlers' motivations, including socialization, relaxation and freedom, self-expression, and sense of achievement, and the sources of challenges such as environmental uncertainty, activity difficulty, and competition in rock crawling. Furthermore, the results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated variations in rock crawlers’ motivations and sources of challenges across the three specialized groups. Management implicationsThe study aims to assist public land management agencies in integrating social science research into the decision-making process and sustainable management for off-roading on public land. To operate a sustainable rock crawling program, management should emphasize: (1) providing sufficient accommodations and access to fulfill socialization needs while ensuring safety; (2) organizing special events or competitions to enhance rock crawlers’ psychological well-being and life satisfaction; (3) executing targeted marketing campaigns to attract committed or advanced rock crawlers, thereby contributing to the local economy; and (4) advocating for clean energy consumption and regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

The Potential Pro-Environmental Behavior Spillover Effects of Specialization in Environmentally Responsible Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreationists represent a key population to educate for pro-environmental behavior (PEB). Given that previous research has found a mixed relationship between outdoor recreation and PEB, this research merges several concepts to better understand the social psychological nuances of this relationship. Specifically, this study explores how specialization regarding environmentally responsible outdoor recreation is related to other PEBs through a behavioral spillover framework. A correlational structural equation model was utilized to test this framework within a merged population of individuals from the Leave No Trace organization and general United States citizens. The results suggested that traditional behavioral spillover dynamics held for private PEBs but not public PEBs. However, recreation specialization was significantly related to both PEB types. These results suggest that the current behavioral spillover theory may only explain the relationship between some PEBs. Furthermore, environmentally responsible outdoor recreation specialization may be a promising pathway toward a spillover into encouraging private and public PEBs.

Big five personality and recreation specialization are related to satisfaction with life in birders

Personality traits and recreation specialization are related to an individual's satisfaction with life. In addition, previous research has identified relationships between personality traits and recreational specialization. However, little is known about the interrelationship of the two variables in relation to life satisfaction. In this study, we addressed these relationships in birdwatchers. 555 birders (Mage = 49.11 years, SDage = 17.14; 380 males, 170 females, 2 diverse, 3 without answer) from German-speaking countries filled out an online survey. The participants rated the BFI-10, a global assessment of life satisfaction, and three dimensions of recreation specialization (skill/knowledge, behavior, commitment). Satisfaction with life was positively correlated with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and negatively with neuroticism. Concerning recreation specialization, positive relationships between satisfaction with life and skill/knowledge as well as behavior were found; especially the dimension of skill/knowledge was positively related to conscientiousness and negatively to neuroticism. Openness was negatively related to the three dimensions of recreation specialization. The mediation analyses showed that skill/knowledge is directly and indirectly related to satisfaction with life. Birding as active outdoor activity has positive relationship with life satisfaction, and this seems to be mainly based on the cognitive component, with a high knowledge related to a higher life satisfaction.

A Study on Recreational Anglers’ Participation Process of Environmentally Responsible Behaviors Using Recreation Specialization and Consumptive Orientation Behaviors

A Study on Recreational Anglers’ Participation Process of Environmentally Responsible Behaviors Using Recreation Specialization and Consumptive Orientation Behaviors

Using catch orientations to identify clusters of North Carolina trout anglers

AbstractObjectiveWe sought to (1) assess the validity of a catch orientation measure for mountain trout angling in North Carolina, (2) segment North Carolina trout anglers based on catch orientation, (3) explore associations between classified catch orientation clusters and other angler non‐catch‐specific characteristics, and (4) explore mountain trout angling classification preferences between classified catch orientation clusters.MethodsNorth Carolina trout anglers were the focus of our investigation and were surveyed with an online questionnaire. We validated a four‐dimensional latent structure of catch orientation measures and clustered anglers based on catch orientation attitudes. We ran multiple between cluster comparative tests to explore unique characteristics of each cluster.ResultWe identified three trout angling clusters: non‐catch‐oriented anglers, trophy anglers, and consumptive anglers. Consumptive anglers were unique in their positive attitudes towards catching many fish and keeping fish, using natural bait and artificial lures, angling in streams with the least restrictive rules, and being motivated by social activity‐general factors. Trophy anglers were unique in their positive attitudes towards catching trophy (large) fish and the activity‐specific motive of fishing for sport. Also, they prefer to fish in streams that are stocked with trophy fish and have catch‐and‐release regulations for half of the year. Non‐catch‐oriented anglers scored lowest on most catch orientation metrics, were motivated by the activity‐general motives of “nature,” and preferred angling in the most abundant and dispersed network of streams.ConclusionOur study identified divergence in catch orientations directed at a particular sport fish family, implications for future applications of recreation specialization, and potential improvements in catch orientation measures. These profiles also provide managers with information to assist in meeting management plan goals, examining access issues, and engaging with the public. We highlight the importance of pragmatic and sport‐fish‐family‐specific inquiries into angler diversity and discuss applied implications of these results.

Recreational specialization and the marine-based conservation behaviour intention of recreational divers in Hong Kong

This study examined divers' recreational specialization, pro-environmental attitudes, and marine-based conservation behaviour intentions. A questionnaire-based data collection approach was used to survey 398 divers who visited popular diving sites in Hong Kong by employing structural equation modelling to determine the potential relationships among the proposed variables. The results showed a statistically positive relationship between divers' recreational specialization and their pro-environmental attitudes, along with a statistically valid relationship between divers' recreational specialization and their marine-based conservation behaviour intentions. However, divers' pro-environmental attitudes were not statistically significant with their marine-based conservation behaviour intentions; thus, the discrepancy regarding different research findings between the current and previous studies was further discussed. In particular, our findings confirmed that recreational specialization could be a reliable predictor of divers' pro-environmental attitudes and marine-based conservation behaviour intentions to fill the research gaps regarding scuba diving-based nature tourism in Hong Kong. Consequently, management implications and recommendations were presented in accordance with the development of marine environmental conservation and sustainable scuba diving tourism in Hong Kong.

Effect of Outdoor Leisure Activity Participation on Leisure Attitude, Serious Leisure, Recreational Specialization, and Leisure Satisfaction

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tendency for people to participate more frequently in outdoor leisure activities as opposed to indoor leisure activities. Leisure activities bestow various benefits. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction among outdoor leisure activity participants in South Korea. Therefore, this research is used to analyze the relationships amongst leisure attitudes, serious leisure, recreational specialization, and leisure satisfaction among various theories about leisure. The participants in this study were collected from amongst 356 people who were frequent participants in outdoor leisure activities. For the data analysis, we used frequency, confirmatory analysis, reliability, correlation, and structural equaling modeling. The findings are as follows. First, leisure attitude had an influence on serious leisure and leisure satisfaction. Second, serious leisure had an effect on recreational specialization and leisure satisfaction. Third, recreational specialization had an influence on leisure satisfaction. According to the results of this study, leisure attitude and recreational specialization had insignificant effects, but all other hypotheses were accepted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it was various reasons such as, leisure attitude, serious leisure, recreational specialization, leisure satisfaction and which was continuous participation in outdoor leisure activities were confirmed in South Korea.

Exploring the Relationships Across Recreation Specialization, Leisure Satisfaction, and Happiness: The Case of Korean Hikers

Prior studies have challenged the notion that recreationists progress along the specialization continuum over time. Using a sample of 443 Korean hikers, this study aimed to determine whether the relationship of specialization to leisure involvement, leisure satisfaction, and happiness is linear or curvilinear. Further, we examined the potential moderating effect of specialization on the relationship between leisure satisfaction and happiness. Results indicated that hikers showed greater specialization as their behavioral involvement increased to a certain point, beyond which specialization decreased. There were also inverted U-shape curvilinear relationships of specialization to levels of leisure satisfaction and happiness. Moreover, there was a significant moderating effect of specialization on the relationship between leisure satisfaction and happiness. Our findings provide deeper insights into the relationship between specialization, leisure satisfaction, and happiness among hikers. Furthermore, managerial implications for public leisure agencies to improve leisure satisfaction and psychological well-being of hikers were discussed.

Progression through time: Development of birdwatcher careers based on propensity score matching

Recreation specialization postulates that people progress through a career when engaging in a leisure activity. This has been studied by cross-sectional and few panel studies, but both methods have some shortcomings. Here, I studied German birdwatchers from the 16 federal states of Germany by employing the propensity score matching method. Data were collected using the online research tool SoSciSurvey between 14 February 2020 and 15 June 2020 include study population, sampling, data collection, and analysis in short. Three career stages of the same size were defined according to birdwatching experience in years. Then, respondents were matched according to age, gender, federal state, and educational level but differed in their leisure career stages by propensity score matching, thus birders of the same age, gender, educational level, and federal state were identified that differed in their birding experience in years. Stage 1 was birders with ≤10 years of birding, stage 2 with 11–34, and stage 3 with ≥35 years. This led to 177 pairs in the stage 1–2 comparison and 113 pairs in the group 2–2 comparison. The recreation specialization construct based on the dimensions behavior, skill, and commitment was applied. There was a highly significant effect concerning skill/knowledge and behavior between stage 1 and 2 (p < .001 for both). However, no differences were found concerning personal and behavioral commitment (p > .5). Skill/knowledge increased again between stage 2 and 3 (F = 4.554, df = 112, p = .035), no significant changes concerning the other three dimensions behavior, personal, and behavioral commitments were found (p > .2). The study provides evidence for a career development in leisure.

Cribbage culture and social worlds: An analysis of closeness, inclusiveness, and specialization

Recreation specialization through the lenses of social worlds is a common approach used to describe how people define and are defined by recreation activities. This ethnographic study investigates the social worlds of cribbage players. The study analyzes cultural structures through the lenses of closeness, inclusiveness, and recreation specialization. Using survey questionnaires, informal interviews, and researcher observations, data were collected at cribbage events over a period of 3 years. Findings reveal a distinct cribbage culture characterized by varying levels of commitment, specialization, and degrees of connectedness. The study contributes to the currently limited literature on social worlds and indoor recreation specialization. It provides insight as to how people align at a community level to find meaning via recreational activities. Data also reveals a lack of social diversity in the cribbage community. Findings could be used in leisure programming for diversity and inclusion at community and grassroots levels.

Exploring an Optimal Model of Cognitive, Behavioral, and Affective Recreation Specialization based on the Experience and Goods of Scuba Divers

PURPOSE Recreation specialization theory, which is characterized by a unique development process and progress, has been found to have varied pathways that develop in different patterns based on each dimension of recreation specialization. This study aimed to investigate how each sub-dimension of specialization changes as the degrees of experiential participation (frequency, period, and intensity of participation) and goods investment (expenditure) of the scuba divers increase. METHODS In the summer of 2021 (May-August), a purposive sampling method was used to collect samples from young scuba divers, and 278 copies of valid data were used for the final analysis. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, curve estimation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were performed using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 24.0 ver. RESULTS The findings were as follows. First, the quadratic nonlinear model was identified as the optimal model for the relationships between the scuba divers’ participation intensity and cognitive, behavioral, and affective recreation specializations based on experience. Second, the cubic nonlinear model was identified as the optimal model for the relationships between the participation period, frequency of participation, and cognitive, behavioral, and affective recreation specializations of scuba divers. Third, the cubic nonlinear model was identified as the optimal model for the relationships between the expenditure cost of scuba divers and the cognitive, behavioral, and affective recreation specializations in the center of the goods. As the period, frequency, and expenditure of scuba diving participants increased, the relevant cognitive, behavioral, and affective specializations did not progress in a linear manner; instead, they went through an intermediate maintenance stage and developed to a higher level. CONCLUSIONS Progressive and meaningful consumption of experiences and goods further promotes recreation specialization. Any future follow-up study should identify a trade-off point in the development of the recreation specialization in a step by step manner.

웨이트트레이닝의 참여정도와 레크리에이션 전문화의 최적모형 탐색

연구목적 이 연구는 웨이트트레이닝 참여자들의 참여경력, 참여빈도, 참여시간, 참여비용 등 참여 정도를 중심으로 레크리에이션 전문화에 영향을 미치는 최적의 모형을 탐색함으로써 전문화에 입문한 참여자들의 효율적인 발전과 유지에 도움을 줄 수 있는 기준치를 탐색하는 데 목적이 있다. 연구방법 2021년 12월부터 약 3개월 동안 6개월 이상 웨이트트레이닝에 참여하고 있는 참여자들을 대상으로 목적표집법을 활용하여 설문조사를 하였으며, 최종 270부를 분석에 활용하였다. 선정된 자료는 SPSS Ver. 27.0, AMOS Ver. 27.0 프로그램을 이용하여 빈도분석, 기술통계분석, 확인적 요인분석, 신뢰도 분석, 상관관계 분석, 곡선 추정 분석을 하였다. 결과 첫째, 웨이트트레이닝의 참여경력과 레크리에이션 전문화의 관계에 대한 최적모형은 2차 비선형모형으로 파악되었다. 둘째, 웨이트트레이닝의 참여빈도와 레크리에이션 전문화의 관계에서 1차 선형모형이 최적모형으로 판단되었다. 셋째, 웨이트트레이닝의 참여시간과 레크리에이션 전문화의 관계에 대한 최적모형은 1차 선형모형으로 나타났다. 넷째, 웨이트트레이닝의 참여비용과 레크리에이션 전문화의 관계에서 1차 선형모형이 최적모형으로 도출되었다. 결론 웨이트트레이닝의 참여경력이 증가함에 따라 레크리에이션 전문화가 증가하였으며, 중간지점을 기점으로 전문화가 다소 감소하였다. 웨이트트레이닝의 참여빈도, 참여시간, 참여비용이 증가함에 따라 레크리에이션 전문화가 선형적으로 발전하는 양상이 나타났다.