PORTFOLIO WAFIY

PORTFOLIO NAME :NURUL WAFIY MUNIFAH BINTI SHAMSUL HAZLAN MATRIC NO:PBA22031 SEMESTER:3 2022/2023 TITLE: THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TABLE CONTENT 1. Online Article i) The Benefits of Outdoor Play;Why It Matters ii) Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society. A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence iii) 12 benefits of outdoor play (and tips for helping kids reap these benefits) 2. Online Journal Article i) Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society. A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence ii) Psychological benefits of outdoor physical activity in natural versus urban environments: A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies iii) Experiences in outdoor recreation among individuals with developmental disabilities: Benefits, constraints, and facilitators 3. Online Newspaper i) Wild women: the rise of all-female outdoor activity groups ii) Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces 2023 Analyst + Investor Event iii) Large-Scale Study Reveals The True Health Benefits of Getting Outdoors More

4. Online Magazine i) The Mental and Physical Benefits of Getting Outdoors ii) Enjoy All The Health Benefits Of Outdoor Recreational Activities iii)Enjoy All The Health Benefits Of Outdoor Recreational Activities 5. Book i) Leisure Activities in the Outdoors Learning ,Developing and Challeging ii) Outdoor Recreation Physiological and Psychological Effects on Health iii) Outdoor Play for Healthy Little Minds Practical Ideas to Promote Children’s wellbeing in the Early Years

ONLINE ARTICLE

i) The Benefits of Outdoor Play;Why It Matters https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/benefits-outdoor-play-why-it-matters Published on Jul 28, 2020 in Health Tip of the Week Outdoor play is beneficial for children beyond the physical activity it provides. It helps them socialize, understand their bodies better, engage in imaginative play and enjoy the outdoors. In today's busy and complex world, it can be difficult to schedule outdoor time with your child. But, it is something you should prioritize for your child's healthy growth and development. School-aged children need about three hours of outdoor play each day. While this is a lot to add to a daily schedule, the activity will contribute to the physical and emotional health of your child. Katie K. Lockwood, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Primary Care office in South Philadelphia, shares some tips about how families can get active together. Why outdoor play is important ; Easy ways to find outdoor space Unstructured physical activity improves the health of your child. It reduces the likelihood of obesity and weight-related health concerns which are becoming bigger issues for families today. Outdoor play also improves mental health as a result of physical activity. A break from devices Screens and the amount of time your child spends engaging with a device is a key reason why outdoor time should be a scheduled activity. “Scheduling time to actively play outdoors sets a natural limit on the amount of time your child can spend with a device (such as TV, smartphone or video game),” says Dr. Lockwood.

“It promotes active engagement with their peers and the natural environment, and helps them develop respect for the world and consideration for others around them.” Replacing some recreational screen time with outdoor play also helps reduce the risks of a sedentary lifestyle. Improvements to sleep, mood and social skills Unstructured physical activity during the day also helps children sleep better at night. It can increase concentration and improve mood the next day. Perhaps the greatest health benefit is in a child’s ability to learn how to engage with others while having fun. “Outdoor play helps children grow socially, helping them to develop healthy ways of forming friendships, responding to physical interaction, and using their imaginations to entertain each other,” says Dr. Lockwood. “It helps them solve problems, build relationships within their peer group and gain a respect for nature.” Knowing why outside play is important to your child's development is the first step to prioritizing outdoor activities in your child’s schedule. Knowing where to go is another step in the right direction. To find ideas for places you might go and activities you may want to try with your family, visit your local parks and recreation website or the visitors bureaus of towns and cities near where you live. Look for things like public parks and trails, zoos, orchards, gardens and wildlife refuges. Playing close to home If you can’t go far or travel isn’t an option, there are still many ways to get outside close to home. Consider the following activities: • Have a scavenger hunt. You can look for specific objects or be a bit more general like: things that begin with the letter B, or something for each color of the rainbow • Do leaf rubbings. All you need are paper, crayons and any new leaves you can find. • Dig in the dirt. Find worms and bugs, make mud pies, and flip over rocks to see what you'll find • Plant something. Get some flower or vegetable seeds and start your own garden.

• Make an obstacle course. Time each kid as they jump, roll, climb, step or go under the various obstacles. Added bonus: You can do this inside if needed. • Get active. Play a game like twister or hopscotch, Simon Says, Mother-may-I or the freeze dance. Take turns picking and leading the games and get involved. Kids love when you play too! • Learn something new. Try yoga or fishing. Dance alone in your room or out in the front yard. Build something with sticks, Lincoln logs or Legos. Share your creations or the new skills you learned with friends and relatives. Use social media if you can't get together in person. • Do the alphabet workout. Create an “exercise alphabet” by assigning an exercise to each letter of the alphabet. Then spell out your name, performing the exercise designated for each letter. Be sure to take a 15-20 second rest between each exercise. Pro Tip: YouTube has lots of helpful videos.

ii) Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society; A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6466442/ Published online 2019 Mar 15. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16060937 PMCID: PMC6466442 PMID: 30875938 Abstract The combination of physical activity and being in nature is recognized as providing a range of significant benefits. The objective of this literature review was to compile an overview of the social benefits and costs associated with outdoor sports within the academic literature and to reflect on the quality of underlying evidence that supports the relationship. A systematic review was carried out with seven partners from different European countries, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. From a total of 17,560 studies identified, 133 studies were selected with relevant data extracted to standardized forms. The selected studies have been analyzed with qualitative research methods. A meta-analysis could not be conducted due to the heterogeneity of the study designs and outcome measures. As a result, the review gives an overview of the social impacts associated with outdoor sports which have been clustered to six broad categories: physical health, mental health and wellbeing, education and lifelong learning, active citizenship, crime reduction, and anti-social behavior, as well as additional benefits. The review furthermore revealed gaps in the evidence base which are especially notable in the long-term effects that outdoor sports can have on personal and social development. Keywords: outdoor sports, outdoor recreation, health enhancing physical activity, social benefits and costs or social impacts, outdoor education 1. Introduction There is widespread knowledge and a body of evidence-based research on the importance of physical activity especially for physical and mental health and wellbeing [1]. Furthermore, there is growing evidence on the benefits for people of being in nature or having contact with the natural environment [2]. Consequentially, physical activity that is carried out in

nature is discussed for bringing together those positive impacts and even having synergistic effects. In this context, experts from different fields have highlighted the benefits of outdoor sports that often go beyond being active in a non-natural environment [3] (The term sport is used interchangeably with physical activity and based upon the inclusive, broad definition of the Council of Europe (1992) that describes sport as “all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels” [4]). Beyond the health enhancing effects of physical activity and nature, outdoor sports are also associated with social benefits including the intra- and interpersonal development for young people, crime reduction, and active citizenship as they provide unique opportunities within the natural and social environments. They connect individuals with nature, with other people and with themselves [5] and so achieve a range of positive effects simultaneously. In the context of urbanization, insufficient activity levels, sedentary behavior, and an increasing disengagement between people and the natural environment, it raises the question if and how outdoor sports can be part of the solution. However, there is a gap in the evidence base to better understand the benefits of outdoor sports as a whole and therefore support investment in health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) in the natural environment. This systematic literature review raises two questions: what kind of social benefits are associated with outdoor sports within the academic literature and what quality of underlying evidence exists that supports the association. 2. Methods To identify the social impacts of outdoor sports a systematic literature review was carried out with seven partners from different European countries involved, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Previous literature has analyzed the social impacts of sport in general like Coalters review on the social benefits of sport [6] or the Culture and Sport Evidence programme which identified outcomes related to health, subjective wellbeing, crime, education, and social capital [7]. Other reviews also dealt with the benefits of outdoor adventure activities [5] or highlighted the specialties of physical activity in a natural environment [3] and therefore served as a kind of core text.

From previous research a list of outcomes relating to outdoor sport were identified. Those impacts included but were not restricted to the following: (1) Physical and mental health and well-being; (2) Education and life-long learning; (3) Active Citizenship including social inclusion, integration, volunteering and community cohesion; (4) Reduction of crime and anti-social behavior. 2.1. Literature Identification A systematic literature review was carried out using the following databases: SportDiscus, ERIC, benefitshub, PubMed, SURF, Cobiss, Natursportinfo, B-On, Dialnet, Share, Data bases of INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), ENVSN (Centre de documentation de l’Ecole Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques), ENSA (École Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme), PRNSN (Pôle Ressources National des Sports de Nature), Catalogue SUDOC and the catalogue of National Sports Academy Sofia. The search was based on title and abstract and used a special keyword combination set as the search formula. The timeframe was limited to 15 years from March 2002 until March 2017. If possible, filters were set for academic journal articles only. The search string formula (see Table 1) consisted of three parts: (1) an element of nature or outdoor combined with (2) forms of active, physical exercise and (3) the description of effects. Those effects were described as a keyword combination of benefits, impacts, or costs in general and the anticipated benefits that were identified through former literature reviews. To avoid a possible bias the search string consisted not only of terms like “benefit” but also included neutral words like “impact” or “effect” or negative phrases like “costs”.

iii) 12 benefits of outdoor play ( and tips for helping kids reap these benefits ) https://parentingscience.com/benefits-of-outdoor-play/ © 2019 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved What are the benefits of outdoor play for a child’s development? Research tells us there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on what kids actually do when they’re outside. It also depends on where kids play. But overall, children can reap many benefits when they play outdoors, including • a reduced risk of myopia, or nearsightedness; • greater exposure to bright light, which enhances health and mental performance; • increased activity levels, and greater freedom to run, jump, and climb; • opportunities for hands-on learning about physical forces and concepts; • reduced stress levels, better moods, and improved concentration; • more naturally-attuned sleep rhythms; and • enhanced opportunities to learn social skills, overcome fears, and develop a lifelong connection with nature. In addition, it’s possible that outdoor play could help reduce the incidence of behavior problems. It may help fight obesity, too. Here is a more detailed look at the benefits of playing outside — and the conditions that make time spent outdoors especially rewarding. 12 benefits of outdoor play Benefit #1: Outdoor play can reduce a child’s risk becoming nearsighted. Heredity plays a big role in whether or not a child develops myopia, or nearsightedness. But it’s also clear that time spent outdoors is protective. Scores of studies show links between outdoor time and the development of myopia. Kids who spend more time outside are less likely to become nearsighted (Goldschmidt and Jacobsen 2014, Rose et al 2016). And experiments confirm that we can prevent or delay nearsightedness by “prescribing” more outdoor play. For example, in one randomized study, 6-year-olds assigned to get an extra 40 minutes of outdoor time each day were less likely to develop myopia over the following three years (He et al 2015). Why does it help to go outside? Researchers aren’t yet sure. One possibility is that it provides the eyes with a break from “close work,” like reading. Lots of close work increases a child’s chances of becoming nearsighted. Another possibility is the eyes benefit from

exposure to bright daylight. But either way, it looks like outdoor play is a good prescription for reducing the risk of myopia. Benefit #2: Outdoor play helps ensure that kids get enough sunlight — and that’s good for their bodies and brains. Sunlight — even the light we encounter outside on a heavily overcast day — far exceeds the lighting we typically encounter indoors. So going outside makes a big difference in the amount of light exposure we encounter. That’s important, because lots of things go wrong when children don’t get enough sunlight. The brain tunes its “inner clock” using light cues, so going outdoors can help children maintain healthy sleep rhythms (see benefit #9 below). In addition, exposure to sunlight helps ensure that kids get enough vitamin D, affecting numerous health issues, including bone growth, muscle function, and even the timing of puberty. And here’s another reason to care about your child’s exposure to sunlight: Bright light helps kids concentrate, and may actually enhance the formation of synapses in the brain. In fact, recent research has persuaded me that we shouldn’t be complacent about lighting. Until proven otherwise, we should assume that long hours in dim lighting conditions could impair a child’s potential to learn. Read more about this fascinating research in my article about the effects of sunlight on children. Benefit #3: Kids get more vigorous exercise when they’re outdoors. (But the effect varies. Some kids need encouragement to get moving!) It seems like common sense, and it’s been verified: Kids tend to get more exercise when they play outside. But the size of the effect varies. For example, consider a study of 46 preschoolers in daycare. Researchers fitted each child with an accelerometer and a GPS device, and then tracked the chidren’s movements over the course of the day. When researchers analyzed the results, they found that outdoor play had a major impact on physical activity levels. Kids were twice as active when they were playing outside, and every additional 10 minutes spent outdoors resulted in almost 3 extra minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (Tandon et al 2018). Another, larger study reported a similary substantial effect among 5- and 6-year-olds: For every additional hour of outdoor play, kids spent about 10 minutes more time in moderateto-vigorous physical activity (Larouche et al 2017).

But outdoor time doesn’t always have a big impact. In a study of more than 6200 school kids (ages 9-11), each additional hour of outdoor time added only 1.5 to 3.0 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to a child’s day (Larouche et al 2018). The takeaway? Outdoor play can boost activity levels, which is obviously a good thing. Kids need cardiovascular exercise for good health. There’s also evidence that exercise benefits a child’s cognitive performance. But when we count exercise as one of the benefits of outdoor play, we should keep in mind the limitations. Some kids need additional encouragement to be physically active. Merely going outdoors isn’t enough! What can we do? One promising approach is to help kids find peers to play with outdoors. Research suggests that kids get more exercise outside when they are with friends or siblings (Pearce et al 2014). Another approach is to increase children’s access to safe, outdoor play spaces. Researchers report that urban kids have become more active when their neighborhoods closed off portions of streets for outdoor play (d’Haese et al 2015). And structure can help. In one study, adolescents obtained the most exercise during structured, outdoor activities, such as team sports (Pearse et al 2018). Benefit #4: Outdoor play provides kids with greater freedom to develop their athletic abilities – to run fast, jump far, and climb. Outdoor play doesn’t guarantee that a child will become more physically coordinated. For example, in a study of preschoolers, researchers found that kids’ basic motor skills (like throwing, somersaulting, and kicking a ball) didn’t vary much as a function of how often a child played outdoors (Gray et al 2015). But when children play outside, they usually have more freedom to move around. They can do things that aren’t typically possible indoors – run at top speed, climb tall structures, swing from their arms. So it makes sense to think that playing outside could help kids develop specific athletic abilities and skills, and there were hints of this in the preschooler study. The kids who played outside more often were faster on their feet. Compared with their more “indoor” peers, they completed a ten meter race in a shorter time. Benefit #5: Outdoor play offers young children special opportunities learn new words and concepts. Studies suggest hands-on exploration helps young children learn new words — especially words for things that kids can experience physically — like movements, textures, touchable objects, and physical processes (de Nooijer et al 2013; Inkster et al 2016; Suggate and Stoeger 2016).

It’s much easier to learn what squish means if you get to feel mud squishing through your fingers. You’re more likely to understand the concept of melting if you conduct your own experiments with ice cubes in the sun! So going outdoors is an opportunity for kids to widen their sensory experiences, and gain an intuitive, “embodied” understanding of how things work. Looking for ideas to spark exploratory outdoor play? See these outdoor learning activities, including • preschool experiments with ice and water, • early childhood investigations of dirt and mud, • tracking animals in nature. Benefit #6: When kids play in green spaces, they reap special psychological benefits, including better recovery from stress, and enhanced concentration. Not all time spent outdoors is equal. Nature experiences have a special, restorative effect. For instance, experimental studies suggest that nature walks trigger short-term improvements in mood and stress recovery. And there is evidence showing that kids become more attentive and focused after playing in natural settings. In one study, researchers tested children’s attention and working memory performance, and then sent them outside to play in one of two places – (1) a green space with trees, or (2) a paved school yard. After the kids returned, they were tested again, and the results depended on where they had played: Playing in the green space resulted in improvements in attention and working memory performance. Playing on the school yard had no measurable effect (Amicone et al 2018). Read more about the restorative benefits of nature here. Benefit #7: Connecting with nature may also lower a child’s risk of behavior problems. As I’ll explain in another Parenting Science article, there’s good evidence that people who feel a strong connection with nature are happier and better-adjusted. For example, in a recent study of preschoolers, researchers found that nature-connected kids were better-behaved. They were less likely to suffer from emotional difficulties, and more likely to show kindness toward others (Sobko et al 2018). In addition, observational studies suggest that lifelong exposure to green space may reduce a child’s risk of developing certain behavior problems, like hyperactivity and attention deficits (Vanaken and Danckaerts 2018).

So instead of just sending kids outside, we should also nurture their interest in the natural world. This includes teaching kids about local wildlife, and enlisting them to help preserve wildlife habits. Read my tips for helping kids feel connected with nature. Benefit #8: Cooperative outdoor play can help children learn social skills In a study of 575 Australian children between the ages of 2 and 5, researchers found a substantial link between outdoor play and social savvy. The kids who spent the most time outdoors were, on average, more cooperative. They were also more socially expressive – better able to to verbalize their desires, and enter into play with others. By contrast, time spent playing video games was unrelated to social skills (Hinkley et al 2018). This doesn’t prove the outdoor play caused children to become more cooperative and socially expressive. Maybe the sort of parents who insist on outdoor play are also more likely to teach their kids the social niceties! But given what we know about the benefits of outdoor play in green spaces, it’s easy to see how nature experiences could indirectly contribute to the development of social skills. Kids who spend lots of time playing in green spaces might feel less stressed, more focused, and more cheerful. And that would make it easier for them to maintain friendly relationships and hone their communication skills. It’s also clear that young children can learn valuable social lessons when they play with others, especially if they play with older individuals who model desirable behavior, like turn-taking and compromise. So if kids play outside with other children, they’ll have more opportunities to learn social skills. My hunch? Sending children outside won’t, by itself, transform them into better citizens. But nature experiences — and cooperative, outdoor play — are probably quite helpful. For more information about fostering social skills, see these tips about preschoolers, as well as these social skills games and activities for kids of all ages. Benefit #9: Positive nature experiences teach children to respect — and protect — the environment. People who report positive experiences with nature are more likely to behave in ways that protect the environment, and we can see the effect in children as well as adults: Kids who spend more time in nature express more appreciation for wildlife, and more support for conservation (Soga et al 2016; Zhang et al 2014; DeVille et al 2021). Moreover, childhood experiences predict adult behavior. In a study tracking children from the age of 6, researchers found that childhood time spent outdoors was positively linked with environmentally responsible behavior during young adulthood (Evans et al 2018). Benefit #10: Wrestling with sleep troubles? Outdoor play doesn’t make kids sleep longer at night. But it may help children fall asleep more easily.

You might have heard that outdoor play increases the time that kids spend sleeping at night. Is it really true? Studies suggest otherwise. For example, two studies of young children found no relationship between the amount of outdoor playtime and total duration of nighttime sleep (Parsons et al 2018; Xu et al 2015). Likewise, a study of older children failed to find any correlation between time spent outside and sleep duration. Yes, kids spent slightly more time in bed. For every additional hour spent outside each day, children stayed an additional 4 minutes in bed. But these kids weren’t logging more time asleep. They were just lying down longer (Lin et al 2018). So we shouldn’t expect our kids to snooze longer merely because they spend more time outdoors. But outdoor play can affect another important aspect of sleep: how long it takes for kids to start feeling drowsy at night. Outdoor play may help children fall asleep earlier in the evening. The reason? As we’ve noted, outdoor play exposes children to sunlight, and sunlight is a powerful cue for programming the brain’s “inner clock.” When we get more sunlight, our brains become better synchronized with the natural rhythms of day and night. And when night rolls around, the brain shifts gears more readily. It begins producing the “drowsy making” hormone, melatonin, earlier in the evening (Gabel et al 2013; van Maanen et al 2017). So if you’ve got a kid who stays up too late at night, one remedy is to increase sunlight exposure during the day. But be aware: You’ll also need to minimize your child’s exposure to artificial lighting at night. Such nighttime exposure — including exposure to light-emitting electronic screens — can suppress or delay the release of melatonin. And as I explain in another article, kids are especially sensitive to its effects. Your best bet? Encourage outdoor play, and also practice good sleep hygiene: Limit your child’s exposure to artificial lighting at night, especially in the hour leading up to bedtime (Akacem et al 2018). Benefit #11: Outdoor play may encourage kids to take calculated risks – and become more confident in their abilities. This is one of those intriguing ideas that makes sense, but is awaiting rigorous, scientific testing. The notion is that kids today are rarely permitted to engage in activities that could put them at risk of injury, and that’s bad: If you never test your physical abilities – by, say, climbing a tree – how will learn? In Norway, many preschoolers attend outdoor, nature schools, where adults permit kids to climb and leap and take chances. When children master these challenges, they feel exhilarated, and some researchers think the experiences could function as a kind of antiphobia behavioral therapy. Children learn that they can cope with frightening situations (Sandseter and Kennair 2011).

This doesn’t mean that adults should abandon all efforts to enforce safety rules. But researchers suggest we shift our mindset from making children’s lives “as safe as possible” to “as safe as necessary.” They say we should offer kids with outdoor venues that feature structures to climb, graded to their developmental abilities. Offer kids construction materials, and access to dirt, sand, and water. Give children opportunities to help out in the garden, and care for animals (Brussoni et al 2012). And studies indicate that kids relish these opportunities. For example, kids prefer playgrounds with more challenging climbing structures (Brussoni et al 2011). Benefit #12: By itself, outdoor time probably doesn’t prevent obesity — but it’s a good first step toward a more active, healthful lifestyle! Recently, researchers tracked changes in BMI (body mass index) for more than 2800 children (3- and 4-year-olds) attending 125 different Head Start centers across the United States. In some centers, teachers gave children more time to play outdoors. Did it make a difference to the children’s BMIs? Yes. For example, researchers considered children who were already obese at the beginning of the study. How did the kids experiencing the highest levels of outdoor time each day (60 minutes or more) fare against those who’d experienced the lowest levels of outdoor time (20 minutes or less)? The kids who spent more time outdoors lost the most weight, with the difference between groups averaging about 0.34 BMI points. And when researchers reviewed the trajectories of all children, including those who began the study with normal BMIs, they again found a clear link between obesity risk and time spent playing outside: For every additional minute of outdoor play, a child was 1% less likely to become obese. That’s nothing to sneeze about. But before we start thinking of outdoor play as a cure-all for obesity, keep in mind: Studies of older kids fail to support the idea. Why? It isn’t that outdoor time and obesity aren’t connected. But the link tends to disappear when researchers control for other factors, like diet, screen time, inadequate sleep, and physical inactivity levels (Ren et al 2017; Larouche et al 2016; Grigsby-Toussaint 2011).

ONLINE JOURNAL ARTICLE

i) Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Society; A Systematic Literature Review and Reflections on Evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6466442/ Published online 2019 Mar 15. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16060937 PMCID: PMC6466442 PMID: 30875938 Abstract The combination of physical activity and being in nature is recognized as providing a range of significant benefits. The objective of this literature review was to compile an overview of the social benefits and costs associated with outdoor sports within the academic literature and to reflect on the quality of underlying evidence that supports the relationship. A systematic review was carried out with seven partners from different European countries, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. From a total of 17,560 studies identified, 133 studies were selected with relevant data extracted to standardized forms. The selected studies have been analyzed with qualitative research methods. A meta-analysis could not be conducted due to the heterogeneity of the study designs and outcome measures. As a result, the review gives an overview of the social impacts associated with outdoor sports which have been clustered to six broad categories: physical health, mental health and wellbeing, education and lifelong learning, active citizenship, crime reduction, and anti-social behavior, as well as additional benefits. The review furthermore revealed gaps in the evidence base which are especially notable in the long-term effects that outdoor sports can have on personal and social development. Keywords: outdoor sports, outdoor recreation, health enhancing physical activity, social benefits and costs or social impacts, outdoor education 1. Introduction There is widespread knowledge and a body of evidence-based research on the importance of physical activity especially for physical and mental health and wellbeing [1]. Furthermore, there is growing evidence on the benefits for people of being in nature or having contact

with the natural environment [2]. Consequentially, physical activity that is carried out in nature is discussed for bringing together those positive impacts and even having synergistic effects. In this context, experts from different fields have highlighted the benefits of outdoor sports that often go beyond being active in a non-natural environment [3] (The term sport is used interchangeably with physical activity and based upon the inclusive, broad definition of the Council of Europe (1992) that describes sport as “all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels” [4]). Beyond the health enhancing effects of physical activity and nature, outdoor sports are also associated with social benefits including the intra- and interpersonal development for young people, crime reduction, and active citizenship as they provide unique opportunities within the natural and social environments. They connect individuals with nature, with other people and with themselves [5] and so achieve a range of positive effects simultaneously. In the context of urbanization, insufficient activity levels, sedentary behavior, and an increasing disengagement between people and the natural environment, it raises the question if and how outdoor sports can be part of the solution. However, there is a gap in the evidence base to better understand the benefits of outdoor sports as a whole and therefore support investment in health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) in the natural environment. This systematic literature review raises two questions: what kind of social benefits are associated with outdoor sports within the academic literature and what quality of underlying evidence exists that supports the association. 2. Methods To identify the social impacts of outdoor sports a systematic literature review was carried out with seven partners from different European countries involved, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Previous literature has analyzed the social impacts of sport in general like Coalters review on the social benefits of sport [6] or the Culture and Sport Evidence programme which identified outcomes related to health, subjective wellbeing, crime, education, and social capital [7]. Other reviews also dealt with the benefits of outdoor adventure activities [5] or highlighted the specialties of physical activity in a natural environment [3] and therefore served as a kind of core text.

From previous research a list of outcomes relating to outdoor sport were identified. Those impacts included but were not restricted to the following: (1) Physical and mental health and well-being; (2) Education and life-long learning; (3) Active Citizenship including social inclusion, integration, volunteering and community cohesion; (4) Reduction of crime and anti-social behavior. 2.1. Literature Identification A systematic literature review was carried out using the following databases: SportDiscus, ERIC, benefitshub, PubMed, SURF, Cobiss, Natursportinfo, B-On, Dialnet, Share, Data bases of INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), ENVSN (Centre de documentation de l’Ecole Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques), ENSA (École Nationale de Ski et d’Alpinisme), PRNSN (Pôle Ressources National des Sports de Nature), Catalogue SUDOC and the catalogue of National Sports Academy Sofia. The search was based on title and abstract and used a special keyword combination set as the search formula. The timeframe was limited to 15 years from March 2002 until March 2017. If possible, filters were set for academic journal articles only. The search string formula (see Table 1) consisted of three parts: (1) an element of nature or outdoor combined with (2) forms of active, physical exercise and (3) the description of effects. Those effects were described as a keyword combination of benefits, impacts, or costs in general and the anticipated benefits that were identified through former literature reviews. To avoid a possible bias the search string consisted not only of terms like “benefit” but also included neutral words like “impact” or “effect” or negative phrases like “costs”.

ii)Psychological benefits of outdoor pyhsical activity in natural versus urban enviroments; A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aphw.12353 Abstract The impact of environmental context on the psychological benefits derived from physical activity has attracted research attention in recent years. Previous reviews have compared effects of indoor versus outdoor exercise. This review compares the effects of physical activity undertaken in outdoor green natural environments versus outdoor urban environments on psychological health outcomes in adult general populations. An electronic literature search identified 24 experimental studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Results were analysed via narrative synthesis (n = 24) and meta-analysis (n = 9) of effect on six outcomes. Narrative synthesis found in favour of the natural environment for anxiety, anger/hostility, energy, affect and positive engagement. Post-intervention effect sizes suggested duration and social context as potential moderators. The meta-analyses revealed large or moderate effects in favour of the natural environment for anxiety, fatigue, positive affect and vigour, and a small effect for depression. Results were subject to high risk of bias and heterogeneity. Physical activity undertaken outdoors in natural environments is more beneficial for a range of psychological outcomes compared with urban environments. The various effect sizes evident in the meta-analyses may be explained by differing mechanisms through which psychological gains are experienced during physical activity in nature. INTRODUCTION In the past week, an estimated one in six people will have experienced a common mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety (McManus et al., 2016). Mental ill health is one of the most common causes of ill health and disability globally, affecting people of all ethnicities, ages and genders (GBD 2016 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, 2018). The burden of mental ill health is experienced by both the individual and wider society. Based on figures from 2010, the cost of mental ill health to the global economy was estimated to reach US$16 trillion by 2030 (Patel et al., 2018). Although various therapies and treatments are available, there is a disparity between the prevalence of mental ill health and funding for treatment. In 2012, 23% of all disease in the United Kingdom was attributed to mental ill health, yet it received only 13% of NHS health expenditure (The Centre for Economic Performance and Mental Health Policy Group, 2012). Vigo et al. (2019) report a disproportionate allocation of government funds for mental health in American countries, with the disease burden of mental ill health six times the proportion of funding. Estimates suggest that globally 70% of people suffering from mental ill health do not receive care from a healthcare professional (Henderson et al., 2013). In addition to inadequate funding, barriers including stigma (Van Voorhees et al., 2005), lack of perceived need for

treatment (Mojtabai et al., 2011) and low outcome expectations of treatment (Bayer & Peay, 1997) are believed to prevent individuals from seeking treatment. Self-management interventions that are readily available without diagnosis by a healthcare professional may provide individuals with tools that help maintain wellbeing and function and prevent exacerbation of symptoms. The present paper focuses on the role of physical activity in management of psychological wellbeing of the general population including those living with untreated symptoms of mental ill health (McManus et al., 2016). Accumulated evidence suggests that physical activity may be as effective as psychological and pharmacological treatments for depression and anxiety (Cooney et al., 2013; Stubbs et al., 2017). Organisations including the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence and World Health Organisation advocate physical activity as a strategy to help tackle mental ill health (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020; World Health Organisation, 2019), and recent years have seen the promulgation of so-called ‘social prescribing’ in which people may be referred or self-refer to non-medical interventions including participation in physical activity. Physical activity contexts and psychological outcomes The influence of the environmental setting in which physical activity takes place on psychological health outcomes has also received considerable research interest in recent years. Specifically, research has investigated whether physical activity while simultaneously exposed to elements of the natural environment, sometimes termed ‘green exercise’ (Pretty et al., 2005), might be more beneficial to psychological outcomes than physical activity in other types of manmade or synthetic environments such as indoor gyms. Theories such as Psycho-evolutionary Theory (Ulrich et al., 1991) and Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989) propose potential mechanisms through which exposure to the natural environment can enhance health and wellbeing. Psycho-evolutionary theory proposes that humans innately prefer natural environments that offer safety and resources required for survival. Being in such environments is associated with increased positive and reduced negative affective states. Attention Restoration Theory describes nature's ability to offer restoration of mental fatigue caused through depletion of directed attention. Humans use directed attention to focus on cognitively demanding tasks or situations and to maintain attention must constantly inhibit more interesting stimuli, resulting in mental fatigue. Spending time in the natural environment requires effortless or involuntary attention providing opportunity for the replenishment of fatigued directed attention. Three previous reviews have considered the effect of environmental context on the psychological benefits of physical activity in adult populations. Two of these (Lahart et al., 2019; Thompson Coon et al., 2011) compared physical activity in natural versus indoor environments. Thompson Coon and colleagues reported greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression, and increased energy following physical activity in nature compared with indoor physical activity. Lahart et al. (2019) found that physical activity in nature (both actual and virtual) enhanced psychological outcomes for affective valence and enjoyment compared with indoor activity. However, the authors report equivocal findings for the effects on energy, calmness, tension, anger and depression. A third review (Bowler et al., 2010) compared

exercise in natural vs ‘synthetic’ environments, with synthetic environments defined as indoor and ‘non-green outdoor built environments’. The authors found in favour of the natural environment for anger, fatigue, tranquillity and sadness, with a marginally positive effect on energy. Outdoor environments as a location for physical exercise confer many obvious benefits for self-management of mental health and social prescribing. The outdoor environment can be accessed free of charge, unlike gym membership, and is available locally to all. However, because previous reviews have focused upon evidencing the benefits of outdoor versus indoor physical activity, it remains unknown whether features of the outdoor environment, namely whether it can be described as ‘green’ or ‘urban’ might impact upon the benefits of outdoor physical activity. In short, is it better to go for a walk in a town or in the countryside to improve your mental wellbeing? The aim of the present review is to address this question. Impact of gender on the effect of environmental context on outcomes A secondary aim of the review was to investigate the possible moderating role of gender. Previous research has suggested that gender may influence the relationship between the environmental context of physical activity and psychological outcomes. Hassmen (1996) found that during outdoor running, women reported lower perceived exertion than expected based on their actual heart rate, whereas in men, perceived exertion was higher than expected. Barton and Pretty (2010) found that men experienced slightly larger improvements in mood following green exercise than women. Further, behaviour and attitudes towards natural environments has been found to differ between genders. Puett et al. (2014) found that men more likely to engage in physical activity outdoors, whereas Zelezny et al. (2000) report that women are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviours and may have greater sense of being connected to the natural environment (Hughes et al., 2019). As connection with nature is a possible pathway between nature and health (Cervinka et al., 2012), this finding might indicate that women may experience greater psychological benefits from green exercise than men. Aims of the present study This review extends previous research by addressing a clear gap in the literature. No previous review has compared the psychological health outcomes obtained from participating in physical activity in a natural versus an urban outdoor environment. However, the body of research addressing this topic has grown in recent years, making a synthesis of findings important and timely. As a free and readily available self-management strategy, outdoor activity may be beneficial to the large population of people with common mental disorders who are not receiving treatment or support. Moreover, given an increased awareness of the potential negative consequences on psychological health of urban living (Gruebner et al., 2017), an understanding of the impact of environmental setting during physical activity might inform wellbeing and health policies and urban planning. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of research comparing the effects of urban and natural outdoor exercise contexts. It was hypothesized based on the foregoing reviews that physical activity in nature will result in more favourable results for all

psychological outcomes. We also sought to address gender as a moderator of the relationship of exercise context to outcomes. Based on previous research it was hypothesized that gender would moderate the relationship between physical activity in nature and enhanced psychological outcomes. METHOD Study registration The study protocol was registered at Prospero Journal in December 2019, Ref: CRD42019158162 (Wicks et al., 2019) and was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Moher et al., 2009). The PRISMA flowchart is shown in Figure 1. FIGURE 1 Open in figure viewerPowerPoint PRISMA flowchart of study identification and inclusion Search strategy and inclusion criteria An electronic literature search was conducted using the following databases (from inception of the database to September 2019): Sport Discus, PsychInfo, PsychArticles, Greenfile, Medline (all via Ebsco host) and Web of Science. The title and abstract search included one of the following context keywords (Outdoor*,outside, forest, woodland, park*, ‘green space’, greenspace, ‘open space’, ‘green gym’, natur*, mountain*, garden*, allotment, wood*, horticulture*, wilderness, countryside, urban*, cit*, town*, borough*, built, built-up ‘built up’, street*, suburban, metropolitan, industrial, developed, commercial, residential)

together with one of the following physical activity keywords (AND ‘physical activity’, exerci*, fit*, sport*, hik*, walk*, jog*, run*, cycl*, climbing, kayak*, fishin, swimming, football, socce, surfing, volleyball, netball, hockey, rugby, recreation, conservation) and the following psychological outcomes (AND ‘mental health’, mood, well-being, wellbeing, ‘well being’, self-esteem, depress*, anxiety, stress, affect, emotion*, ‘quality of life’, psychological). The searches were also limited to adults (AND Men OR women OR male* OR female* or adult* NOT Child* OR adolescent OR youth). Eligibility screening and data extraction Quantitative studies comparing physical activity outcomes in a natural and an urban environment were identified. Randomised controlled and non-randomised studies, controlled pre and post studies, and cross-over studies were eligible for inclusion. Studies were limited to those published in peer-reviewed academic journals, in English language and where participants were adults (aged 18+ years) and from non-clinical populations. Studies including participants with a known psychological, physical, or clinical diagnosis were excluded to avoid potential bias due to concomitant interventions or treatments, so as to ensure that outcomes can be attributed to green exercise. Eligible studies reported on psychological outcomes, broadly defined to include well-being, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, mood and stress. The protocol is available at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019158162. Potentially eligible studies were extracted into an Excel database. Papers were screened at abstract and full-text level against the pre-determined eligibility criteria. Any uncertainty around inclusion was discussed and resolved between C. W. and L. A. After screening, relevant data from each included article were extracted. Extracted data included participant characteristics, sample size, psychological outcomes reported, components of physical activity (type, duration, frequency and intensity), social context and descriptions of the natural and urban environments. Assessment of risk of bias Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed for randomised controlled trials and randomised trials using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (Sterne et al., 2019). Cross-over studies were assessed for RoB using the tool adapted by Ding et al. (2015) which includes additional items specifically for crossover design studies (e.g. assessment of carry-over effects between conditions). All studies were rated independently by CW and by JB. Interrater reliability was assessed via mean agreement (82%) and Cohen's kappa (κ = .71). Discrepancies were resolved through discussion between C. W. and J. B. Narrative and meta-analytic data synthesis A narrative synthesis was undertaken following the protocol outlined by Popay et al. (2006). This involved identifying existing theories or models of green exercise and health that are supported by the findings, preliminary synthesis of findings, exploring relationships in the data and assessing the robustness of the synthesis. The synthesis of findings compares outcomes across studies, whereas effect sizes are employed as a common rubric to explore and interpret patterns in outcomes.

Meta-analysis was conducted where at least two studies reported the same outcome and appropriate data for meta-analysis was provided in the published paper or through contact with the authors. In total, nine of the 24 studies were included in the meta-analyses. For crossover studies, the protocol for meta-analysis outlined by Elbourne et al. (2002) was followed, which recommends using paired within participant data. Mean difference was used for meta-analysis of studies using the same outcome measure to report a specific psychological construct. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was used where measures of a psychological construct differed between studies. Subgroup analysis was conducted using Borenstein and Higgins (2013)'s protocol. Meta-analysis of data was conducted via randomeffects meta-analysis in Review Manager, version 5.3, applying generic inverse variance outcomes for crossover studies and continuous outcomes for randomised trials. Heterogeneity of effects was investigated and reported using the I 2 statistic and interpreted as representing considerable heterogeneity where values of 75% or higher were returned (Higgins et al., 2003). The chi-squared statistic was also considered with p values of ≤.10 indicating heterogeneity of the intervention effects. The lower criterion value was used due to the reduced power of chi-square where a small number of studies are included in metaanalysis (Deeks et al., 2021). The pooled mean or SMD for each psychological outcome included in the meta-analysis is reported with 95% confidence intervals. SMD is interpreted with effects of 0.2 as small, 0.5 moderate and >0.8 large (Cohen, 1998). It was not appropriate to assess publication bias via funnel plots as the tests would be underpowered to distinguish chance from real asymmetry due to the small number of studies in each metaanalysis (Page et al., 2021

iii)Experiences in outdoor reacreation among individuals with developmental disabilities ;Benefits ,contraints, and facilitators https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13668250.2022.2104449?journalCode=cjid2 0 ABSTRACT Background Individuals with developmental disabilities have specific physical and psychosocial needs that can require extra support to participate fully in and enjoy many benefits of recreation activities. Unfortunately, little is known about individuals with developmental disabilities' experiences in outdoor recreation. The purpose of this study was to explore adults with developmental disabilities’ perceived benefits of outdoor recreation, and the constraints or facilitators that affected their participation. Method Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adults with developmental disabilities. Interviews were analysed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. Results Results revealed three themes: (a) benefits of; (b) constraints to; and (c) facilitators of outdoor recreation. Benefits of outdoor recreation reported by study participants included their experiencing satisfaction, mental reprieve, empowerment, enlightenment, social connectedness, and thrill. Participants also shared intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints and facilitators related to their outdoor recreation participation. Conclusions Practical implications and future research recommendations are discussed.

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i)Wild women;the all-female outdoor activity groups https://amp.theguardian.com/travel/2023/mar/08/rise-of-all-women-outdoor-activitygroups-hiking-paddleboarding-camping Support us The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian: news website of the year Show caption Camping holidays Wild women: the rise of all-female outdoor activity groups On international women’s day, we celebrate the grassroots groups giving women the confidence to enjoy the great outdoors Phoebe Smith Wed 8 Mar 2023 07.00 GMT • Share on Facebook • Share on Twitter • Share via Email It was a little after midnight when I heard footsteps approaching my bivvy bag. Normally when wild camping, a sound like this would cause me to sink further into my sleeping bag, hoping I wouldn’t be seen. Yet that night, sleeping on a hillside on the western escarpment of the Chilterns in Buckinghamshire, there was no need – or indeed chance – to remain hidden. I was surrounded by six other women in bivvies, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “girl’s night out”.

As an adventurer and ardent solo wild camper, I have for more than 15 years been voluntarily plunging myself into the wilderness – in the UK and overseas – alone. I have never needed company on adventures. I’m not afraid of the dark, or worried about going for a pee in the middle of the night. Sleeping out solo doesn’t scare me. But wild camping in a group – especially a group of other women – terrified me. An Adventure Queens hiking group. Photograph: Jeni Smith Of the six with me that night, four had never wild camped before, while the other two were fellow adventurers Sophie Roberts and Anna McNuff. The latter would, a couple of months after our camp, officially co-found an online adventure community for women called Adventure Queens. I arrived late by train from London and tracked them down from a Google Maps pin they’d sent me from the hillside. Already the conversation was in full swing and I felt apprehensive about joining them. While the novice campers were talking about their fears of sleeping outside, I, conversely, worried about the socialising. I’ve always had more male friends than female, and in school I never really fitted in – didn’t wear makeup, didn’t enjoy shopping, and was always accused of not being “girly” enough. Yet as soon as I arrived I was welcomed into the fold. I was handed a plate of food, offered a drink and included in the conversation. There was no campfire – that would have been against the wild campers’ etiquette – but I felt unexpectedly warmed by their presence. “Adventure Queens began as a single Facebook group,” says Nadia Weigh, the current community co-lead. “We wanted to create a space for women to share ideas and exchange tips, but it has grown.” On the online chats, no one feels shy about asking how to put up a tent or deal with a period on an adventure Now there are 13,000 community members, 60 volunteers, 25 regional groups, three international ones and a mums’ group too. Not bad for something that began as a night out on a hillside for a small group of friends.

They are not the only women’s group to have seen phenomenal growth. “I didn’t come from an outdoorsy background,” says Bex Band, founder of Love Her Wild, another UK-based non-profit adventure community. “But after hiking in Israel I wanted to do more in Britain. I started a Facebook group, hoping to connect and learn skills with other like-minded women, and it just snowballed – growing massively since the pandemic. Now we have more than 50,000 Wilders spread over 40 regional groups in Britain.” After conducting a survey of members, Band found the main barriers to women getting into the outdoors are lack of confidence and concerns over safety. The women I camped out with in the Chilterns echoed these worries. Several said they would only be able to sleep knowing there was a group of us. One asked if someone would come with her if she woke up needing to pee in the night. Immediately her bivvy neighbour offered. It was a small gesture, but clearly meant a lot. The Muslim women’s group on a trip to Kosovo’s Rugova mountains last month Reading through the comments and posts on Love Her Wild and Adventure Queens now, I can see that their strength lies in the online chat. No one feels too shy to ask how to put up a tent or deal with a period on an adventure; it’s like tapping into a massive book of cheerleading contacts, instantly. Other women’s adventure communities include the Muslim Women’s Travel Group, started in 2015 by Sadia Ramzan. “Muslim women have more specific questions, such as food being halal, tolerance to wearing a hijab and being away from places that serve alcohol,” she says. “It was a great way of making friends and asking questions.” Now her Facebook group has more than 27,000 followers and she runs overseas trips – two this year are already sold out. Gutsy Girls was established five years ago by Natalie Bannister, who moved to London, felt isolated and decided to form a group on Meetup. It started with six women meeting to try standup paddleboarding in the capital, and has grown to the point where Natalie runs it fulltime. In 2022 she took 1,000 women on 400 trips in Europe, and 266 in the UK.

A Gutsy Girls paddleboarding trip to Sardinia In the Chilterns, when I woke up the next morning, just as dawn was starting to illuminate the inner green walls of my bivvy bag, Anna had already fired up the camping stove and offered me a coffee. As I sipped my brew I again felt warmed, by the gesture and the drink. Many of these groups, which also include Black Girls Hike (which started in 2019 as a walking group and has grown to become a certified training provider, offering trips overseas), have seen their membership grow by thousands, but others are choosing to remain small and simple. 'I just want to shine a light on normal, everyday women who have families, jobs and responsibilities' Sarah Gerrish started Wonderful Wild Women in 2016 when she moved back to Cumbria with her young family and didn’t have anyone to enjoy the outdoors with. She started on Instagram, inviting others to meet for coffee and, if they liked, a wild swim. This became a monthly event, along with trail runs, book club meets and skill sessions. Despite pressure to grow, especially recently, she has steadfastly decided to keep it local and free. “I just want to shine a light on normal, everyday women who have families, jobs and responsibilities,” she says. That morning on the hillside, with my first group of female campmates, we spent at least an hour talking, our conversation moving seamlessly from how to fix a leaky bivvy bag to identifying the red kites flying overhead, and complaining about the lack of trains to where we wanted to go on a Saturday. People asked me what I was doing next, and seemed to be genuinely rooting for me when I told them my goals. I had arrived a sceptic but left feeling supported. By the time we said our goodbyes, everyone was beaming – the newbies from surviving their first bivvy, the adventurers from sharing their skills, and me from finally finding a girls’ night out that could be friendly, not frightening.

ii)Academy Sports+Outdoors Announces 2023 Analyst + Investor Event https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/academy-sports--outdoors-announces-2023- analyst--investor-event-301776603.html NEWS PROVIDED BY Academy Sports + Outdoors Mar 20, 2023, 16:45 ET SHARE THIS ARTICLE KATY, Texas, March 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. ("Academy" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: ASO), a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, plans to host its first-ever Analyst + Investor Event on April 3 and 4, 2023. On April 3, 2023, Academy will conduct an afternoon store walk at a local-area store, followed by a dinner with management. On April 4, 2023, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Central Time/8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the Academy management team will present and discuss its new long-range strategy plan, at its corporate headquarters in Katy, Texas. A second store tour will be conducted on the afternoon of April 4, 2023, for those who are unable to participate in the tour on April 3, 2023. Due to limited capacity, in-person attendance at each of these events is by invitation only by the Company's investor relations team. A live webcast of the management presentation on April 4, 2023 will be accessible on the Company's website at investors.academy.com from the "News & Events" dropdown menu, under the "Events" tab. The management presentation materials will be posted promptly following the management presentation and a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website at investors.academy.com for ninety days after the event.

About Academy Sports + Outdoors Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 268 stores across 18 states. Academy's mission is to provide "Fun for All" and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers. Academy's product assortment focuses on key categories of outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com. Media inquiries: Elise Hasbrook, Vice President Communications 281.253.8200 [email protected] Investor inquiries: Matt Hodges, Vice President Investor Relations 281.646.5362 [email protected] SOURCE Academy Sports + Outdoors

iii)Large -Scale Study Reveals The True Health Benefits of Getting Outdoors More https://www.sciencealert.com/time-spent-outdoors-has-powerful-effects-on-mood-sleepmassive-study-shows HEALTH01 October 2021 ByCLARE WATSON (Cavan Images/Getty Images) Getting a daily fix of sunshine could boost your general health, with new research linking time spent outside with better mood, improved sleep and a lower lifetime risk of depression. "Getting bright light in the day is as important as avoiding light at night," says psychologist and sleep researcher Sean Cain of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, whose previous experimental studies have shown how artificial light impacts sleep and circadian rhythms. In this new observational study, Cain and colleagues looked at the effect outdoor light exposure had on sleep and moods in over 400,000 people in the UK Biobank, a large study of UK adults that collects information on everything from exercise and sleep habits to medical diagnoses and health outcomes. People had been asked about their mood, medications, and time spent outdoors on a typical day in summer and winter, amongst other things. On average, UK adultsin the study reported spending about 2.5 daylight hours outdoors, and early birds and morning people generally spent more time outside than night owls.

Past research has shown that spending time outdoors and in nature has a host of health benefits, part of which might be related to natural light being the most important environmental time cue for the body's circadian rhythms. Not getting enough of natural light could be a key factor contributing to low mood and sleep troubles which are also associated with depression, a common mood disorder and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. "Humans evolved in an environment with a clear distinction between day and night, but our modern environments have blurred this distinction," the group explainsin their paper. These days, people spend "most waking hours in intermediate, artificial lighting conditions, due to reduced sunlight exposure and relatively bright night-time light exposure." This can lead to disrupted sleep because light suppresses melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone. Previous studies from Cain and team have found that nearly half of homes in a Melbourne study had bright enough light to suppress melatonin by 50 percent, though individual sensitivities to artificial light vary dramatically. In this latest study, Cain and colleagues set about characterizing how the amount of daylight hours spent outside relates to mood, sleep, and health outcomes, something that has been studied less than the negative impacts of light at night. Getting more light anytime between dawn and dusk was associated with better mood and improved sleep, as well as lower risk of depression and less use of antidepressant medications, the analysis showed. Every additional hour of natural light was also linked to lower lifetime odds of depression, less antidepressant usage, and greater happiness. And those who reported better moods and sleep with more outdoor light tended to do so again the second time they were surveyed, on average four years later. Modelling the data in this way – for a subset of some 20,000 people – allowed the researchers to assess the effect that earlier time spent outdoors had on later mood and sleep outcomes, while controlling for stable personal habits. They also adjusted for seasonal differences, employment status, exercise, social activities and amount of sleep – all things which can impact mental health. The sunny results are somewhat expected, based on what we know about light, nature, sleep patterns and moods, but what's encouraging to see is such a sizeable study demonstrating the effects of spending more time outdoors.

That said, being an observational study that relies on people answering questions about their daily habits and health, there may be differences between people's actual and reported behavior. And, while this research suggests getting outside could help to boost mood and improve sleep, that's not so easy for everyone to do. Soaking up some sun in daylight hours is challenging for shift workers who are working against normal circadian rhythms. Waking up early before work might not be ideal for night owls and people with other chronotypes, either. Some research suggests that defying your natural body clock is not so good for mental health, according to another recentstudy analysing UK Biobank data, which found people who were misaligned from their natural body clock were more likely to report depression and have lower wellbeing. What is interesting though, is the parallel between the study findings on depression risk, antidepressant use, and the growing body of evidence suggesting that light therapy is an effective but underutilized therapy for treating depression, especially in combination with medication. The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

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i) The Mental and Physical Benefits of Getting Outdoors https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/the-mental-and-physical-benefits-ofgetting-outdoors • THE MAGAZINE • SHOP HEALTH The Mental and Physical Benefits of Getting Outdoors Learn about six ways to reconnect with nature and spice up your workout routine this summer. By Jason P. DinhJun 21, 2022 3:00 AM (Credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock) With summer arriving and COVID-19 cases rising, you might be looking for ways to exercise or relax outside. Scientists and physicians have long known that simply being outside can improve your physical and mental health. But according to Lisa Nisbet, a professor of psychology at Trent University in Canada, those of us who feel most connected with nature also reap the most benefits.

“Nature can boost people's mood, increase feelings of vitality, reduce the stress response, and help with those feelings of relaxation,” Nisbet says. “I think a lot of people underestimate how important it is for physical and mental health.” These benefits, which range from improved eyesight to decreased stress, are so impactful that some physicians have even started prescribing nature to treat patients. Melissa Lem, a medical physician and clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, is no stranger to translating the medicinal potential of the outdoors into practice. She directs PaRx, a BC Parks Foundation initiative in Canada that helps physicians improve patient outcomes by prescribing them nature. Because its benefits are so diverse, PaRxpartnered physicians can write out the prescription for virtually every condition. For example, PaRx prescribes at least 20 minutes of nature per day — the critical dose needed for effective stress relief. To help patients reach this 20-minute mark, they receive a free Parks Canada pass to access over 80 sites including national parks, monuments and marine conservation areas. “We don't just want to prescribe nature to people. We also want to make it easier for them to access it," Lem says. “I think we have to consider access to nature human right.” Luckily, the possibilities for outdoor exercise are endless. Here are six summer activities that will train your body and ease your mind. 1. Rowing (Credit: Popartic/Shutterstock) Nothing says summer like getting out on the water. Whether you’re paddling through a placid lake or rafting through whitewater rapids, rowing a boat can improve your physical and mental health. There’s a reason that CrossFitters rely on rowing for cardio – it’s a killer total body workout. Rowing builds strength and endurance. To power the paddles, you must simultaneously pull with your upper body and push with your legs. This process drives your body into anaerobic respiration and can push your heart to 90 percent of its maximal heart rate. Getting on the water can also improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. People who paddle, kayak or otherwise exercise on the water report being more relaxed, mindful and de-stressed. 2. Rock Climbing

(Credit: Antonio Olid/Shutterstock) Rock climbing is booming in popularity among millennials, accelerated by the 2018 Oscarwinning documentary “Free Solo” and the debut of rock climbing in the 2020 Olympics. The activity is exactly what it sounds like: scaling a rock face outdoors, or artificial rock walls in an indoor gym. Climbers can strap on a harness and rope (called free climbing) or scale shorter rock faces without gear (bouldering). Climbing pumps up your heart rate, stimulates blood flow, improves flexibility, enhances balance, and strengthens your arms, legs and core. And besides working your body, it also exercises your mind; even before a climb, you must “read” the rock face and solve a 3D puzzle to determine how to reach the summit. Some climbers report that the skills they learn while rock climbing help them solve problems elsewhere in their lives. In today’s heyday of indoor rock climbing, even urbanites can get in on the fun. Climbing gyms tend to be located in mid-sized and large cities, with more than 590 climbing facilities open in the U.S. as of 2021. According to the market research company IBISWorld, the indoor climbing industry is expected to grow by more than 8 percent in 2022. 3. Hiking (Credit: Diego Cervo/Shutterstock) Hiking is an affordable and relaxing way to reach your daily steps goal. Tromping through the woods has been linked to improved immune function, decreased blood pressure and

decreased risk for chronic diseases like diabetes. Additionally, getting outside and reconnecting with nature has been shown to decrease stress and depression. Investments into greenspaces increase access to hiking and greenery both in the wilderness and in cities. For example, in 2018, the U.S. National Park Service released a Healthy Parks Healthy People 5-year plan to push people into parks. The program’s chief, Diana Allen, believes that hiking in national parks can improve all facets of life. “We take a holistic approach to health, recognizing that we're promoting people's physical, mental and spiritual health, social well-being and the health of the planet,” she says. “It's the interconnection of the health of people and the health of parks that we're upholding.” Even cities are prioritizing walkable greenspaces like the Atlanta BeltLine or the New York High Line to encourage urbanites to get outdoors. Whether you’re next to public wilderness or overlooking New York City’s Central Park, try hopping on a trail to keep you and your Fitbit happy. 4. Gardening (Credit: Kostenko Maxim/Shutterstock) Gardening has widespread benefits for the body, providing moderate to vigorous physical activity, improving mental well-being and even supporting a healthy diet. The pastime can improve hand strength, relieve pain and improve overall physical health for older adults. But tending to the land isn’t just for the elderly; kids can also benefit, especially in community gardens. For kids in at-risk neighborhoods, community gardening has proven to be a helpful tool for building relationships, connecting to the community and developing teamwork skills. Community gardens also benefit the community as a whole, especially in low-income areas. They stabilize neighborhoods, grow the economy and improve health and recreational activity for neighbors. Bringing home a bag of fresh, hearty vegetables is just the cherry — or carrot — on top. 5. Scuba Diving

(Credit: Rostislav Ageev/Shutterstock) Swimming, one of the best forms of aerobic exercise, improves your cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. And unlike running, it’s easy on the joints; that means you can reap the benefits of aerobic exercise without the wear-and-tear on your knees and back. Scuba divers, however, also carry heavy gear while swimming. Normal dive tanks weigh about 33 pounds, and divers often carry dive weights to control their buoyancy. In the same way that heavy backpacks burden hikers on overnight camping trips, dive gear pushes your strength more than a casual swim would. Notably, scuba diving combines these physical benefits of swimming with mindful breathing practices. A UK-based study showed that the activity reduced anxiety, improved sleep and even alleviated the chronic pain for military veterans who were injured in combat. The researchers concluded that these mental health benefits stem from the deep focus and feeling of weightlessness that divers experience underwater. 6. Surfing (Credit: Dane Gillett/Shutterstock) Surfing is a fun and adventurous way to improve your endurance, strength and mental health. It’s a vigorous, full-body workout that can drive your heart rate to 85 percent of its maximal value. Surfers use their core and upper body to jump into a standing position and their legs to balance while riding the wave; not to mention the constant paddling against powerful

waves. Pilot studies of surfing therapy programs have shown that surfing can improve upper body strength, core strength and cardiovascular endurance, especially in children with disabilities. Additionally, surfing can promote mental health and emotional well-being. Several studies have shown that surfing regularly for two to three months can enhance social development, relaxation and self-confidence. Participants in a 2018 study published in the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning even reported that the activity improved relationships with their friends and their outlook on school. Catch some waves if you get the chance — your body and mind will thank you later. • wellness • human body • mental health • personal health

ii)Enjoy All The Health Benefits Of Outdoor Recreational Activities https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/health-wellbeing/enjoy-all-the-healthbenefits-of-outdoor-recreational-activities/ Outdoor activities have been linked to increased fitness and cardiovascular functioning, reduced obesity and lower blood pressure. By LLM Reporters | May 11, 2022 Spending time outdoors brings with it a host of benefits when it comes to health – both physical and mental – and reconnecting with nature has been linked with an increased sense of wellbeing and calm, making going for that morning stroll or taking a dip in the sea a great remedy when you’re feeling in need of a boost. Fresh air and sunlight are two of the most powerful ingredients that come into play when it comes to the restorative benefits of spending time in nature, and researchers have also discovered that when people make the effort to get outside more often, they tend to exercise more, eat better, and experience less stress overall. So, if you’re one of the millions of people around the world who find themselves chained to their desks for hours on end each day and struggle to make time for an outdoor break, then taking just a few minutes a day to sip your coffee out in the garden, making a concerted effort to take a weekend walk in woodland could make a huge difference to your quality of life in more ways than one. One of the best ways to spend more time outdoors is to take up a new hobby or sport. Find something you enjoy, and it won’t feel like a chore – plus, you’ll soon find yourself reaping the benefits of the increased movement and exposure to fresh air, the elements and nature. Here, we take a look at how to get started, with guidance from the experts at VidaXL – an online store where you can find everything from furniture, and home and garden supplies to toys and games – as well as a whole host of quality sporting equipment designed to get you moving.

Fresh air and sunlight are two of the most powerful ingredients that come into play when it comes to the restorative benefits of spending time in nature The right tools for the job At this time of year, the warmer weather certainly makes it more pleasant to spend an increased amount of time outdoors, and the summer months are the perfect time to engage in a casual game of rounders or cricket with friends and family, or to join a sports club or team to make it more of a regular thing. Tennis is a great option, as is basketball – but you’ll of course need to ensure you have the right equipment before you start. The good news is that tennis racquets, basketballs and cricket bats, as well as any other items you might need, are readily available from sports suppliers online, so you won’t need to go out of your way to search for them. Stores like vidaXL offer a wide variety of sporting goods, including equipment such as bats, balls and nets, as well as protective gear like helmets, specialist shoes and protective pads. Protective gear is necessary for any kind of sport, competitive or not, as the same kinds of risks apply in both cases. Helmets, knee padding, and mouthguards should be used whenever you participate in sports activities, particularly outdoor pursuits like hockey, baseball, rugby and American football, where either hard balls are used or contact is increased As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with sporting equipment, so be prepared to invest in quality and luxury and you’re certain to notice the difference. Wellmade items will last for longer, so it’s worth parting with the extra cash for them. “At vidaXL, we are constantly expanding our product range with new items so that we can offer our customers the best possible selection of products at the best prices,” said a spokesperson at Vida XL. “We work with the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers to bring you the highest quality products, and are committed to providing our customers with the best possible shopping experience, so we are always looking for ways to improve our service.”

One of the best ways to spend more time outdoors is to take up a new hobby or sport vidaXL offers outdoor recreation for everyone From camping and fishing to hiking and biking, there are countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors, immerse yourself in nature, spend time with family and friends, and stay active. If you’re planning a trip away in the natural environment, there are some easy ways you can make the most of the outdoor recreation. Be sure to research the area where you’ll be going, as knowing the terrain, climate, and local wildlife will help you to prepare – whether you’re looking for the perfect glamping or camping spot, or looking to plan a hike. Be sure to always pack enough food and water, too, and be prepared for changing weather conditions, as these can quickly catch you off guard if not and on occasion, put you at risk. It’s always important to practice safety precautions when participating in outdoor activities. Wear the proper clothing and gear, and never go alone if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Outdoor recreation Given that outdoor recreation can reduce stress and anxiety levels, improve mental health and wellbeing and boost focus and concentration when it’s time to work, there are plenty of reasons to get out there this summer and immerse yourself in nature. Taking up a sport or hobby is a great way to reap the benefits whilst improving your physical health, too – so why not make the time to try something new this weekend? FacebookTwitterFlipboard

iii)Here’s What Being Outside Can Do for Your Health https://time.com/5539942/green-space-health-wellness/ • HEALTH • MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCHOLOGY • SPENDING JUST 20 MINUTES IN A PARK MAKES YOU HAPPIER. HERE'S WHAT ELSE BEING OUTSIDE CAN DO FOR YOUR HEALTH Getty Images BY JAMIE DUCHARME FEBRUARY 28, 2019 3:02 PM EST S pending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, is one of the fastest ways to improve your health and happiness. It’s been shown to lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate, while encouraging physical activity and buoying mood and mental health. Some research even suggests that green space is associated with a lower risk of developing psychiatric disorders — all findings that doctors are increasingly taking seriously and relaying to their patients. Now, a new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research adds to the evidence and shows just how little time it takes to get the benefits of being outside. Spending just 20 minutes in a park — even if you don’t

exercise while you’re there — is enough to improve well-being, according to the research. White House Admits Mistakes in Afghanistan Withdrawal, While Also Blaming Trump For the study, researchers surveyed 94 adults who visited one of three urban parks near Birmingham over the summer and fall. They were given fitness trackers to measure physical activity but were not told what to do in the park or how long to stay. Each person also answered questions about their life satisfaction and mood — which were used to calculate a subjective well-being score, with a maximum value of 55 — before and after their park visit. The average park visit lasted 32 minutes, and 30% of people engaged in at least moderate-intensity physical activity while there. Well-being scores rose during the park visit in 60% of people, with an average increase of about 1.5 points (from about 37 to 39). Get our Health Newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest health and science news, plus answers to wellness questions and expert tips. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Physical activity was not necessary to increase well-being, the study authors found, even though plenty of research suggests that exercise is great for mental health, particularly when it’s done outside. For many people in the study, simply being in green space seemed to be enough to spark a change, says study co-author Hon Yuen, director of research in the occupational therapy department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 7 Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise 0 seconds of 2 minutes, 16 secondsVolume 0%

“Some people may go to the park and just enjoy nature. It’s not that they have to be rigorous in terms of exercise,” Yuen says. “You relax and reduce stress, and then you feel more happy.” The medical community is increasingly viewing green space as a place for their patients to reap physical and mental health benefits. Some physicians, like Dr. Robert Zarr, a pediatrician in Washington, D.C., are even writing prescriptions for it. These “nature prescriptions” — therapies that are redeemable only outdoors, in the fresh air of a local park — advise patients to spend an hour each week playing tennis, for instance, or to explore all the soccer fields near their home. The scripts are recorded in his patients’ electronic health records. “There’s a paradigm shift in the way we think about parks: not just as a place to recreate, but literally as a prescription, a place to improve your health,” says Zarr, who writes up to 10 park prescriptions per day. In 2017 he founded Park Rx America to make it easier for health professionals to write park prescriptions for people of all ages, particularly those with obesity, mental-health issues or chronic conditions like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. By writing nature prescriptions — alongside pharmaceutical prescriptions, when necessary — physicians are encouraging their patients to get outdoors and take advantage of what many view to be free medicine. The specificity that comes with framing these recommendations as prescriptions, Zarr says, motivates his patients to actually do them. “It’s something to look forward to and to try to feel successful about,” he says. In 2018, NHS Shetland, a government-run hospital system in Scotland, began allowing doctors at 10 medical practices to write nature prescriptions that promote outdoor activities as a routine part of patient care. And in recent years, organizations with the goal of getting people outside for their health have proliferated in the U.S. The