The Effect of Outdoor Recreational Areas on Public Health: A Systematic Review

Year 2024, Volume: 3 Issue: 3, 38 - 46

Nurullah Emir Ekinci

https://doi.org/10.70007/yalovaspor.1552808

Abstract

This systematic review aims to assess studies over the past five years (2018–2023) regarding the influence of outdoor recreation areas on public health. We aggregated data from a study encompassing 18 articles in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, utilizing the keywords "open-air recreation areas," "public health," "physical health," "mental health," and "social well-being." Research indicates that outdoor recreational areas enhance mental health by reducing stress, foster social relationships among neighbors, and promote physical health by encouraging exercise. We advocate for the utilization of longitudinal and experimental designs in forthcoming studies to improve our understanding of the beneficial impacts of these domains on public health. A comprehensive analysis of the health effects of outdoor recreational areas necessitates a more in-depth examination of environmental and socioeconomic factors, alongside an increased volume of research targeting varied demographic groups.

Keywords

Outdoor recreation areas, Public health, Physical and mental health

Açık Hava Rekreasyon Alanlarının Halk Sağlığı Üzerindeki Etkisi: Sistematik Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Bu sistematik derleme, açık hava rekreasyon alanlarının halk sağlığı üzerindeki etkisine ilişkin son beş yılda (2018-2023) yapılan çalışmaları değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. PubMed, Scopus ve Web of Science veri tabanlarında “açık hava rekreasyon alanları”, “halk sağlığı”, “fiziksel sağlık”, “ruh sağlığı” ve “sosyal refah” anahtar kelimelerini kullanarak 18 makaleyi kapsayan bir çalışmadan elde edilen verileri bir araya getirdik. Araştırmalar, açık hava rekreasyon alanlarının stresi azaltarak ruh sağlığını iyileştirdiğini, komşular arasında sosyal ilişkileri geliştirdiğini ve egzersizi teşvik ederek fiziksel sağlığı desteklediğini göstermektedir. Bu alanların halk sağlığı üzerindeki faydalı etkilerine dair anlayışımızı geliştirmek için gelecek çalışmalarda boylamsal ve deneysel tasarımların kullanılmasını savunuyoruz. Açık hava rekreasyon alanlarının sağlık üzerindeki etkilerinin kapsamlı bir analizi, çevresel ve sosyoekonomik faktörlerin daha derinlemesine incelenmesini ve çeşitli demografik grupları hedef alan araştırma hacminin artırılmasını gerektirmektedir.

Keywords

Açık hava rekreasyon alanları, Halk sağlığı, Fiziksel ve ruhsal sağlık

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