Benefits of Outdoor Sports in Blue Spaces. The Case of School Nautical Activities in Viana do Castelo

Abstract

Participating in outdoor sports in blue spaces is recognized to produce a range of significant social benefits. This case study empirically analyzes the social benefits associated with the School Nautical Activities project carried out in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) in school-age children and adolescents. It consisted of a 4 year program in which scholars took part in nautical activities (surfing, rowing, sailing, and canoeing) in blue spaces once a week during a semester as a part of their physical education course. The methods used for data collection were as follows: (1) a survey answered by 595 participants in the program and (2) five focus groups (FG): two FGs with participants (seven on each FG), two FGs with their parents (eight participants each), and one FG with the physical education teachers (five participants). Interviews were transcribed and qualitative analysis with NVivo software was developed. Results revealed clear evidence on the social benefits for school-age children and adolescents associated with participation in outdoor activities in blue spaces both in the overall health and in all the following analyzed categories: mental health and well-being, education, active citizenship, social behavior, and environmental awareness. More than 40% state that their overall health is much better now (13.4%) or somewhat better now (29.9%) due to their participation in the program. Thus, this article provides support for the anecdotal recognition of the benefits for school-age children and adolescents from participating in sports in the outdoors and especially in blue spaces.

Personality Features–Decisive Factors in the Development of the Outdoor Education Activities

“…Other authors (Fernández-Gámez, 2018) classify these traits under 4 dimensions happiness (that include self-esteem, enthusiasm…), emotional ability, sociability (fairplay,) and self-control (that include initiative, perseverance, tenacity, critical thinking, planning skills). At the same time, they stimulate the student's learning enthusiasm, impetus of getting implied in new experiences, that can be successfully fulfilled due to a good team interaction and communication (Eigenschenk et al, 2019, Liu & Chen, 2015Rocher et al, 2020) 2. Upon passing through the "Outdoor education" analytical program, the results show a very different enjoyment level.…”

“…These are examples of people's unique qualities that they must possess in order to perform certain tasks at a high level (Chelcea, 1982). Other authors talk about other benefits and impacts of outdoor sports, such as physical and mental health, education and life-long learning, active citizenship, crime, and anti-social mitigation, etc (Eigenschenk et al, 2019;Rocher et al 2020). In order to comprehend the dynamics of retracing outdoor education activities, the present research analyses the findings of a study on personality traits.…”

“…Outdoor sports require specific training and skills and might be represented by boating, surfing, swimming, diving, skiing, or court sports. The main difference between a field sport and a court sport is that the first ones are practiced into an open country not surrounded by cities and the players has the aim to intercept or catch (a ball) and play it, while the court sports are practiced into a courtyard, near a locality and the players has the aim to win (Eigenschenk et al, 2019;Rocher et al, 2020).…”

Surfing on physical education curriculum and the impact on student’s well-being

“…As indicated in previous researches 15 , all students participated in the activities independent of the sociocultural provenience, ethnicity and disability. However, the "Challenge by Choice" principle was applied at all time.…”

“…Even though, also the rivers and the ocean are part of the green exercise setting, defined as "blue spaces" 13 . Blue spaces environments provide an alternative location for high-quality outdoor educational experiences 14,15 Surfing is an aquatic outdoor sport, that takes place in the natural setting, requiring the riding of a moving wave 16 . Furthermore, surfing has been established as a valuable therapeutic approach in i) manage the well-being of combat veterans 17,18 ; ii) improving social skills in children and adolescents with Autism 19,20 iii) creating a stimulating learning environment for children with disabilities 21,22 and iv) promoting personal well-being and social integration in vulnerable children and adolescents 14,[23][24][25] .…”