Sports Resort Research Articles

Stakeholder assemblages of destination climate adaptation

ABSTRACTThis paper examines local perceptions of climate adaptation. We develop climate scenarios using the Tourism Climate Index (TCI) to determine the type of tourism that future climate resources will support. Using the case study of Croatia, our findings suggest the possibility of season extension, but also problematic snow cover for winter sports resorts. We design our study using assemblage theory, enabling us to examine local perceptions to climate change adaptation whilst unpacking the complex combination of (local) diverse, relational and processual approaches. Hence, through the lens of assemblage theory, we contend that participants’ perceptions are heterogenous, dependent on their socio-economic roles, agendas, and purposes. Participants’ narratives shape four different assemblages: tourism products, education, cooperation and transformation. Our informants highlight willingness to keep tourism as a main economic activity, in spite of negative links to climate change. Yet, assemblages on ecological education and cooperation address the importance of re-thinking how tourism can contribute to addressing climate change instead of focusing primarily and only on adaptation avenues.

The Production of a Landscape by and for Skiing – A History of Winter Sports Resorts in the French-Italian Alps through the Work of the Architect and Town Planner Laurent Chappis

La présente contribution interroge, à travers un regard historique, les interrelations entre la conception des stations touristiques nouvelles et la transformation des paysages de haute montagne. En effet, la création des stations de ski ne s’est pas uniquement concrétisée par l’implantation d’édifices et d’infrastructures en haute altitude. Tout au contraire, diverses composantes de l’environnement telles que la forêt, la morphologie du sol, l’hydrographie ont été modifiées. Par ailleurs, les caractères à la fois biophysiques et historiques des sites d’implantation ont influencé les processus de conception et de construction des stations de haute altitude. Nous adoptons comme angle d’observation et comme fil conducteur le parcours professionnel de l’urbaniste et architecte Laurent Chappis (1915-2013), qui permet d’explorer divers cas d’étude dans les Alpes franco-italiennes, à partir des années 1940 et jusqu’aux années 1980. Nous voulons comprendre les méthodes et les outils empruntés par l’architecte dans la définition des plans des stations, les éléments qui participent à la construction d’un paysage, l’évolution à la fois de l’approche de l’architecte et des plans. Par une relecture de l’histoire, nous parvenons à une réflexion sur les rapports entre projet et environnement dans les terres de haute altitude.

Environmental History, The History of Tourism in the Mountains and the Construction of New Knowledge: A Study of the Architecture of Winter Sports Resorts in the French-Italian Alps

Environmental history is a rapidly developing field of study. In keeping with the ecological, energy and health issues that affect contemporary societies, it is important to understand the past by examining the interactions between human and natural factors. This interest is particularly evident in work on the Alps and mountains in general. Our contribution relates and adds to studies focused on the history of tourism in the Alps and assesses the capacity of environmental history to produce a renewed knowledge. Moreover, it investigates the specificity of the Alps and the mountains as a privileged field of study for environmental history. After outlining recent scientific output from around the world based on environmental history, we present the results obtained through a research experiment on the history of winter sports resorts in the French-Italian Alps. Understanding the relationships between the evolution of the projects and the natural and historical components of the sites where they are located and extending the spatial and temporal frameworks of the analyses and the use of multiple sources will clarify how tourism develops in high-altitude areas. Our work invites researchers to move beyond the image of infrastructure built “ex nihilo” or on so-called “virgin” sites and a narrative limited to the period of the “Trente Glorieuses” to reveal the dynamics of how a territory transforms over time.

Effect of the Wii Sports Resort on Mobility and Health-Related Quality of Life in Moderate Stroke.

Background Stroke is a common cerebral circulatory disorder that has several sequelae that affect the daily life of patients as well as their quality of life and the lives of people close to them. Video games are being used in the rehabilitation process to address these sequelae and their benefits are shown on physical activity and in the cognition area. However, their effects on daily life activities and quality of life are not known. This study was aimed to test the effect of the Nintendo Wii Sports Resort on mobility and health-related quality of life among patients who have suffered a moderate stroke. Methods A prepost design study was conducted with 30 moderately impaired stroke patients aged 65 ± 15. The study lasted eight weeks. 15 participated in the intervention group and the others belong to the control group. They were assessed in mobility (Timed Get Up and Go Test—TUG) and health-related quality of life (SF-36 Health Questionnaire). Parametric test and effect sizes were used to analyze the change in outcomes and to compare groups. Results There were no differences at baseline between the groups. After the intervention, the intervention group had experienced a greater change according to the size of the effect on the variables concerning TUG (d = 1.32), physical function (d = 1.32), social function (d = 0.71), and Physical Component Summary (d = 0.75). On the other hand, the control group had a significant change in mental health according to effect size; however, this effect is not statistically relevant (d = 0.88; CI 95% = −3.74 to 5.50). Conclusions The results on mobility and health-related quality of life indicate an improvement in both groups. However, according to the effect sizes and its confidence of interval, the intervention group achieved better results than the control group. Although more studies are needed in this area, the results are encouraging for improving mobility and health-related quality of life after stroke.

Identifying the applicable law in cross-border disputes on injuries caused by the covid-19 in India: a critical analysis

The outbreak of COVID-19 (also known as the novel coronavirus disease) has led to the initiation of several disputes. While some of these relate to the non-performance of contracts, others concern the damages arising from the injuries caused by coming into contact with the virus. Considering the nature of the pandemic, a plethora of disputes arising from tortious liability for the injuries caused are likely to involve a foreign element—when it results in injuries in some form to persons by the violation of quarantine rules by foreigners or the failure to impose a lockdown to curb the outbreak. For instance, in the United States [US], a group of individuals and business owners have reportedly initiated proceedings against the Chinese government for failing to prevent the disease from spreading. Likewise, tourists from several countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom have initiated mass litigation against the Austrian Federal State of Tyrol and tourist businesses such as sports resorts, bars and restaurants for continuing the to operate in the State despite being designated as a high-risk zone. International disputes such as these chiefly involve the identification of the law that will govern the claim to decide the rights and liabilities of the parties. Unlike in the case of contractual claims, the determination of the applicable law is more arduous in the case of torts for the reason that the parties rarely, if ever, know each other and do not expect any particular person to injure them by the harmful behaviour. That said, several countries across the globe have made remarkable progress over the years in developing a framework to identify the governing law to adjudicate cross-border disputes on torts. The European Union [EU], the UK, China, Russia, Australia and Canada are some examples. In contrast, India continues to adhere to the century-old mechanism developed under the English common law which has mostly been replaced in the UK itself. In the absence of any black-letter law on the subject, the development of the method to identify the applicable law in matters of tort has depended on the courts. The Indian courts, however, lack experience in handling international disputes on tort. As a result, there is no conclusive and coherent mechanism to identify the governing law in such matters in India. The paper demonstrates how the rules to determine the applicable law in the present form in India will severely debilitate access to justice and increase transactional costs in obtaining legal information. In particular, it highlights the plethora of problems that are likely to arise in adjudicating disputes concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. In this respect, the author provides some suggestions that the lawmakers may consider while reformulating the mechanism to identify the applicable law in matters of tort and, in particular, while adjudicating disputes relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winter Sports Resorts and Natural Environment—Systematic Literature Review Presenting Interactions between Them

The systematic literature review method was adopted to analyze the content of papers published since 2001 that focused on interactions between winter sports resort operations and the natural environment. A total of 86 papers published in journals indexed in SCOPUS data base were analyzed. Three main groups of topics presented in analyzed papers were found: the environmental impact of winter sports resorts, the management of environmental impacts and sustainable development of winter sports resorts, and finally the impact of climate change on winter sports resort operations. The biggest number of publications were devoted to the latter topic, and interest in conducting research within this area has apparently grown during the last two decades. However, most conclusions reached by the authors of numerous studies are site-specific and difficult to extend to other resorts/destinations. Additionally, the conclusions presented in many papers are contrary to the results achieved in other publications. Several gaps in our contemporary scientific knowledge and directions of future research are suggested in addition to the abovementioned results of the analysis conducted in the presented paper as the final conclusion of the research.

Intention to Engage in Winter Sport in Climate Change Affected Environments.

Exercise, including winter sport activities, shows positive effects on physical and mental health, with additional benefits when participating in natural environments. Winter sport activities are particularly vulnerable to climate change, since global warming will decrease the duration and amount of snow. In the context of climate change in alpine environments, little is known on the determinants of winter sport behavior. Thus, the following study primarily aimed at comparing the effect of being exposed to a climate change affected scenario (CCA) or to a climate change unaffected scenario (CCU) on the intention to engage in recreational winter sport activities. Secondly, we aimed to analyze the role of anticipated affective responses during exercising based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An experimental cross-sectional web-based study design was used. Participants were randomly allocated to pictures of either CCA or CCU. TPB variables and affective responses with regard to the displayed scenarios were assessed. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney-U Tests, linear regression, and mediation analyses. Significant group differences were seen in all TPB variables, p < 0.038; −0.13 < r < −0.30, as well as in affective responses, p < 0.001; −0.24 < r < −0.85. Lower intention to engage in winter sport activities and lower anticipated affective valence during exercising was found in CCA compared to CCU. Attitude toward winter sport was significantly positively associated with intention to engage in winter sport, beta = 0.66, p < 0.001. The effect of group allocation on attitude was mediated by anticipated affective valence, indirect effect = 0.37, p < 0.001. Intention to engage in recreational winter sport activities was lower in participants exposed to the climate change affected winter sport scenario. Since affective valence seems to influence attitude and consequently intention to exercise, the role of non-cognitive variables with regard to climate change related exposure should be considered in future studies. Therefore, winter sport resorts may consider altered winter sport behaviors due to the consequences of climate change as well as the importance of providing an optimal framework to enhance affective valence of their guests in order to mitigate potential changes in winter sports behavior.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on traumatic brain injuries in Tyrol: experiences from a state under lockdown.

PurposeIn February 2020, the federal state of Tyrol in Austria has become one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tyrol is known for numerous skiing areas. Thus, winter sport resorts became a starting point for COVID-19 infections spreading towards the rest of the state, Austria and other countries, leading to a mandatory quarantine for almost a million people, who were placed under a curfew and restrictions in daily life. Additionally, all ski resorts and hotels were closed. We aimed to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 quarantine on traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases in Tyrol.MethodsWe retrospectively compared demographical and injury characteristics from all TBI patients within the 2020 strict quarantine period with the respective time periods from 2016 to 2019. As our department is the only neurosurgical unit in Tyrol, all patients with moderate or severe TBI are transferred to our hospital.ResultsDuring 3 weeks of the full quarantine period, the weekly TBI cases load decreased significantly in comparison to the same time periods in the years 2016–2019. Furthermore, concomitant skull fractures decreased significantly (p < 0.016), probably reflecting different causative mechanisms. The other demographical and injury characteristics and particularly falls at home stayed relatively unchanged.ConclusionTBI remained an important contributor to the neurosurgical workflow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies to ensure neurosurgical care also under pandemic-induced lockdown are important.

웰빙 라이프스타일에 따른 해양스포츠에 대한 지각된 가치 및 구매의도 관계

웰빙 라이프스타일에 따른 해양스포츠에 대한 지각된 가치 및 구매의도 관계

Effect of the Wii Sports Resort on the improvement in attention, processing speed and working memory in moderate stroke

BackgroundStroke is the most common neurological disease in the world. After the stroke, some people suffer a cognitive disability. Commercial videogames have been used after stroke for physical rehabilitation; however, their use in cognitive rehabilitation has hardly been studied. The objectives of this study were to analyze attention, processing speed, and working memory in patients with moderate stroke after an intervention with Wii Sports Resort and compared these results with a control group.MethodsA pre-post design study was conducted with 30 moderate stroke patients aged 65 ± 15. The study lasted eight weeks. 15 participated in the intervention group and 15 belong to the control group. They were assessed in attention and processing speed (TMT-A and B) and working memory (Digit Span of WAIS-III). Parametric and effect size tests were used to analyze the improvement of those outcomes and compared both groups.ResultsAt the baseline, there was no difference between TMT-A and B. A difference was found in the scalar score of TMT-B, as well as in Digit Backward Span and Total Digit Task. In TMT-A and B, the intervention group had better scores than the control group. The intervention group in the Digit Forward Span and the Total Digit obtained a moderate effect size and the control group also obtained a moderate effect size in Total Digit. In the Digit scalar scores, the control group achieved better results than the intervention group.ConclusionsThe results on attention, processing speed and working memory improved in both groups. However, according to the effect sizes, the intervention group achieved better results than the control group. In addition, the attention and processing speed improved more than the working memory after the intervention. Although more studies are needed in this area, the results are encouraging for cognitive rehabilitation after stroke.

Effect of Virtual Reality Game on Old Patient s Depression, Relationship and Life Satisfaction

본 연구는 가상현실 게임이 노인 뇌졸중 환자의 우울, 대인관계, 삶의 만족도에 미치는 효과를 알아보기 위하여 실시되었다. 연구대상은 65세 이상의 뇌졸중 노인 40명으로, 전통적 작업치료만 실시한 대조군과 전통적 작업치료와 2인이 함께 가상현실 게임을 수행한 실험군에 각각 20명씩 무선배치하여 총 12주간 실시하였다. 실험군에게 적용된 가상현실 게임은 Nintendo Wii Sports Resort 프로그램을 적용하였고, 대상자의 심리·사회적요인을 알아보기 위해 우울증 척도 (Beck Depression Inventory; BDI), 대인관계 변화 척도(Relationship change scale; RCS), 삶의 만족도(Life Satisfaction Index-Z; LSI-Z)를 이 용하여 실험 전과 실험 후의 평가를 시행하였다. 이에 대한 연구결과는 다음과 같았다. 첫째, 심리·사회적(우울, 대인관계)변화를 살펴본 결과 우울은 두 군 모두, 대인관계는 실험군에서만 통계적으로 유의한 향상을 나타났다(p<.001). 둘째, 삶의 만족도의 변화를 본 결과 대조군(p<.05), 실험군(p<.001) 모두에서 통계적으로 유의한 향상을 보였다. 셋째, 우울, 대인관계 및 삶의 만족도와의 상관관계를 본 결과 우울증, 대인관계는 삶의 만족도와 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계를 보였다(p<.05). 이상의 결과를 정리하면 2인이 함께 수행하는 가상현실 게임이 뇌졸중 노인환자의 심리·사회적요인(우울, 대인관계) 과, 삶의 만족도에 유의미한 효과가 있음이 알 수 있었다.This study was conducted to investigate the effect of virtual reality game on old stroke patient s depression, relationship and life satisfaction. The subjects of this study were 40 stroke patients of over 65 years old and each 20 patients were randomly assigned in two groups. The study was conducted for 12 weeks. Nintendo Wii Sports Resort program was applied to the virtual reality game for the experimental group. In order to investigate psychological·social factor (depression, relationship) and life satisfaction of the objects, BDI, RCS, LSI-Z were checked three times. The results are as followings. First, the psychological·social change (depression, relationship) after the training program showed that depression is significantly decreased (p<.001) along with the intervention period in both 2 groups. Second, change of life satisfaction after the training program showed that significant statistical improvement were found both in control group(p<.05), and experimental group(p<.001). Third, depression, relationship showed the significant statistically correlation with life satisfaction(p<.05). We can conclude from the above that virtual reality games which were played by 2 persons had the significant effect on old stroke patient s psychological·social factor(depression, relationship) and life satisfaction.

Mii-vitaliSe: a pilot randomised controlled trial of a home gaming system (Nintendo Wii) to increase activity levels, vitality and well-being in people with multiple sclerosis

ObjectivesWhile the health and well-being benefits of physical activity are recognised, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) often face greater barriers than the general population. The Nintendo Wii potentially offers a...

The Narrative Impact of Active Video Games on Physical Activity Among Children: A Feasibility Study.

BackgroundActive video games (AVGs) capable of inducing physical activity offer an innovative approach to combating childhood obesity. Unfortunately, children’s AVG game play decreases quickly, underscoring the need to identify novel methods for player engagement. Narratives have been demonstrated to influence behaviors. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a narrative would motivate increased AVG play, though a feasibility study that investigated the motivational effect of adding a previously developed narrative cutscene to an originally nonnarrative AVG, Nintendo Wii Sports Resort: Swordplay Showdown.MethodsA total of 40 overweight and obese 8- to 11-year-olds equally divided by sex played the AVG. Half (n=20) were randomly assigned to a narrative group that watched the narrative cutscene before game play. The other half played the game without watching it.ResultsChildren in the narrative group had significantly (P<.05) more steps per 10-second period (mean 3.2, SD 0.7) and overall (mean 523, SD 203) during game play compared with the nonnarrative group (10-second period: mean 2.7, SD 0.7; overall: mean 366, SD 172).ConclusionsThe AVG with narrative induced increased physical activity. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which narrative increases physical activity during AVG game play.

The bodily engagement of snow park freestylers: A study in three French winter sports resorts

Snow parks constitute an essential part of the drawing power of winter sports resorts. However, epidemiological studies have highlighted the increased risk of snow park accidents when compared with those of traditional piste runs. In the light of such findings, the aim has been to understand why and how freestyle enthusiasts deal with the particular dangers brought about by the various features of a snow park. Eighteen observation days in three French resorts were coupled with 38 semi-directive interviews throughout the 2012–2013 winter season. Results show that risk in freestyling does not constitute, in itself, the explanation of the behaviours adopted. It appears rather as a means that makes it possible to achieve a certain state and sensorial satisfaction, as well as a feeling of expertise and self-fulfillment. Far from the stereotypes conveyed concerning freestylers and their spontaneous and reckless risk-taking, the different elements highlighted in this article attest, on the contrary, to a well thought-out and rational relationship with the danger incurred.

해양스포츠리조트의 서비스회복노력이 회복만족과 충성도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of service recovery upon recovery satisfaction and loyalty in local marine sport resorts.BR For this study, 250 customers who had complains from the local marine sport resorts in 2015 were chosen as the sample through convenince sampling method. The questionnaire was used, and the data was analyzed by using SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 19.0.BR The results of this study were as follows;BR Firstly, the local marine sport resorts’ service recovery efforts have a positive effect on recovery satisfaction.BR Secondly, the local marine sport resorts’ service recovery efforts do not have a significant effect upon loyalty.BR Lastly, recovery satisfaction has a positive effect upon loyalty.

Free Lunch and Ride Sharing: A New Business Model for Winter Sport Resorts

This paper proposes a new business model for winter sport resorts, by adopting a cluster approach. By following the guidelines for design research, we propose a new online service, which combines the notions of ridesharing and rebate. Ridesharing is often seen as a solution to reduce the number of cars in winter sport resorts, whereas the delivery of discount coupon has been used to increase the amount of customers. Hence, we propose to reward skiers that share a ride with coupons of complementary activities in the winter sport resorts. We describe our proposed service by describing its customer journey.

SAS Focus

It was September 2015 in the Berg, and the hills were alive with the sound of physics — geophysics, to be more precise. True to form, the South African Geophysical Association (SAGA) 14th Biennial Conference and Exhibition was held in one of the most majestic locations South Africa has to offer: the Central Drakensberg. Champagne Sports Resort, nestled in the foothills of the Drakensberg below looming basaltic cliffs, played host to this year's event.

Analysis Of The Heart Rate Responses Between Two Different Wii Sports Resort Canoeing Exercise Sessions

Much research has been conducted using interactive video games (ie. exergames) as a potential exercise mode. Nintendo Wii Sports Resort Canoeing (WSRC) is an exergame that has been assessed with results suggesting that playing 30 min of WSRC provided a moderate to vigorous aerobic response in above averagely fit subjects when played using the intermediate difficulty level. However, only two WSRC studies have been reported and assessing the aerobic response when playing the game at the expert difficulty level has not occurred. Thus, there is a need to evaluate WSRC exercise protocols using the expert difficulty level to determine if a higher heart rate response (HRR) could occur leading to a better aerobic workout. PURPOSE: To evaluate potential HRR differences between WSRC exercise sessions at the intermediate (INT) versus expert (EXP) levels and also to determine if playing WSRC at the EXP level yields a HRR that meets the ACSM guidelines for moderate physical activity (ie. HR intensity of 64-76.99% of HRmax). METHODS: Thirty above averagely fit college students (19 males and 11 females) participated in a maximal treadmill GXT to measure maximum heart rate (HRmax). Subjects then completed a 30 min WSRC exercise session at the INT or EXP level 72-96 hrs later. INT and EXP exercise sessions were separated by 72 hrs and completed in a counterbalanced order. Mean HRR and session RPE for INT and EXP were analyzed using Paired-Samples t-Tests with significant differences occurring at p < 0.05. Mean HRR of INT and EXP exercise sessions were also expressed as a percentage of HRmax. RESULTS: INT (135.5 +/- 17.6 bpm) and EXP (132.3 +/- 17.8 bpm) mean HRR were not significantly different (p = 0.09). Session RPE for INT (10.6 +/- 2.2) was also not significantly different (p = 0.17) versus EXP (10.3 +/- 2.1). CONCLUSION: Despite no significant differences occurring for the mean HRR, both INT (70.3 +/- 8.9% of HRmax) and EXP (68.8 +/- 8.3% of HRmax) met the ACSM moderate intensity guidelines suggesting that playing 30 min of Nintendo WSRC using an exercise protocol at the intermediate or expert level provides at least a moderate aerobic response in above averagely fit individuals. Further research should seek to determine if changing the WSRC exergame difficulty level from intermediate to beginner may contribute to a similar aerobic training session.

Application of Wii Sports Resort at a home‐based setting and physical activity training in children with cerebral palsy

Application of Wii Sports Resort at a home‐based setting and physical activity training in children with cerebral palsy

Social representations of risks among winter sports participants: a focus on the influence of sports practice and style in the French Alps

The moment it hit the slopes, snowboarding introduced new, original values concerned with flouting existing standards and emphazing the attractions of risk. Since those first days, ski resorts have seen the local development of this original movement that has given birth to various snowboarding styles. These new styles seem to have promoted a community feeling that makes risk a central concept. Our objective has been to determine whether risk, as a central value of those movements, is differently represented by practitioners, depending on the sport and the sliding style they adopt. In order to answer this question, we made a questionnaire based upon the social representations theory, about a thousand participants filled in at ski resorts. We have thus shown that snowboarding and sliding styles remain a strong symbol able to gather their participants around a specific apprehension of risk at winter sports resorts.