Physiological Responses to Outdoor Recreation: How it Can Help you Prepare your Outdoor Activity and How to Intervene

Abstract

Outdoor activity can help to promote an active lifestyle; however, it is often associated with risks from its surrounding environment. Understanding physiological responses to several outdoor activities and how to use simple monitoring tips to reduce risks will provide real-life applications in the preparation of outdoor recreation. The purpose of this chapter focuses on common stressful conditions: thermoregulation, energy demand, musculoskeletal injuries risks, sleep and recovery. These are some constraints that can be encountered in any outdoor context. The physiological responses and recommendations based on up-to-date research will provide useful methods for risk assessment and how to manage them. Finally, the health benefits from outdoor activity in different populations will complete this chapter in order to help specialists structured and adapted their intervention planning.

The effect of temperature on outdoor recreation activities: evidence from visits to federal recreation sites

“…Outdoor recreation activities contribute positively to both physical and mental health [1][2][3]. Outdoor recreation helps maintain lower body fat percentages and lead to lower blood pressure and cholesterol level [4,5] while also helping stress management and reducing anxiety or depression [6][7][8][9]. Nearly half of Americans aged six and older participate in various types of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing, among many others [10].…”