PE 4: Recreational Activities

Handouts for Monthly Exam

What is Recreation?
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something
for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology.[2] Recreational
activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun".
The term recreation appears to have been used in English first in the late 14th century, first in
the sense of "refreshment or curing of a sick person",[3] and derived turn from Latin (re:
"again", creare: "to create, bring forth, beget.).
Humans spend their time in activities of daily living, work, sleep, social duties, and leisure, the
latter time being free from prior commitments to physiologic or social needs,[4] a prerequisite of
recreation. Leisure has increased with increased longevity and, for many, with decreased hours
spent for physical and economic survival, yet others argue that time pressure has increased for
modern people, as they are committed to too many tasks.[5] Other factors that account for an
increased role of recreation are affluence, population trends, and increased commercialization
of recreational offerings.
Recreation is difficult to separate from the general concept of play, which is usually the term for
children's recreational activity. Children may playfully imitate activities that reflect the realities of
adult life. It has been proposed that play or recreational activities are outlets of or expression of
excess energy, channeling it into socially acceptable activities that fulfill individual as well as
societal needs, without need for compulsion, and providing satisfaction and pleasure for the
participant.[8] A traditional view holds that work is supported by recreation, recreation being
useful to "recharge the battery" so that work performance is improved.

Benefits

Personal Health and Wellness. Participation in both structured and unstructured

recreational, sport and cultural activities improves physical, psychological and emotional
health. Recreation services foster social, intellectual, physical and emotional development.
Participation in recreation, sport and cultural activities can reduce self-destructive behavior.

Strong Communities. Parks, trails, recreation facilities, programs and community cultural
and sporting events are key factors in strengthening communities through social interaction,
volunteerism, civic pride and aesthetics.

Safe Communities. Through collaborative planning, recreational facilities, programs and

services are designed to reduce criminal activity.

Community Leadership. Volunteers and professionals work together to sustain services

and facilities, thereby solving community problems and building leaders for the future.
 Social Inclusion. Recreation increases cultural unity through experiences that promote
cultural understanding and celebrate diversity. Equitable access to recreation for all citizens
also fosters inclusive and vibrant communities.

Economic Development. Parks, recreation programs and facilities, community sporting

events and cultural activities attract and retain businesses and families, as well as attract
tourists, and increase property values. Recreation creates jobs and generates income for the
community and for local businesses. Recreation also provides youth with opportunities for
engagement, employment and skill development.

Environmental Sustainability. By acquiring, protecting and managing valuable open

spaces, trails, natural features and culturally important assets, recreation supports
environmental sustainability. Parks, trails and natural areas contribute to the reduction of
greenhouse gases, improve air quality and lessen the effects of urban heat islands. In
addition, research has shown that access to natural, undeveloped, spaces has a dramatic
and positive impact on our physical and mental well-being.

Types of Recreational activities and examples

1. Indoor activities are also a part of the recreation program. The word literally tells us that
indoor recreation activities are undertaken on the comfort of one’s home or more specifically
indoor and they are to recreate the mind and soul. For such indoor recreation activities there
are well-established clubs or recreation centers that have well-equipped indoor leisure
facilities, which cater for sports activities for all ages and abilities. Such clubs or recreation
centers offer a varied program of activities throughout the year.

Examples
 Martial Arts
 Home Treadmills
 Bowling
 Billiards
 Table Tennis
 Cards
 Cooking
 Art works
 Sewing (crochet)

2. Outdoor activities, Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to leisure pursuits

engaged in the outdoors, often in natural or semi-natural settings out of town.Outdoor recreation
may also refer to a team sport game or practice held in an outdoor setting. When the recreation
involves excitement, physical challenge, or risk. The two primary purposes for outdoor
recreation are beneficial use and pleasurable appreciation. it is sometimes referred to
as adventure recreation.

Examples
 adventure
 racing
 backpacking
 cycling
 camping
 canoeing
 canyoneering
 caving
 disc golf
 fishing
 hiking
 horseback riding
 hunting,
 kayaking
 rock climbing
 running
 sailing
 skiing
 surfing
 ATV riding