Adaptative Strategies for Outdoor Recreation During a Time of Stress: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.
This research investigates how people adapted their outdoor recreational activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and which adaptation strategies were most effective at helping them maintain or increase their outdoor activities.
College of Health researcher(s)
College unit(s)
Abstract
Maintaining engagement in outdoor recreation during COVID-19 required adaptation as the pandemic continuously reshaped risk perceptions, use of outdoor space, and interpersonal contact. This study examined the role of four main adaptive strategies in outdoor recreation engagement among U.S. adults during one of the nation’s largest waves of COVID-19 cases and death. Cross-sectional data were collected through an online survey in February 2021 (N = 503) from an online panel representative of the U.S. adult population in age, gender, and race. Multiple linear regression results suggested that increasing effort and temporal adjustment were associated with higher outdoor recreation frequency controlling for the effects of nearby green space access and attributes, COVID risk perception, and demographic variables. Binary logistic regression results revealed that these same strategies were also associated with increased odds of maintaining or increasing outdoor engagement relative to pre-COVID level. The prominent role of individual adaptive strategies relative to the impact of nearby green space access and attributes highlighted the value of behavioral adaptation at the individual level in times of major disruptions and constraints and the need to prioritize recreation programming to facilitate adaptation and healthy behaviors during future stressful events.
FAQ on Adapting Outdoor Recreation During Stressful Times
What were the main adaptive strategies people used for outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why were they important?
People used four main adaptive strategies:
- Increasing effort (trying to get outdoors more)
- Creative approaches (finding creative ways to recreate outdoors)
- Exploring new places
- Temporal adjustment (changing schedules to fit in outdoor activities)
These strategies were important for maintaining physical activity and mental health when indoor activities and social gatherings were limited. They helped individuals negotiate the various constraints imposed by the pandemic, such as travel restrictions, social distancing, and facility closures.
Which of these adaptive strategies had the biggest impact on maintaining or increasing outdoor recreation?
Temporal adjustment and increasing effort had the most significant positive impact on outdoor recreation. People who adjusted their schedules and made a concerted effort to go outdoors were more likely to engage in outdoor recreation more frequently and to maintain or increase their levels of outdoor activity compared to pre-pandemic levels. The other two strategies were not as effective in this regard.
How did access to and the quality of nearby green spaces affect people's outdoor recreation during COVID-19?
While the study considered access to and quality of nearby green spaces as factors, they found that individual adaptation strategies had a more pronounced effect on outdoor recreation frequency than the structural factors like park access and amenities. However, perceptions of safety in green spaces did positively correlate with frequency of outdoor recreation. Moreover, feeling that nearby green spaces were aesthetically pleasing was associated with a higher likelihood of maintaining or increasing outdoor recreation engagement, while perceived crowding and risk of infection in those spaces were associated with a lower likelihood of maintaining or increasing.
Were there any differences in how people of different demographics used these adaptive strategies?
Yes. There were differences across demographics, particularly income levels. Higher-income groups were more likely to use creative approaches, explore new places, and use temporal adjustments compared to lower-income groups, suggesting that financial resources and flexibility may impact a person's capacity to adapt. Younger people were more likely to use creative approaches and explore new places, while older adults tended to explore less and were less creative potentially due to limitations related to age. No significant differences were observed between different groups by sex or race.
Why were some adaptive strategies, like exploring new places, less effective at increasing overall engagement in outdoor recreation?
While exploring new places was used as a response to challenges, it may not have directly increased the frequency of outdoor recreation. It is possible that this strategy was more about seeking novelty or adventure, or served as a way to get past specific barriers like crowding at an existing recreation site, rather than consistently increasing the overall quantity of time spent outdoors. Also, this strategy may require additional effort that can be a barrier. This suggests these different strategies may have different purposes, not just to increase engagement.
What do these findings suggest about the role of individual behavioral adaptation versus structural factors in promoting outdoor recreation?
The study found that individual behavioral adaptation, such as increasing effort and using temporal adjustment, played a more prominent role in outdoor recreation engagement than structural factors like nearby green space access and quality. This highlights the importance of programs that focus on individual motivation, skills, and strategies for adapting to limitations and disruptions. It is important to understand the "why" and "how" behind successful individual-level adaptation during crises.
How can these findings be applied to manage outdoor recreation during future crises or stressful events?
The study suggests that during future crises, recreation managers should prioritize facilitating individual adaptation. This could include educating the public about strategies like temporal adjustment and investing in programs that address barriers to participation and encourage creative ways of adapting outdoor recreation behaviors. Providing information on less crowded times at recreation areas, or diversifying program options over different times or days are examples. Additionally, there should be targeted efforts to address the inequalities that might limit adaptive capacity in some populations, particularly lower-income groups.
What are some limitations of the study and what future research is suggested?
The study had several limitations and suggestions for future research:
- Relied on self-reported measures, which are subject to bias. Future research should incorporate objective measures and possibly large-scale tracking data.
- Cross-sectional design couldn't establish causality - longitudinal studies or qualitative data are recommended.
- Did not explore important concepts like activity and resource substitution, or potential seasonality effects.
- Further research needed to clarify the relationship between adaptation strategies and outdoor engagement, particularly regarding motivations behind creative approaches and exploration.
- The model should be tested during different kinds of crises to determine if the findings are generalizable.