Rationale
BOSS – Benefits of Outdoor Sports for Societies
Prior to this project, there was no agreed methodology to provide clear, empirical and comparable evidence for the value of the social benefits of outdoor sport participation programmes at a European or international level. The project showed that investment in outdoor sport brings about clear socio-economic benefits that are measurable.
This project provided policy makers including the EU Sport Unit, with sound economic reasons for investment in (outdoor) sport opportunities that help to meet the European policies in the field of sport.
Objectives
1. To undertake research on evidence of the social values that outdoor sports create through a systematic literature review and ensure a common language when examining outdoor sports benefits
2. To develop an appropriate model for measuring the value of social values of outdoor sports
3. To create baseline data on indicators measuring the social values of outdoor sports.
4. To collect existing mechanisms to qualify and quantify social values generated by investments on outdoor sports.
5. Using the methodology developed, to test the veracity and practical usability of the methodology and create a series of case studies across Europe that demonstrates the social value associated with a range of outdoor sport projects.
6. To create a toolkit that ensures that the project outputs are replicable and can be further utilised by other organisations.
Outputs
1. Definition of outdoor sports
One of the first things that the project did was to confirm and update the NOS’ definition of outdoor sports (for the purposes of the project). This was as follows:
For the purposes of this project, outdoor sports have been defined as activities that are normally carried out with a (strong) relation to nature and landscape and the core aim is dealing with natural elements rather than with an object
– where the natural setting is perceived by users, as at most, only minimally modified by human beings*
– that are perceived as (at least minimally) physical demanding
– that are based on man or natural element power and are not motorized during the sport itself
– that may use some form of tool (for example a surf board, bicycle, skis etc.) or just involve the human body
– It may include activities that have their roots in natural places but use artificial structures designed to replicate the natural environment.
* does not have to be wild, just perceived as natural.
2. Research findings
Within the process, 17,560 studies were screened, with 133 relevant publications selected and summarized. Data extraction was done by standardized forms and a very strong evidence base was created that a broad range of quantifiable and qualifiable benefits can be accrued from outdoor sports were evidenced. Reports into these findings were published as separate documents and have become extremely valuable standalone publications. The findings were also published in a scientific paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) and formed a chapter to a book on Physical Activity in Natural Settings: Green and Blue Exercise (ISBN 9781138894310).
Process model for measuring the impact of outdoor sports initiatives created
Following the research phase and through a significant level of discussion, development and review, a logic model was created that showcases the process required to quantify the benefits of outdoor sports using empirical systems. A process model was also developed to show seven-stages to calculating social value.
3. Toolkit and other resources
A final toolkit with an associated question bank for surveys was produced and widely disseminated.
From the research phase of the project there were 3 reports created. The level of information generated by the systematic review was extensive and so there was a summary report, a full report and a table of all the studies with key information.
The final output from the project was the toolkit with an associated question bank to help others determine what can be measured using surveys suggested in the toolkit. Also an excel sheet is available that helps others analyse answers from the survey questions.
Partners
- CREPS Rhône-Alpes (France) – lead partner.
- Technical University Munich – TUM (Germany)
- Sheffield Hallam University (UK)
- The National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski” (Bulgaria)
- Sport Northern Ireland (UK)
- Union Nationale des Centres Sportifs de Plein Air – UCPA (France)
- The National Institute for Physical Education in Catalonia – INEFC (Spain)
- Fédération Internationale de Tourisme Equestre – FITE (France)
- Surf Club (or Municipality of) Viana (Portugal)
- Regione Lombardia (Italy)
Impact
The BOSS project has for the very first time brought together all the relevant evidence gathered from academic studies in the last 15 years on outdoor sports. This significant body of evidence is of the utmost importance when developing policy as it shows that outdoor sports make a significant contribution to the social well-being of individuals and society. Furthermore, the EU Special Barometer on sport provides evidence that most people who participate regularly do so in parks and the outdoors and so investment and policy development to facilitate and empower more people to participate makes social and economic sense.
The strongest and increasing body of evidence from the BOSS project showed that mental well-being is significantly improved by being active in nature. The World Health Organisation has indicated that mental, neurological and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of the non-fatal disease and costs the global economy over 1 trillion US dollars in productivity. Therefore policy development to support increased participation in outdoor sports can significantly improve levels of mental well-being.
Another important benefit that the BOSS project evidenced was that of developing a sense of community. The EU work programme for sport has highlighted that a focus on social inclusion and improved societal cohesion are critical facets of sports development and policy. While there was strong evidence for this sense of community and active citizenship within the academic research, the 12 case studies accentuated these findings significantly with nearly all participants commenting on new friendships and sense of belonging.
As individual nations and the EU are becoming more acutely aware of issues associated with the environmental crisis and sustainability, BOSS provides evidence that outdoor sports connect people to nature and the environment and encourages a greater sense of environmental responsibility.
The toolkit from the project has been widely disseminated though the partner countries’ networks but also through the wider European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS). This network has existing strong connections with policy makers across the breadth of Europe and therefore the impact of this project has not only been significant for the partners but has also reached a very wide audience.
