Physical Recreation and Play
What is leisure time?
What affects whether people use their leisure time in an active way?
What are the characteristics and objectives of physical recreation and play?
Leisure time Play, physical recreation and sport
Characteristics
 ‘Spare time’ during which you choose what to do- Personal Choice
 Available once all other commitments are completed
 E.g. Going to school ,part-time job, homework etc
 Various ways to spend it
 Some choose to relax
 Some look for excitement and danger
Objectives
 Benefits to individual
Socialising
Relaxation
 Relaxation, Socialising and improved fitness
 Benefits to society
 Social and racial mixing, civilises society
and encourages conformity (reducing crime)
 Difficult to separate as improved fitness level
of an individual will reduce demands on NHS
Social and
racial
mixing
Benefits
of
leisure
Encourages
conformity
/ reduces
crime
Civilises
society
Improves
fitness
Leisure time cont.
Play, Physical recreation and sport
Factors affecting participation in leisure activities
 Socioeconomic status
 Disposable income and free time
 Stereotyping
 Traditional view limiting participation e.g. Female bodybuilder or male dancer
 Disability
 Availability of specialised facilities and coaching
 Age
 Activities seen as being suitable for certain people e.g. Only young people go skateboarding
 Ethnicity
 Less emphasis placed on leisure than educational achievement or religious observances
 Lack of facilities
 Poor quality of facilities despite necessary income and free time
Physical recreation
Characteristics
Recreation is defined as the active aspect of leisure time
 Voluntarily entered into during free time- Personal Choice
 Focus on participation- not results
 Flexible
 Rules, duration and space used
 Available to all
Benefits
 To individual
 To society
 Stress relief

Community integration
 Relax and unwind

 Meet new people
Less strain on NHS

Crime reduction

Employment opportunities

Economic benefits
 Do something you are proud of- self fulfilment
 Improved health and fitness
Play
Characteristics

Fun- designed for enjoyment

Spontaneous- spur of the moment decision

Simple and childlike

Flexible

Self administered- participants in control

Simple equipment- ‘Jumpers for goalposts’
Objectives
For a Child

Mastering Reality
 Social skills- making friends
 Physical skills- co-ordination
 Emotional skills- accepting defeat
 Environmental skills- safety awareness
 Cognitive skills- decision making
 Moral skills- fair play
For an Adult
•
Escaping from reality
•
Relaxation