Recreation
Active recreation is generally non-competitive physical activity engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing, or enjoyment.
“Recreation is an activity that people engage in during their free time, that people enjoy, and that people recognise as having socially redeeming values. The activity performed is less important than the reason for performing the activity, which is the outcome”. 41
‘Active recreation’ (e.g., hiking, paddling, cycling, jogging) is generally non-competitive physical activity engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment. 2, 8, 42 These activities can have many of the characteristics of sport, including being social (when done with friends, likeminded people, or in organised groups) and involving a progression of participation and movement skills across the life course. 42
Governments, particularly local jurisdictions, provide open space and facilities (e.g., parks, ovals, indoor and outdoor facilities) for recreational activity. 43, 44 However, people generally engage in active recreation at a time that suits their needs, and in a less-formal setting that may include, but does not rely upon, varying degrees of competition, rules, and organisational involvement. 42, 44
Further reading and resources
- Action area 6: Sport and active recreation, opens in a new tab, Salmon J, Eime R, Brown H et al., in: Blueprint for an Active Australia. 3rd ed., National Heart Foundation of Australia, (2019). Active recreation has been defined as those activities ‘engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment with the primary activity requiring physical exertion, and the primary focus on human activity’. Participation in these activities is linked positively to physical, social and cognitive health.
- Active Impacts: The economic impacts of active recreation in Victoria, opens in a new tab, Marsden Jacob for Sport and Recreation Victoria, (March 2018). Active recreation in Victoria is extremely diverse. It can be undertaken alone or with others, and ranges from walking, yoga and barefoot bowls to trail running, cycling, parkour and abseiling. As distinct from competition sport, active recreation is engaged in for relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment. The primary activity requires physical exertion, and the primary focus is on human activity. This report shows that active recreation is a larger part of Victorians’ physical activity than organised sport. It also shows that active recreation accounts for more physical activity sessions, time and energy expenditure than sport by a significant margin. Active recreation is a significant contributor to the Victorian economy, and a larger part of the economy than most of us realise. Around $8.3 billion is spent each year on active recreation in Victoria. That expenditure makes a $8.1 billion value-added contribution to the state’s economy and supports around 51,000 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs. Based on work by Deakin Health Economics commissioned for this project, we estimate that making every Victorian adult physically active would deliver healthcare system benefits worth $245 million. It would also deliver workplace production benefits potentially worth $3.1 billion over the lifetime of this population, based on estimates of production lost due to people leaving work because of death or disability. And it would provide home-based labour production benefits worth around $125 million.
- The value of community sport infrastructure: Investigating the value of community sport facilities to Australia (2018), KPMG for the Australian Sports Commission, (2018). For the purposes of this project, community sport infrastructure is considered to be any of the following that supports local, regional or state based sport or sporting activities: Outdoor sport and recreation facilities (including playing fields, ovals and courts); Indoor sport and recreation facilities; Indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities; Multi-use sporting hubs, and Amenities and facilities associated with the above.
- Examining group walks in nature and multiple aspects of well-being: a large-scale study, opens in a new tab, Marselle M, Irvine K and Warber S, Ecopsychology, Volume 6(3), pp.134-147, (2014). Outdoor walking groups promote the benefits of social interaction, connections with nature, and physical activity. This study sought to identify the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing benefits from participating in group walks in nature. A sample of 1,516 adults belonging to either ‘Nature Group Walkers’ or non-walkers were compared. Controlling for covariates, this research found that participants in walking groups suffered significantly less depression and perceived stress, as well as having enhanced feelings of wellbeing. This study identifies the mental and emotional wellbeing benefits derived from participation in group walks in nature and supports the potential mental health benefits of outdoor group walk programs.
- Monash Active Recreation Opportunities Strategy, opens in a new tab, City of Monash, (November 2021). The City of Monash provides a network of parks and reserves across the municipality that provide space for sport, recreation and play. Parks and reserves have traditionally been developed to cater for organised sport and play, but facilities that create opportunities for active recreation are only now becoming prominent due to increasing demand. Active recreation has emerged as an increasing important contributor to the health and wellbeing of communities. While all physical activity is important to build healthy and connected communities, active recreation has become increasingly important due to the flexibility it provides for people to participate ‘in their own way’. Active recreation is defined as activity that is noncompetitive and outside of organised sport or play. Active recreation is undertaken in a person's leisure time and is focused on health and fitness, fun, enjoyment and social connection. Active recreation is less structured than sport, providing flexibility to participate at times and in places that are convenient. Active recreation can be undertaken individually or in groups, and is primarily self-initiated by the participant.
- Every Body Active Strategic Plan 2020-2024, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand, (2020). When we refer to the Play, Active Recreation and Sport system we’re talking about central and local government agencies, regional sports trusts, sport organisations, private and commercial providers, schools, clubs, teams, investors, social groups and families. It encompasses the collection of regulations, organisations, places and people who directly or indirectly participate, support, contribute to or influence Play, Active Recreation and Sport in Aotearoa New Zealand. There are four domains to physical activity: active leisure, active transport, household chores and occupational activity. Our role and core purpose is within the active leisure domain. It is here where we seek to improve physical activity levels through Play, Active Recreation and Sport to ensure the greatest impact on wellbeing of all those living within Aotearoa New Zealand.
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