Eddie Hill

Energy balance during backpacking.

Energy expenditure and energy intake were determined in three subjects during a 160-kilometer backpacking trip. Prior to the trip, heart rate and oxygen consumption during treadmill walking while carrying a backpack were measured. Subjects recorded heart rate during hiking. Heart rate was used to estimate energy expenditure based on the heart rate : oxygen consumption relationship (Heart Rate Method). Expenditure was also estimated from distance walked and elevation gained (Terrain Method). Subjects recorded food consumption, and were weighed upon finishing the hike. Mean heart rate during hiking was 105 +/- 12 beats per minute. According to the Heart Rate Method, net expenditure averaged 3410 +/- 955 kilocalories on days 1 - 4, and 2586 +/- 974 kilocalories on day 5. Net expenditure from the Terrain Method was approximately 28 % lower. Gross expenditure, using the Heart Rate Method, averaged 4928 +/- 1050 kilocalories on days 1 - 4, and 3550 +/- 1052 kilocalories on day 5. Energy intake averaged 2134 +/- 625 kilocalories on days 1 - 4, and 1117 +/- 320 kilocalories on day 5. Expected weight loss due to the caloric deficit was 1.8 +/- 0.4 kilograms, and actual weight loss was 1.7 +/- 0.6 kilograms. Subjects expended nearly 5000 kilocalories per day and did not consume sufficient food to maintain body mass.

Urban parks and psychological sense of community.

Abstract Parks and other urban natural spaces are increasingly becoming recognized as valuable for supporting socially healthier urban communities. Currently, however, there remains a relative shortage of empirical research specifically evaluating the relationship. This study explores psychological sense of community (PSOC) and its relationship to urban parks, using survey data collected in Norfolk, Virginia. Regression, t-test, and chi square analyses were used to examine how park use frequency and proximity are related to overall PSOC and its components. Our findings suggest that park use has a relationship to PSOC among respondents in our sample. More significantly for park planners and managers, our results also suggest that the presence of nearby parks, regardless of visitation, also has a positive relationship to PSOC.

Hosting Triathlons on a College Campus: Perceived Health Outcomes and Satisfaction

Multisport, endurance racing, and obstacle racing (e.g., Spartan Run) have gained significant traction recently (Case, Hill, & Dey, 2009; Hill, Ridinger, Shapiro, & G.mez, 2012). In fact, youth participation in triathlon is at an all-time high (USA Triathlon, 2015). On any given weekend, triathlon events are being held in communities throughout the United States. Hundreds of triathlons are held at local, regional, and national levels. The sport of triathlon has grown to the point that international competitions are held worldwide and every 4 years world-class triathletes compete for medals at the Olympic Games. In 2014, women’s triathlon became an NCAA sport, and in December 2015, the

Family Diabetes Camp: Fostering Resiliency Among Campers and Parents

2.6 million USA Triathlon Foundation Women’s Triathlon Emerging Sport Grant became a reality (USA Triathlon, 2018). However, little research exists on smaller, more accessible triathlons held in college-based communities. Subscribe to JOREL

Flourishing through Resilience: The Impact of a College Outdoor Education Program

Youth with diabetes frequently have limited access to traditional camps because of the need for accessible medical staff. With organized camping becoming more specialized with regard to meeting the needs of youth, there is an increased interest in developing and examining the efficacy of programs that serve individuals in specific illness groups, such as youth with type 1 diabetes. In a collaborative effort between a local university, a diabetes center of a local hospital, and the Lions Club, a diabetes camp was created to assist youth in the management of their diabetes. Data were collected over the 3-day family diabetes camp through three approaches: a pre- and post-program resiliency-based questionnaire, the 14-item Camper Learning Scale, and open-ended questions for parents of children with diabetes who were involved in camp. Wilcoxon t tests were used to analyze any differences between pre- and post-program scores on resiliency. The results indicated a positive increase of parents’ perceptions of their child’s resiliency (Z = –1.833, P = 0.67). Findings from the Camper Learner Scale indicated that 77.14% of campers felt they “learned a little” or “learned a lot” about crucial youth development outcomes (e.g., independence). Finally, direct content analysis of the qualitative measures indicated several themes among parent respondents, which were generalized into three categories: motivation, community, and challenges. Diabetes camps and family diabetes camps have a great opportunity to address some of the challenges young people face while living with the second most common chronic illness facing youth.

Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS): Reliability, Validity and Invariance.

A growing number of industries and organizations are developing initiatives that focus on and prioritize well-being. Among them are institutions of higher education. As Rogers and Lucas (2016) pointed out, “we are increasingly seeing universities around the world take on the challenge of moving beyond only measuring outcomes related to academic and career success and expanding the scope of their responsibility to include students’ well-being and their capacity to build lives of vitality, resilience, purpose, and engagement.” Documented benefits of recreation, and in particular outdoor recreation, are numerous and include physiological benefits as well as an array of mental health benefits, such as reduction in stress and incidence of depressive symptoms, enhanced well-being, and increased peer support (e.g., Maller et al., 2015; Orsega-Smith, Mowen, Payne, & Godbey, 2004; Townsend, Pryor, Brown & St Leger, 2005). Many outdoor education programs are intentionally designed to utilize the myriad inherent physical, emotional, and mental challenges in order to achieve certain desired outcomes such as well-being (e.g., Sibthorp, Paisley, & Gookin, 2007). Participants from this study enrolled in a 13-day college outdoor education program completed a survey to measure resilience and mental health at the start and conclusion of the program. Resilience was measured using Wagnild and Young’s (1993) Resilience Scale (RS), and the Mental Health Continuum Short Form was used to measure the three domains of well-being (Keyes, 2009). A total of 132 participants completed the surveys over the three-year period ( N = 42 in 2011, N = 44 in 2012, and N = 46 in 2013). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to determine if participation in the outdoor education program impacted participants’ perceived level of psychological resilience and perceived mental health. Results revealed statistically significant gains from pre-course to post-course on psychological resilience, and the overall mental health well-being measure significantly increased.There is an increased felt need on many college campuses to address student flourishing, resilience, commitment to the university and overall success. In recent years, colleges and universities have sought innovative programming ideas to address these student needs. As budgets tighten and programs undergo greater scrutiny recreation professionals (e.g., outdoor programs, recreation and wellness departments) working on college campus are finding an increasing need to demonstrate the outcomes of their program success and impact. Likewise, as a profession, we are in need of more evidence-based practice. College programs are in a prime position to use the momentum of the “outdoor interest” to elevate their impact through research and partnerships. Subscribe to JPRA

First Landing State Park: Participation Patterns and Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation at an Urban-Proximate Park

ABSTRACT This study examined the psychometric properties of the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS). Data for PHORS were collected from three different trail sites (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and First Landing State Park) during three separate time periods, allowing for cross-validation and invariance testing. Exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and invariance testing procedures were conducted. The results indicate that PHORS, with 13 items across three underlying factors, showed high reliability and strong evidences of validity. Full configural and metric invariance indicated the factor loading pattern. The measurement properties of PHORS were generally invariant across recreation participants using different trails, situating PHORS as a potential instrument that can be used in various outdoor recreation trail settings.

The Development and Validation of the Leave No Trace PEAK Assessment Scale (PAS)

Executive Summary: Former Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne (2007), acknowledged the role National Parks should play in health and fitness: “National parks will be part of the solution to reduce obesity, chronic illness, and adult-onset diabetes” (p. 12). However, given the increase in urbanization and population diversity, we have turned our focus to an urban-proximate state park. First Landing State Park (FLSP) in Virginia Beach includes 2,888 acres of land, 20 miles of trails, and is situated in the most populated city in Virginia. Little research exists on the perceived health benefits of urban park trail users.The purpose of this study was to explore demographic variables and perceived health benefits of urban park trail users by using the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS) at FLSP. Similar to Tinsley and Croskey’s (2002) investigation, rather than focus on the activities and activity preferences, we looked at perceived psychosocial benefits derived from the activities.This research study considered (a) gender differences, (b) racial group differences, (c) age difference, (d) residential differences, and (e) trail user types as they related to perceived health benefits and park use. A total of 307 questionnaires were completed, with a response rate of 66.3%. However, because the focus of this study is on urban recreation, visitors from outside of Hampton Roads were removed, leaving 84% of responses ( n =258) for the purposes of this study. Analyses included t -tests, ANOVAs and regression. This study reveals the critical role of urban-proximate parks in providing opportunities for wellness, access to nature, social justice, and improved quality of life. It also provided multiple key insights into the demographics and perceived health benefits of urban visitors to the most visited state park in Virginia. Gomez and Malega (2007) had called for more studies to explore the relationship between perceived benefits of recreation and park use. This study answered that call and found, of the three perceived benefits captured by the PHORS (psychological benefits, improvement benefits, prevention benefits), perceived realization of a psychological outcome was the only significant predictor of park use. According to Kil and colleagues, “little knowledge exists on wildland urban interface user groups’ perceived benefits” (p. 377). It is our hope that we have begun to address this gap in the literature, calling for more studies of this nature.

Autonomy support at diabetes camp: a self determination theory approach to therapeutic recreation.

<p> The <i>Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics</i> developed the <i>Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids (PEAK)</i> program to teach children the seven <i>Leave No Trace</i> principles. The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for <i>Leave No Trace</i> to assess the effectiveness of the <i>PEAK</i> program. Quantitative analyses of the data were used to determine the psychometric properties of the <i>PEAK</i> Assessment Scale (PAS) and children’s knowledge of the <i>Leave No Trace</i> principles before and after participation in the <i>PEAK</i> program. Results supported the use of the PAS as a sound measurement tool for assessing the <i>PEAK</i> program. </p>